AN INVESTIGATION has begun after a prisoner was accidentally freed days into a three-month jail term.
Hugh Lawson Gallon was released from Durham Prison 11 days into a 12-week sentence for theft on Friday (January 23).
The 41-year-old, from Newcastle, tried to hand himself in and was back behind bars by Tuesday (January 27), reports suggest.
A Prison Service investigation is now under way.
A spokesman said: “Releases in error are very rare but regrettable occurrences.
“All incidents are formally investigated and the majority are quickly returned to custody to continue serving their sentence.”
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