Brian Moran, 20, is still on the lam.

WINNIPEG - Two inmates were accidentally released from the Headingley Correctional Centre in a two-day span this week.

One is back in custody, while the other was still on the lam Friday.

Police are still looking for 20-year-old Brian Moran, who was released in error Wednesday after returning to the Headingley jail following a court appearance.

"I don't know whose fault it was," said Crown prosecutor Mike Desautels. "They were under the impression he had bail."

Winnipeg police asked for the public's help Friday in nabbing Moran, who is described as aboriginal, about 6-foot-4, 270 pounds with tattoos on his hands and neck.

Moran is awaiting trial for his alleged role in a January 2008 shooting incident on the Chief Peguis Trail bridge that injured one person.

Desautels said the confusion might relate to the fact Moran pleaded guilty Wednesday to some breaches and was sentenced to time served, but was still supposed to be in custody on the shooting charge.

Meanwhile, a second man has been charged with escaping lawful custody after he was released from Headingley on Tuesday, also by mistake.

Trevor John Ballantyne, who has outstanding charges for assaults, a sexual assault and failures to comply with court conditions, was accidentally released Tuesday due to a clerical error but was taken back into custody Thursday.

A Crown prosecutor working on the case said Ballantyne reported to his probation officer while he was out of jail earlier this week.

The prosecutor said the escaping charge was laid against Ballantyne because he ought to have known he wasn't supposed to walk free, especially given that he was scheduled to apply for bail Friday.

A spokesman for Manitoba Justice said both Ballantyne's and Moran's releases were due to human error.

At least six people have been released accidentally from Manitoba prisons so far this year.

Tory justice critic Kelvin Goertzen said that's symptomatic of overcrowded facilities, adding each incident should be publicly disclosed, which is not currently the case.

Justice Minister Andrew Swan was unavailable for comment Friday.

paul.turenne@sunmedia.ca