A Rio de Janeiro inmate dressed as a woman tried to break out of a Brazilian jail this weekend only to be thwarted on the cusp of freedom by state prison authorities.

Clauvino da Silva, a drug dealer from the city of Angra dos Reis, was caught by prison guards at the Bangu jail complex in Rio state on Saturday, as he tried to exit via the front door after visiting hours.

The Rio state prison authority said his plan was to leave his daughter inside the prison in his place.