September 4, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Authorities say an inmate at a
minimum-security prison walked away from his work site in Aiken and
then turned himself in peacefully shortly after.

A Corrections Department spokesman said supervisors last saw
37-year-old Thomas Lee Washington about 3:30 p.m. Thursday. He was
on a labor crew assignment with the Aiken Housing Authority.

About four hours later he walked up to a sheriff's deputy about
five miles away from the facility and turned himself in.

Agency spokesman Josh Gelinas said Washington began serving a
five-year sentence last October for assault and battery of a high
and aggravated nature out of Florence County.

He was housed at the Lower Savannah Pre-Release Center in Aiken
and was expected to be released in May 2010.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.