A Russell man who broke out of jail by failing to return while out on work release and then turned himself back in and fought with jail staff is headed to state prison.

Tracy A. Wadsworth, 36, was sentenced by President Judge Maureen Skerda on Friday morning.

Wadsworth was originally charged with felony retail theft and sentenced to six months to two years in the jail after a guilty plea.

He was granted work release and didn’t return one day, coming back to the jail four days later. When he showed up, he was found to be in possession of a hypodermic needle as well as a folded blue Post-It note and a stamped plastic bag, both suspected of containing methamphetamine.

After that was discovered, jail staff attempted to arrest Wadsworth when he attempted to flee. He was ultimately tackled by Warden Jon Collins.

Public Defender Francis Waweru acknowledged his client has a lengthy history with addiction.

“He recognizes that,” he said, telling the court his concern is providing an opportunity for his client to get help.

“(He) knows he is facing quite a bit of time,” he added.

Wadsworth apologized when given an opportunity to speak.

“I’ve been in trouble and locked up my whole life,” he said, telling the court that this conduct this time even surprised him.

Citing a 20 year addition, Wadsworth acknowledged a “long, colorful track record.”

Skerda cited his prior record which shows a “very difficult past” — forgery, possession, burglary, five petit larceny offenses, three retail theft offenses and fleeing and eluding.

“You’ve got quite a prior record,” she said. “As a 36-year-old (you have) never held work.”

She called the behavior in these instances “inexcusable” before sentencing him to 15 to 30 months in state prison, $1,975 in fines and fees, priority for drug and alcohol treatment and submission of a DNA sample on an escape charge.

She told him he is boot camp and recidivism risk reduction incentive eligible in the state system.

At a second docket Wadsworth was then sentenced to 10 to 20 months in state prison with $475 in fines and fees on a count of resisting arrest and five to 10 months incarceration with $100 in fees on a count of possession of a controlled substance.