The handcuffed prisoner who gave authorities the slip in Downtown Brooklyn is a career criminal suspected in a recent forcible attempted rape, cops and police sources said Sunday.

Arrested for an attempted rape at the homeless shelter where he lives, Jose Bisono was on his way to Brooklyn Central Booking when he scampered away from Department of Homeless Services police around 5:40 p.m. Saturday, cops said.

Hands still cuffed behind his back, the 31-year-old bolted down Schermerhorn Street towards Smith Street and hasn’t been seen since, despite a search including K-9 units and a police helicopter.

Bisono also has seven prior arrests for charges including robbery, burglary and grand larceny, sources said.

The NYPD referred requests for comment to DHS, which did not immediately respond to multiple inquiries on the slip-up.