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Crazy things that have Happened in Prisons

Simple History・52 minutes read

Abashiri Prison in Hokkaido, Japan, was known for harsh conditions, focusing on punishment, where Yoshie Shiratori escaped multiple times using inventive methods. Charles Bronson, a notorious prisoner known for his violent tendencies, attempted escape multiple times, undergoing name changes and legal battles, showcasing a complex and intriguing prison history.

Insights

  • Yoshie Shiratori's repeated escapes from Abashiri Prison in Japan highlighted the harsh and punitive conditions of Japanese prisons during that era, focusing more on punishment than rehabilitation.
  • The Alcatraz escape, involving Morris and the Anglin Brothers, remains a mysterious and daring prison break, showcasing meticulous planning, resourcefulness, and the enduring speculation surrounding their fate, making it one of the most intriguing escape stories in history.

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Recent questions

  • What was the Alcatraz escape?

    The Alcatraz escape refers to a daring prison break that occurred on June 11, 1962, involving three inmates - Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers. They dug through ventilation ducts, created paper mache dummy heads, built a raft, and paddled to the Northeast Shoreline, disappearing into the rough seas. Despite evidence of their escape being found, the men were never seen again, leading to ongoing speculation and mystery surrounding their fate.

  • How did Yoshie Shiratori escape prison?

    Yoshie Shiratori, a Japanese criminal, escaped prison multiple times through ingenious methods. He picked his cell door with wire, created a decoy in his bed, climbed out through a vent, and even weakened metal screws with salt from miso soup. Shiratori dislocated his shoulders to squeeze through a feeding slot, living in the wilderness for two years before being recaptured. His non-violent escapes led to changes in his sentence, showcasing his resourcefulness.

  • What were the conditions in Abashiri Prison?

    Abashiri Prison, located in Japan, was known for its harsh and remote conditions. Inmates faced freezing temperatures, wild predators, and labor-intensive projects. The prison focused on punishment rather than reform, making it a challenging environment for convicts. Yoshie Shiratori, a notable escapee, experienced the harshness of Abashiri Prison firsthand, adding to the intrigue surrounding his escapes.

  • How did Charles Bronson change his name?

    Charles Bronson, a notorious criminal, changed his name multiple times during his life. He changed his name to Charles Ali Ahmed for a period, appearing more stable during his marriage. After a divorce, he reverted to his previous ways and legally changed his name to Charles Salvador in 2014, honoring his idol Salvador Dali. Despite his violent reputation, Bronson was also known for his talents in art, poetry, and fitness.

  • What were the punishments in historical prisons?

    Historical prisons employed various harsh punishments to discipline inmates. Solitary confinement in dark cells with minimal rations aimed to reflect on behavior and rehabilitate. Leg irons were used in penal colonies to prevent escape attempts, while treadmill punishment involved convicts walking on revolving steps, powered a mill for grinding grain. Flogging with a nine-tailed whip and factory work were also common forms of punishment, showcasing the severity of consequences for disobedience.

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Summary

00:00

"Legendary Japanese Prison Escape Artist: Yoshie Shiratori"

  • Abashiri Prison in Hokkaido, Japan, opened in 1890 to accommodate criminals after the death penalty was abolished in 1882.
  • Yoshie Shiratori, born in 1907, escaped from prison four times, with his most famous escape from Abashiri Prison in 1944.
  • Japanese prisons in that era were harsh, focusing on punishment rather than reform.
  • Shiratori escaped by picking his cell door with wire, creating a decoy in his bed, and climbing out through a rotting vent.
  • Shiratori was transferred to Abashiri Prison, known for its remote, harsh conditions, adding three years to his sentence.
  • In Abashiri, convicts faced freezing temperatures, wild predators, and exhausting labor-intensive projects.
  • Shiratori, after two years in sophisticated handcuffs, weakened metal screws with salt from miso soup to escape.
  • Shiratori dislocated his shoulders to squeeze through a feeding slot, living in the wilderness for two years.
  • Recaptured after a scuffle, Shiratori's death sentence was changed to 20 years due to his non-violent escapes.
  • Released in 1961, Shiratori never returned to crime, working in construction until his death in 1979.

