diff --git a/src/main/java/com/tiedup/remake/prison/PrisonerManager.java b/src/main/java/com/tiedup/remake/prison/PrisonerManager.java
index 2792ee4..a9bbb30 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/tiedup/remake/prison/PrisonerManager.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/tiedup/remake/prison/PrisonerManager.java
@@ -113,6 +113,14 @@ public class PrisonerManager extends SavedData {
         return laborRecords.computeIfAbsent(playerId, id -> new LaborRecord());
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Get labor record only if one exists. Does not create ghost entries.
+     */
+    @Nullable
+    public LaborRecord getLaborRecordIfExists(UUID playerId) {
+        return laborRecords.get(playerId);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Set the labor record for a player.
      */
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/tiedup/remake/prison/service/EscapeMonitorService.java b/src/main/java/com/tiedup/remake/prison/service/EscapeMonitorService.java
index 304354d..7c9734f 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/tiedup/remake/prison/service/EscapeMonitorService.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/tiedup/remake/prison/service/EscapeMonitorService.java
@@ -94,8 +94,9 @@ public class EscapeMonitorService {
         );
 
         // Step 1: Save guard ID BEFORE state transition (manager.escape() removes the LaborRecord)
-        LaborRecord laborBeforeEscape = manager.getLaborRecord(playerId);
-        UUID guardId = laborBeforeEscape.getGuardId();
+        // Use direct map lookup to avoid creating ghost LaborRecord entries for non-WORKING prisoners
+        LaborRecord laborBeforeEscape = manager.getLaborRecordIfExists(playerId);
+        UUID guardId = laborBeforeEscape != null ? laborBeforeEscape.getGuardId() : null;
 
         // Step 2: Transition prisoner state to FREE
         boolean stateChanged = manager.escape(playerId, currentTime, reason);