Ten of the World's Most Astonishing Prison Breaks

The iconic “Prison Break” series undoubtedly enthralled many with its intricate planning, seamless execution, and the nail-biting risks its characters take. But have you ever wondered about real-life prison breaks? On numerous occasions, such ingenious escape tales have inspired movie scripts. Harnessing their creativity, scientific knowledge, and analytical skills, some prisoners have managed to break free from the world’s most feared prisons. Here’s a list of ten monumental prison breaks that might surprise you:

10. John Dillinger – County Jail (Crown Point, Indiana) – March 3, 1934

Famed bank robber John Dillinger made headlines when he escaped the purportedly “escape-proof” Lake County Jail. Witnesses claim Dillinger used a carved wooden gun to trick the jail staff before stealing the sheriff’s truck to flee to Illinois. Ironically, he was later apprehended for transporting a stolen car—a minor crime compared to bank robbery. Within five months of this capture, Dillinger was dead.

9. Libby Prison Escape (Richmond, Virginia) – Between 9th and 10th February, 1864

While tales of gangs escaping prison are common, this story involves a staggering 60 army officers—including colonels, majors, and generals—breaking free. All were prisoners of war during the American Civil War. In total, 109 officers managed to tunnel out of the Confederate Libby Prison.

8. The Great Escape (Sagan, Poland) – March 24, 1944

This audacious breakout also involved Prisoners of War (POWs). 76 POWs dug three tunnels to ensure that two alternatives remained if one route was blocked. Equipped with fake IDs and rehearsed German phrases, they were set. However, only three British Royal Air Force servicemen reached their homeland; the rest were executed on Hitler’s orders.

7. David McMillan – The Bangkok Hilton (Bangkok, Thailand) – August 1996

David McMillan, an infamous drug lord, enjoyed privileges like a personal chef and an office even while facing a death sentence in Thailand’s notorious “Bangkok Hilton” prison. With smuggled hacksaws and bamboo ladders, he exited, becoming the only Westerner to escape this prison.

6. Sobibor Escape (Lublin district, Poland) – October 14, 1943

One of the most extensive breakouts in history took place during WWII at the Sobibor extermination camp. Prisoners orchestrated a three-phase uprising, with the first phase involving the assassination of the camp’s commander. Over 300 prisoners fled, but many were recaptured. Remarkably, over 50 survived.

5. Mountjoy Prison Helicopter Escape (Dublin, Ireland) – October 31, 1973

In a historic move, three senior provisional IRA members evaded the lax security at Mountjoy Prison by escaping via a hijacked helicopter that landed in the prison yard. The breakout was so masterfully executed that guards mistook them for an official team. It took Irish officials four years and a 20,000-strong team to recapture the escapees.

4. George Blake – Wormwood Scrubs (London, England) – October 22, 1966

George Blake, an infamous MI6 double agent who betrayed British spies to the KGB, sawed through bars and used a rope ladder to escape London’s Wormwood Scrubs prison. Leaving behind his family in England, he fled to the USSR and was later celebrated as a national hero by President Vladimir Putin in 2007.

3. Alcatraz Escape (San Francisco Bay, California) – June 11, 1962

Up until 1962, Alcatraz boasted an unblemished “escape-free” reputation. That year, however, Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers executed a flawless seven-month-long plan involving tunnels, decoys, and a makeshift raft.

2. Maze Prison Escape (County Antrim, Northern Ireland) – September 25, 1983

Still remembered as the most significant escape in British history, 38 provisional IRA members made their getaway in a food van aided by smuggled weapons. While many were recaptured or died by 1992, 11 remain unaccounted for to this day.

1. Bill Hayes – Turkish Prison (Sea of Marmara, Turkey) – 1975

Bill Hayes’ escape from Turkey’s most daunting Sagmalicar prison inspired the famous book and film “Midnight Express.” Serving 30 years for drug trafficking, Hayes plotted his departure while working at the docks of the Bosporus island prison. Using a rowboat and changing his appearance, Hayes traversed land and sea in his daring getaway.

These tales of daring and ingenuity testify to the indomitable human spirit and the lengths individuals will go to reclaim their freedom. As these stories inspire and intrigue, remember that every escape has repercussions, and not all escapees found the freedom they sought.

If these tales piqued your interest, delve deeper and explore the full stories behind each escape. Who knows? They might inspire the next blockbuster or novel. Share this article with friends and family, and keep the legacy of these brave souls alive!