A portly prisoner's escape bid ended when he got stuck in a hole dug in his cell wall.

Rafael Valadao was one of four inmates attempting to escape from a new Brazilian prison last weekend.

While the first prisoner reportedly made his way through the hole and successfuly escaped, Valadao, reportedly a fan of prison food, became firmly wedged.

After numerous attempts to free himself, the 102 kilogram prisoner was forced to call for help.

A police spokesman said: ''Valadao misjudged the size of his belly'' and that they were still looking for his "thinmate".

- © Fairfax NZ News