Two prisoners have surrendered to police after they escaped from a work camp at Winton in Queensland's central west yesterday.

Jesse Cabrera, 22, and Daniel Diakonow, 24, went missing about 9:00pm but returned to the camp just before midnight.

Cabrera is serving a 16-month sentence for robbery with actual violence while Diakonow is serving two years for break and enter.

It is believed the pair were close to being released from prison.

Queensland Corrective Services is investigating the circumstances of their escape.

Police expect to charge the pair with escape from lawful custody later this week, once an investigation is finalised.

The Winton Work Camp, an all-male facility, is about 10 kilometres north of the town on the Winton to Hughenden Highway.

It is managed by the Townsville Correctional Centre, which also manages work camps at Boulia and Julia Creek.

Participation in work camps is only available to prisoners who are considered a low security risk.

Headcounts at the camp are carried out four times a day - at 6:30am, 12.30pm, 6:30pm and 10:00pm.

The work camps have been set up to give prisoners an opportunity to work in the local community and demonstrate good behaviour prior to release from prison.

Duties performed by prisoners included maintaining community infrastructure including public cemeteries, playgrounds and showgrounds.