A SUSPECTED case of hypothermia forced a prison escapee to turn himself in on Friday night.
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The 30-year-old allegedly found his way out of the Mannus Correctional Centre in Tumbarumba between 3.15pm and 5pm.
His few hours of freedom ended about 9.50pm when the man became too cold.
Police were initially contacted when the minimum security prison became aware of the inmate's absence and search teams were sent out.
He called triple-0 from a phone booth in Jingellic before anyone was able to find him. The man believed he was suffering from hypothermia and was arrested without incident.
In the five or more hours he was out, the prisoner managed to travel about 40km.
Cocaine smuggler Artur Wojcik escaped from the same facility about two months ago.
He was charged with escaping lawful custody and refused bail before fronting Albury Local Court on Saturday.
