Hardcastle and McCormick (1983)

S1E5 Goin' Nowhere Fast

A prisoner, who has been secretly involved with the warden's wife, manages to break free with her assistance. He then contacts Hardcastle, which infuriates him. In response, Hardcastle and McCormick set out to track him down. As the story unfolds, it comes to light that before selecting McCormick, Hardcastle had given this convict a chance—and he ended up proving Hardcastle's judgment to be mistaken.