Gilles Meloche's taste of freedom, after three decades behind bars, didn't last long.

The escaped convict is back in jail just three days after vanishing from the Montee St. Francois minimum security prison in Laval.

Meloche told the French News Channel LCN that he wanted to spend Christmas on the outside and was frustrated by continued denials for parole.

He says he escaped by pushing open a door that had been left unlocked.

The 56 year old was re-captured in Montreal this afternoon.

Another inmate who escaped over the past two weeks remains at large.

Photo credit: Corrections Canada