At least 34 other prisoners remain on the run after the mass breakout from Buimo Prison in Lae on Friday.
PNG media are reporting that the breakout occurred when some inmates pretended to be sick and were escorted by others to the clinic.
The newspaper The National reported that inmates overpowered guards at the compound gate when it was opened to allow supposedly sick inmates to pass through.
PNG's Correctional Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis confirmed the vast majority of those who escaped were detainees on remand.