Escaped prisoner got lost and called 911 for help

Prisoner Bruce Price was supposed to be working on the farm at West Tennessee State Penitentiary at Henning. He escaped and called 911 Sunday after getting lost in the woods near the farm. He picked up contraband -- two cellphones, six pounds of tobacco and a bottle of whisky -- which authorities believe had been placed in the woods by someone else for Price.

He tried to return to the prison when he lost his bearings, so he used a cellphone to call for help.

"He told them he wasn't planning to escape, but got lost in the woods," said Dorinda Carter, spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department rescued him after 105 minutes of freedom. He'll be charged with escape.

Price, sentenced to five years for theft over $1,000, had been scheduled to go before the Parole Board on Wednesday. He could have enjoyed an early release for what had been good behavior. (info from Memphis Commercial Appeal)