A man accused of murdering an elderly Australian woman in Vanuatu is back behind bars after breaking out of jail.

Jacky Saul threatened guards with an axe during his escape from a Port Vila jail on March 4. He showed up at his parents' house on Sunday, but they contacted police and turned him in.

Saul is the chief suspect in the murder of Australian woman Lyndall Jaques, 69, who was found with her throat cut in her Port Vila home in January.

Vanuatu's Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Arthur Caulton, said Saul, 21, was a high-risk offender who escaped while on kitchen duties.

"He was involved in some cooking. He was with an axe chopping up wood to light a fire and he threatened correctional services officers with the axe and then took off from the prison," Caulton said.

Saul's March 4 escape came three days before a mass break-out of 20 inmates from the same jail; 14 were recaptured at the weekend with a manhunt continuing for the other six.

Caulton said all of the escapees were suspected of serious crimes such as murder or rape.

He said the mass break-out occurred after a guard accidentally left a door open.

"A guard left the door open. She was talking to her parents who were visiting at the time. The prisoners took the chance to leave," Caulton said.

"During the main escape three guards were assaulted when they tried to stop the men from leaving."

Saul is expected to appear in court on murder charges later this month.
AAP