The board of chosen freeholders of any county may publicly advertise the escape of any prisoner or prisoners from any penal institution in such county, and may offer a reward not exceeding $300 for the detection and apprehension of each of such escaped prisoners. Any reward offered hereunder shall be payable only after the recapture and return of the prisoner or prisoners to the institution from which the escape was made. The amount of the reward and the expense of advertising shall be paid out of such funds of the county as may be applicable thereto. The reward shall be paid to such person or persons as the board of chosen freeholders may, in its discretion, deem entitled thereto.
N.J.S. § 2A:153-3