SANTA ANA, Calif.—An Orange County jail inmate attempted to escape from the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana Jan. 28, but quick-thinking deputies foiled the plan, authorities said.

The inmate was dressed in civilian clothes in what’s called a “control area” of the jail, where visitors enter and exit, at about 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. Tuesday, said Carrie Braun, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies recognized the inmate, however, and took him back into custody where he was being housed, Braun said.

Deputies conducted a full count of inmates at the Men’s Central Jail and the Intake Release Center and everyone was accounted for, Braun added.