Unpacking a popular wellness trend
According to Time, in 2011, the Taliban dug a tunnel and facilitated the escape of prisoners from Sarposa prison, in Afghanistan, allowing over 480 individuals to break free.
The tunnel stretched 1,050 feet (320 m) in length. According to Time, there were suspicions that the escape could have been facilitated by insiders, including guards and other authorities.
In 1983, Maze Prison, a supposedly escape-proof facility in Ireland, was breached by 38 prisoners. They successfully broke out using smuggled handguns that helped them take control of the guards.
T.J. Lane, a 19-year-old inmate who murdered three classmates in a 2012 school shooting, managed to escape from a medium security jail by constructing a ladder.
The teenager was eventually apprehended and returned to prison.
These individuals cleverly escaped from the incredibly high-security prison and subsequently vanished without a trace. Their escape plan entailed using soap wax to create the illusion of their bodies in bed. Meanwhile, they dug a tunnel, accessed an unused service passageway, and climbed through a vent to reach the roof.
These inmates collaborated in a plot to overpower prison guards and maintenance workers in a high-security facility in Kenedy, Texas. The news about their escape was featured on the television program 'America's Most Wanted,' which ultimately aided law enforcement in locating the fugitives. Numerous viewers provided valuable tips and made phone calls, leading to their capture.
The group was led by inmate George Rivas, who has since been executed.
Frank Abagnale is well known for his ability to assume different identities. He used his acting talent to flee from the Federal Detention Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
He managed to deceive prison guards by posing as an undercover prison inspector. His escapades served as the inspiration for the 2002 biographical film 'Catch Me If You Can,' featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as the famous con artist.
One more prison escape that served as inspiration for a film was the escape of Billy Hayes from a prison in Turkey. The American was incarcerated for trying to smuggle hash out of the country. In 1975, he successfully fled the prison by rowboat.
The notorious Mexican drug lord evaded prison not once, but twice, in 2001 and more recently in 2015. Surveillance video failed to see him duck behind the shower.
After guards discovered his escape through a tunnel, he later got caught. However, prior to that, he granted a peculiar interview to American actor Sean Penn, ultimately published by Rolling Stone.
In 2015, two convicted murderers escaped from New York's largest state prison. CNN reported that they managed to cut through a steel wall and flee through a tunnel.
After evading capture for three weeks, the duo was ultimately located by law enforcement. Authorities shot both individuals, but only Sweat (right) survived.
According to CNN, a French prisoner, known for his audacity, managed to escape not once, not twice, but three times using a helicopter. His remarkable feat makes him the record holder for the highest number of helicopter escape plans.
In 1986, Nadine Vaujour utilized a helicopter as a means of escape to free her husband Michel Vaujour from prison.
Alfred George Hinds, a famous escape artist, was another criminal who successfully evaded capture multiple times.
During his time in prison, he managed to break free from heavily guarded establishments on three separate occasions, gaining notoriety for his mischievous exploits and daring escapes.
A resourceful prisoner named Gap-bok pulled off an impressively creative escape by slipping through a narrow food slot. Using some kind of lubrication, he managed to slide through the tight 18 inch by six inch opening. Unfortunately, his newfound freedom was short-lived, as he was recaptured only six days after his escape, according to CNN's report.
Alfréd Wetzler, a Jewish man, successfully fled from the dreadful Auschwitz concentration camp during the Holocaust.
In April 1944, he managed to evade capture by concealing himself among a stack of chopped timber. Following a three-day pursuit led by guards, he reappeared and successfully journeyed to Slovakia, achieving his long-awaited freedom.
In 1984, six inmates on death row escaped from the Mecklenburg Correctional Center, a medium security prison. They successfully overpowered the guards during their audacious escape. However, all of them were later caught and subsequently executed.
In Stalag Luft III prison camp, in Poland, air force personnel from the Western Allies were imprisoned during World War II.
Over 600 inmates worked to dig three escape tunnels called 'Tom,' 'Dickk,' and 'Harry.' In the end, 76 individuals managed to flee, but 73 were later recaptured, leaving just three who successfully escaped.
Jesuit priest John Gerard successfully escaped the Tower of London by utilizing a rope and making his getaway on a boat, as documented by Time.
The famous criminal employed a deceptive technique to escape from prison. He crafted a replica firearm from wood, skillfully disguising it with black shoe polish to deceive others into believing it was real.
During the American Civil War, a jail was created in Richmond, Virginia, by converting a supply store to detain Union soldier prisoners.
Over 100 officers were able to escape through a tunnel after discovering an unused basement kitchen.
See also: Everyday products you didn't know were produced using prison labor
In 2023, Danilo Cavalcanti, a 34-year-old inmate sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend in 2021, managed to escape from Chester County prison in Pennsylvania by climbing walls separated by a 1.5-meter-wide corridor.
The fugitive, also wanted for murder in Brazil, was arrested by American police after a 14-day hunt.
A major operation to capture the detainee was organized by the US police, involving hundreds of officers, helicopters, and drones. A reward for information leading to his capture increased as the days passed, reaching US$25,000.
Throughout history, there have been many occasions where prisoners have triumphantly managed to escape from the most heavily guarded prisons.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to discover some of the most clever methods used by prisoners to escape from jail.
A massive manhunt to capture the escapee was organized, involving hundreds of officers, helicopters, and drones. The reward for information leading to his arrest increased with each passing day, reaching US$25,000.
Correctional facilities are known for their high levels of security, making it hard to believe that some inmates are able to successfully escape from prison. The act of breaking out requires a combination of luck, skill, creativity, and occasionally, sheer brute strength.
Throughout history, there have been many occasions where prisoners have triumphantly managed to escape from the most heavily guarded prisons.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to discover some of the most clever methods used by prisoners to escape from jail.
Remarkable prison escapes throughout history
Luck, skill, imagination, and occasional brute force are required
LIFESTYLE Crazy
Correctional facilities are known for their high levels of security, making it hard to believe that some inmates are able to successfully escape from prison. The act of breaking out requires a combination of luck, skill, creativity, and occasionally, sheer brute strength.
Throughout history, there have been many occasions where prisoners have triumphantly managed to escape from the most heavily guarded prisons.
Intrigued? Click through this gallery to discover some of the most clever methods used by prisoners to escape from jail.