Craziest Prison Escapes

The Alcatraz Escape

One of the most remarkable prison escapes in history is the Alcatraz escape, which took place on June 11, 1962. Alcatraz was a high-security federal prison located on an island in San Francisco Bay, known for its reputation as an impenetrable fortress. However, three inmates named Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin managed to orchestrate an elaborate plan to escape from the prison.

The escape began with the prisoners using homemade tools, such as spoons and a drill made from a vacuum cleaner motor, to dig through the walls of their cells. Over a period of several months, they created holes behind the vent openings, which led to an unguarded utility corridor. From there, they climbed to the prison's roof through an unused utility shaft.

On the night of the escape, Morris and the Anglin brothers descended from the roof and made their way to the shoreline. They had crafted life vests and a makeshift raft out of raincoats. The exact details of what happened next remain a mystery, but it is believed that they embarked on their raft and attempted to reach the mainland.

The escape was discovered the next morning when prison guards found the dummy heads that the inmates had made to place in their beds. A massive manhunt was launched, but no trace of the escapees was ever found. The prevailing theory is that the three men drowned in the cold waters of the San Francisco Bay, as the escape took place during the night and the currents would have been treacherous. However, their bodies were never recovered, leaving room for speculation that they may have survived and evaded capture.

The Alcatraz escape remains an enduring mystery and has captured the imagination of people around the world. It was immortalised in movies, books, and documentaries, solidifying its place as one of the craziest prison escapes in history.

Escape of Pascal Payet

Another notable and daring prison escape is the escape of Pascal Payet from a high-security prison in Luynes, France, in 2007. This escape stands out due to its audacity and the use of a helicopter.

Pascal Payet was serving a prison sentence for a series of armed robberies and murder. He had previously escaped from the same prison in 2001 using a helicopter, but was recaptured and returned to custody. However, on July 14, 2007, Payet managed to escape again, employing a similar method.

A group of armed accomplices hijacked a helicopter and forced the pilot at gunpoint to fly to the prison. They landed in the prison yard, and Payet boarded the helicopter while prison guards and inmates watched in disbelief. The whole operation took only a matter of minutes.

The helicopter flew Payet to a nearby location where he switched to a waiting car. The authorities launched a massive manhunt, but Payet remained at large for several months. During his time on the run, he continued to commit robberies and even orchestrated the hijacking of another helicopter to free two fellow inmates from a different prison.

Payet was eventually recaptured in Spain in November 2007 and extradited back to France. This high-profile escape highlighted significant security flaws and prompted a review of prison procedures and protocols across the country.

The escape of Pascal Payet demonstrated the boldness and resourcefulness of some individuals willing to go to extreme lengths to evade incarceration. It also emphasised the challenges that authorities face in preventing such audacious prison breaks.

The Palace of Justice Escape

In 1979, in the heart of Mexico City, one of the most astonishing prison escapes in history took place, known as the "Palace of Justice Escape." The escape involved a group of armed inmates who were being held in the infamous Lecumberri prison, also known as the Palace of Lecumberri.

The plan was masterminded by three prisoners: Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel, Rafael Aguilar Guajardo, and José Luis Ramírez Galindo. Their objective was to escape from the maximum-security prison, which was heavily guarded and surrounded by high walls and armed security forces.

On the day of the escape, the inmates put their plan into action during a highly anticipated soccer match between the inmates and the prison guards. As the match unfolded, the prisoners unexpectedly overpowered the guards, taking them hostage and seizing their weapons.

With the guards under their control, the inmates unlocked the main gate and broke free from the prison's confines. Outside the prison walls, a getaway car was waiting for them, driven by a group of accomplices who had infiltrated the prison staff. The escapees swiftly boarded the vehicle, leaving the prison behind.

The audacity of the escape shocked the authorities and the public alike. The fugitives managed to evade immediate capture, leading to an extensive manhunt throughout Mexico City and beyond. Despite the extensive efforts to recapture them, all three escapees remained at large for an extended period, successfully eluding the authorities.

The Palace of Justice Escape highlighted significant security vulnerabilities within the prison system and led to an overhaul of security protocols in Mexican prisons. The escape also gained international attention due to the boldness of the plan and the daring execution by the inmates involved.

This extraordinary escape continues to captivate the imagination of people around the world, solidifying its place as one of the most incredible prison escapes in history.