Authorities said 39-year-old James Edward Russell took off from the Washington state penitentiary Tuesday morning. Early the next day, Russell - still wearing his prison uniform - went to the cabin asking to use the phone, said Department of Corrections spokesman Chad Lewis on Thursday.
After a scuffle, Russell ran off again, Lewis said. The guard, whose name was being withheld by authorities, reported the incident and Russell was caught a few hours later.
He had been serving time for forgery and theft.