15:21

Charles Bronson: The Complex Life of an Artist

  • Charles Bronson changed his name to Charles Ali Ahmed for a period, appearing more stable during his marriage.
  • After a divorce in 2005, Bronson reverted to his previous ways, leading to potential hostage situations in prison.
  • Bronson appealed against his life sentence and parole requests, all of which were denied.
  • In 2013, Bronson sought release from prison, supported by a petition, but was rejected by David Cameron.
  • He legally changed his name to Charles Salvador in 2014, honoring Salvador Dali, his idol.
  • Despite his violent reputation, Bronson is a talented artist, poet, author, and fitness enthusiast.
  • In prison, Bronson filed a formal complaint over being served croquettes instead of chips, showing a change in behavior.
  • Inmates in prisons worldwide create inventive weapons for protection or malicious intent.
  • Examples include shivs made from everyday items, boiling water and sugar mixtures, and chili bombs for blinding victims.
  • Other weapons include homemade bombs, zip guns, nunchucks, and even toothbrush crossbows, showcasing prisoners' creativity and resourcefulness.

32:26

Alcatraz Escape: Daring Mystery of 1962

  • Alcatraz housed four career criminals, including Morris with an IQ of 133, who plotted an escape in December 1961.
  • The men smuggled spoons and saw blades to dig through ventilation ducts under their sinks, covering up their activities with fake vents.
  • They created paper mache dummy heads, built a rubber raft, and fashioned life preservers and paddles from raincoats and wood.
  • On June 11, 1962, Morris and the Anglin Brothers broke out onto the prison roof, climbed down a drain pipe, scaled a fence, and inflated their raft.
  • The men paddled to the Northeast Shoreline, disappearing into the rough seas, sparking a massive search operation.
  • Evidence of their escape, including a paddle, a wallet, and a deflated life jacket, was found, but the men were never seen again.
  • Alleged sightings and mysterious letters followed, with the FBI concluding the men likely drowned in their escape attempt.
  • Various reports and sightings of the escapees surfaced, with the possibility that they successfully evaded capture.
  • The escapees' fate remains a mystery, with ongoing speculation and alleged sightings continuing to fuel the mystery.
  • The Alcatraz escape remains one of the most daring and mysterious prison breaks in history, inspiring various theories and speculations.

48:30

Harsh Punishments and Torture in Prisons

  • Convicts placed in solitary confinement in dark cells without windows, fed minimal rations of bread and water to reflect on behavior and rehabilitate.
  • Leg irons introduced in penal colonies to prevent escape attempts, heavy and uncomfortable, connected in gangs for hard labor.
  • Treadmill punishment introduced in 1823, convicts walked on revolving steps, could be flogged if pace not maintained, dust irritated eyes and lungs, powered a mill for grinding grain.
  • Flogging used for lazy or disobedient prisoners, involved a nine-tailed whip with lead strands, done publicly, could lead to severe injuries or death.
  • Female convicts punished with factory work for years, head shaving, or solitary confinement for disrespect, similar to male punishments.
  • Hanoi Hilton, a notorious prison during the Vietnam War, housed American POWs in harsh conditions, with strict regulations and propaganda.
  • Prisoners in Hanoi Hilton given meager meals causing health issues, lack of protein and energy, leading to serious weight loss.
  • American POWs in Hanoi Hilton developed a tap code for communication, similar to Morse code, to maintain contact and share information.
  • Torture in Hanoi Hilton included psychological and physical methods during interrogations, creative and brutal techniques used by guards.
  • Life in Hanoi Hilton caused extreme physical, mental, and emotional stress for POWs, some spending years in captivity, sharing their experiences post-release.
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