Crazy escapes (14 photos)

The most daring prison escapes.

Escape from Alcatraz

Alcatraz is a prison on an island two kilometers from land. The icy water (even in summer) and raging currents turned any escape into a mortal struggle. Alcatraz was considered the most secure prison in the United States. Yet, in June 1962, three madmen pulled off the most daring escape. At night, the prisoners chipped away at the concrete walls around the ventilation grates in their cells. Their tools were sharpened spoons from the dining room and a homemade drill made from a vacuum cleaner motor. In the utility room, they prepared their escape craft—a makeshift raft made from fifty raincoats. The prisoners made replicas of their heads from papier-mâché, plaster, and soap.



















The Escape of Richard Lee McNair

An incident that occurred in the United States in 2006. Richard Lee McNair, considered one of the most resourceful fugitives, was serving a sentence for murder and robbery. He managed to escape by hiding among sacks of mail. Inside the pile of mail, the prisoner was smuggled out of the prison undetected. Along the way, Richard encountered a police officer, but managed to outwit him.







John Dillinger's Escape

In early 1934, the legendary gangster found himself behind bars. He was already known for his robberies and was listed by the FBI as "Public Enemy Number One." Authorities boasted that it was impossible to escape from the prison where John was serving time. However, on March 3, the gangster proved otherwise. Armed with only a fake pistol carved from wood and a blackened coating of shoe polish, the criminal pointed the "gun" at the guard standing in the hallway. Believing the threat, the guard complied and released the gangster. John then took his friend and sped away in the sheriff's car.