A New York City man is headed to prison for trying to help a friend get out of one.

Oscar Ascencio, 22, pleaded guilty Thursday to a pre-indictment charge of first-degree promoting prison contraband for trying to sneak two scalpels into Wende Correctional Facility in Alden.

State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller told Ascencio he faces two to four years in prison when he returns for sentencing Sept. 3. He could have faced up to seven years had he been convicted after a trial.

Ascencio “had concealed the scalpels in his rectum,” prosecutor John P. Feroleto said in court, unaware that Wende officials had been monitoring phone calls between him and a New York City inmate doing time here on robbery charges.

Feroleto told the judge the two scalpels were small and wrapped in electrical tape.

When Ascencio arrived at the prison at about 10 a. m. June 13, he was immediately taken into custody, Feroleto said.

After the court session, the prosecutor declined to comment on possible charges that could be lodged against the Wende inmate who was supposed to receive the scalpels.