Police say 18-year-old Eugene Harris walked away from Lycoming County Resource Management Services around 8 a.m. Friday.
A local television station reports Harris was sorting recyclables as part of a work release program from the county prison. He was locked up on forgery and theft charges.
The man was found about a mile away at the White Deer Golf Course in Clinton Township.
Police said he was found hiding in a tree on the golf course. Investigators used a ladder truck to get to him.