NSW opposition slams mental health system

Killers are walking out of mental health facilities unchecked because the system suffers from "systemic failures", the NSW opposition claims.

Trent Jennings, 26, escaped last week from a psychiatric facility where he was detained for killing his gay lover during a drug-fuelled romp in 2003.

After five days on the run, he was arrested at Byron Bay on Wednesday.

Opposition Leader John Robertson called on the government to immediately overhaul the system and put Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham in charge.

He would be responsible for those who pass through the court system deemed in need of psychiatric treatment.

"(This would) make sure that proper security is put in place and we don't see killers like this walk out the doors the way this has happened," Mr Robertson told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

"Corrective Services ought to be responsible for monitoring these facilities, monitoring the movements of all these people who find themselves, like Jennings, on day release."

Acting Police Minister Brad Hazzard said authorities were now on high alert for others trying to bypass the system.

"I believe the same problem would be unlikely to occur," he told AAP.

"But that's why the premier has asked for an urgent report to try and take out the lessons that need to be learnt and apply the changes if any are necessary."

Police charged Jennings with visiting the Zetland home of a 50-year-old man he met online while he was on day leave on December 29.

He allegedly assaulted the man, tied him up and stole his car before returning to the mental health facility in Morisset, near Lake Macquarie.

He left in the man's Mercedes-Benz B200 the following day and was pulled over by police that night, but they had not been alerted to the escape and let him go.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch conceded there should be better communication between police and mental health services.

"Clearly something had gone wrong," he said.

It also raised questions about Jennings being allowed out on day release, Mr Murdoch said.

"It was probably not the best one to have been made," he added.

Jennings will face Lismore Local Court on Thursday on a warrant for robbery, taking/detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage, and taking and driving a conveyance without the consent of the owner.