Man released from prison without pants

VANERSBORG, Sweden, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- A Swedish man who completed a two-month prison sentence walked out of prison without pants or shoes after he was denied money to buy new clothes.

The man, referred to only as Percy in media reports, told officials at the Brinkeberg prison in Vanersborg he had outgrown the pants he was wearing when he was arrested for unlawful driving, The Local reported Thursday.

The prison service said in denying Percy money for new clothes that he had $118 among the personal items he reclaimed upon his release and was therefore able to purchase his own pants and shoes.

Percy said he was unable to send for extra clothes in time for his release because he only learned a few days before he was to be released that his request for the prison to buy him clothes had been rejected. He said the prison offers pants and shoes for sale to released prisoners, but purchasing the items would have left him without enough money for food.

The former prisoner said he was able to find a ride to Trollhattan while wearing only his shirt, underwear and socks. He said he was able to find pants and shoes for a more reasonable price than those offered by the prison.