How Insanely Creative Prisoners Escaped From Maximum Security Prison

The Infographics Show・2 minutes read

Two violent criminals, David Sweat and Richard Matt, escape from a maximum-security prison with the help of prison worker Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell, leading to a nationwide manhunt, Matt's death, and Sweat's eventual capture near the US-Canada border. Mitchell's involvement in aiding the escape results in her arrest and legal consequences, while Matt's reckless behavior ultimately leads to his demise after a confrontation with a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

Insights

The escape from Clinton Correctional Facility involved a complex and manipulative plan orchestrated by David Sweat and Richard Matt, exploiting the vulnerabilities of a civilian supervisor, Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell, to acquire tools and assistance for their escape.
The aftermath of the escape led to a series of events involving violent confrontations, erratic behavior, and legal consequences for those involved, culminating in Matt's death and Sweat's capture near the US-Canada border, highlighting the dangerous and unpredictable nature of attempting a prison break.

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Recent questions

Who were the two escapees from Clinton Correctional Facility?
David Sweat and Richard Matt

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Summary

00:00

Prison Break: Bible, Escape, Betrayal, Consequences

A man in prison underlines a passage in his bible, foreshadowing future events.
The man, a violent criminal, plans an unprecedented escape with an accomplice.
On June 6, 2015, the men are discovered missing from New York's Clinton Correctional Facility.
The facility, known as "Little Siberia," is a harsh environment for escapees.
The escapees leave cheeky notes mocking the authorities.
The escapees, David Sweat and Richard Matt, are cold-hearted killers heading to the border.
Matt and Sweat work together in the prison tailor shop, earning minimal wages.
The men manipulate a civilian supervisor, Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell, to aid their escape.
Mitchell's relationship with her husband lacks passion, leading her to assist the inmates.
Mitchell's actions escalate, leading to consequences for Sweat and changes in the workshop dynamics.

10:03

Prisoners plan daring escape with hidden tools.

Sweat and Matt plan an escape from prison, utilizing prohibited items brought in by Mitchell.
Sweat envisions exploiting a vulnerability in the locking system to escape and plans to use tools to get a rope over the wall.
Sweat requests specific tools like a star-headed screw bit and putty from Mitchell, who delivers them under the guise of being for art.
Sweat and Matt start sawing through the rear steel wall of their cells using hacksaw blades provided by Mitchell.
They cut a hole through the wall using rubber bands as handles and tape to muffle noise, working during evening hours.
Sweat loses weight due to the physical exertion of cutting through the wall, but becomes physically fit for the escape.
Sweat dismantles a prison wall from the inside, finding a sledgehammer in a tunnel under E-Block.
Sweat breaches the wall and faces a seven-foot-thick perimeter wall, unable to break through with the sledgehammer.
Sweat considers crawling through a steampipe as an alternative route, acquiring more tools and devising a plan to sneak them in.
Matt informs Mitchell of the escape plan, leading to a complex scheme involving hiding tools in ground beef and freezing them.

19:28

Betrayal, manipulation, and escape: The prison plot.

Matt becomes nervous about Mitchell potentially revealing their plans and discusses it with Sweat.
Matt manipulates Mitchell by suggesting she can be rid of her husband and that Sweat loves her.
Mitchell starts assisting Sweat more after receiving notes from him expressing love and requesting tools.
Matt kisses Mitchell forcefully, leading to plans for her to be the getaway driver post-escape.
Mitchell starts dressing better and taking photos for Matt and Sweat, living a fantasy.
Matt instructs Mitchell to buy supplies for the escape, including weapons and camping gear.
The plan changes to heading to Mexico after Matt claims connections with drug cartels.
Sweat plans to change his name to James Tuttle, and Matt to Tony Goya, for the escape.
Sweat successfully escapes through the steam pipe, with Matt struggling but eventually making it out.
Matt's behavior becomes erratic post-escape, causing tension and anxiety for Sweat.

28:51

Manhunt for Escaped Convicts Ends in Capture

Mitchell fails to turn up due to a panic attack experienced by his wife, Tilly, who is taken to the ER by her husband, Lyle, after experiencing symptoms of dizziness and a racing heart.
Tilly's panic attack leads her to believe that two violent men, Matt and Sweat, will kill Lyle and escape with their car, which does not happen as Lyle arrives at the hospital the next morning to take her home.
Matt and Sweat, two convicts with violent pasts, escape from prison and are on the run, with Matt having a history of murder and violence, while Sweat was involved in the killing of a young Sheriff's Deputy.
Matt and Sweat evade authorities for days, finding refuge in a cabin in the woods where they discover a shotgun and a loaded pistol, with Matt indulging in excessive drinking despite their need for escape.
As the days pass, Matt's instability becomes apparent, with Sweat realizing the danger Matt poses due to his violent tendencies and disregard for their situation.
On day 20, Matt's reckless decision to hold up a car with a rifle leads to his confrontation with a U.S. Border Patrol agent, resulting in his death after being shot by the agent.
Sweat continues to run towards the US-Canada border, almost reaching freedom before being spotted by a state trooper, leading to his eventual capture within 1.5 miles of the border.
Mitchell is arrested for her involvement in aiding Matt and Sweat's escape, facing charges of Promoting Prison Contraband and Criminal Facilitation.
Palmer, a prison worker, is charged with felony crimes related to assisting Matt and Sweat, resulting in his resignation, jail time, and fines.
The intense manhunt for Matt and Sweat involves multiple law enforcement agencies, a $75,000 reward, and a nationwide search, culminating in Matt's death and Sweat's capture near the US-Canada border.

38:11

Prison escape plan fails; hunger strike follows. Legal consequences for Mrs. Mitchell in murder plot.

A man, shot while attempting to escape, ends up in a maximum-security prison where he devises an escape plan but fails to secure his release, leading to a hunger strike and continued incarceration.
Mrs. Mitchell, implicated in a murder plot, faces legal consequences including a prison sentence, restitution payment, and eventual release, while her husband stands by her despite the evidence against her.

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