Alan Piper, 61, previously of Redgum Place, appeared before before magistrate Kevin Hockey in Bathurst Local Court on Monday.

He was answering a charge of escaping lawful custody.

Antecedents handed to the court told how the accused was an inmate within NSW Corrective Services and his sentence was set to expire on August 9, 2021.

Piper was serving a custodial sentence following convictions for domestic violence and malicious damage charges.

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Police facts tendered to the court told how on June 1, the accused was approved to perform work release duties including working on the outer boundaries of the correctional facility.

At 7am following the morning muster the accused went to his work area and engaged in his duties. At 11.04am he was captured on CCTV exiting his work site and leaving the facility.

At around midday checks were conducted and the accused was found to have absconded.

A search commenced and police were notified, with Piper later found by police in an industrial area behind a tree near the jail.

Piper's solicitor, Mr Gration, told the court it had been a difficult time for Piper, being the anniversary of a family member's death. He also said there were no similar matters on Piper's record.

The court heard Piper also had a particularly disadvantaged upbringing.

In sentencing Piper, Mr Hockey noted his early plea of guilt and said while Piper had escaped from custody it was for a relatively short period and there was no suggestion he had taken off and attempted to hide.

Mr Hockey said the escape was at the lower end of the scale of seriousness.

Mr Hockey sentenced Piper to a short fixed jail term of three months, with his imprisonment to start the day after he was originally due to be released.

Piper will now be eligible for release on November 9, 2021.

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