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Breakout: The Great Prison Escapes
Breakout
The Great Prison Escapes
Contents
Introduction
British Breakouts : Jack Sheppard, Johnny Ramensky, Alfie Hinds, Ronnie Biggs, George Blake
American Breakouts : Billy the Kid, John Dillinger, Ted Bundy, The Texas Seven
Breakouts Around the World : Casanova, The Great Escape, Alcatraz, Dieter Dengler, Billy Hayes
As the famous line in the song Me and Bobby McGhee says, ‘Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose’, and many of the men featured in Infamous Prison Escapes, had nothing left to lose. When the prison doors clanged shut behind them, they had indeed lost everything and were left with nothing, apart from some stark choices. Either they could resign themselves to long years behind bars or behind the razor wire of a prisoner of war camp, or they could develop the steely determination, cultivate the mental focus and begin the meticulous planning needed to arrive at the momentous day when they would finally breakout and breathe the sweet air of freedom once again.
No suspicions could be raised, no hint given, that a hole was being gouged out of a ceiling, as in the case of serial killer Ted Bundy when he escaped from his Colorado cell – an escape that led to his freedom, but also brought more murders. At both Alcatraz and in jailed drug smuggler Billy Hayes’ Turkish prison, for example, saw-marks were cleverly disguised with grease, polish or ash-covered putty – saw marks that would surely arouse the guards’ suspicions. Deception such as that takes confidence, however, like that displayed by notorious American bank robber John Dillinger who sculpted a handgun from a piece of wood and used it to get out of Crown Point prison in Indiana.
Author Biography
Gordon Kerr was born in the Scottish new town of East Kilbride and worked in the wine trade and then bookselling and publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of numerous books in a variety of genres, including art, history, true crime, travel and humour. He has a wife and two children and lives in Hampshire and – when he can – South West France.
Print page length : 120
The Great Prison Escapes
Contents
Introduction
British Breakouts : Jack Sheppard, Johnny Ramensky, Alfie Hinds, Ronnie Biggs, George Blake
American Breakouts : Billy the Kid, John Dillinger, Ted Bundy, The Texas Seven
Breakouts Around the World : Casanova, The Great Escape, Alcatraz, Dieter Dengler, Billy Hayes
As the famous line in the song Me and Bobby McGhee says, ‘Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose’, and many of the men featured in Infamous Prison Escapes, had nothing left to lose. When the prison doors clanged shut behind them, they had indeed lost everything and were left with nothing, apart from some stark choices. Either they could resign themselves to long years behind bars or behind the razor wire of a prisoner of war camp, or they could develop the steely determination, cultivate the mental focus and begin the meticulous planning needed to arrive at the momentous day when they would finally breakout and breathe the sweet air of freedom once again.
No suspicions could be raised, no hint given, that a hole was being gouged out of a ceiling, as in the case of serial killer Ted Bundy when he escaped from his Colorado cell – an escape that led to his freedom, but also brought more murders. At both Alcatraz and in jailed drug smuggler Billy Hayes’ Turkish prison, for example, saw-marks were cleverly disguised with grease, polish or ash-covered putty – saw marks that would surely arouse the guards’ suspicions. Deception such as that takes confidence, however, like that displayed by notorious American bank robber John Dillinger who sculpted a handgun from a piece of wood and used it to get out of Crown Point prison in Indiana.
Author Biography
Gordon Kerr was born in the Scottish new town of East Kilbride and worked in the wine trade and then bookselling and publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of numerous books in a variety of genres, including art, history, true crime, travel and humour. He has a wife and two children and lives in Hampshire and – when he can – South West France.
Print page length : 120
- GenresNonfictionTrue Crime
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2013
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About the author
Gordon Kerr
119 books24 followersGordon Kerr was born in the Scottish new town of East Kilbride and worked in the wine trade and then bookselling and publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of numerous books in a variety of genres, including art, history, true crime, travel and humour. He has a wife and two children and lives in Hampshire and—when he can—South West France.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 3, 2014
Most of us are taught that “crime doesn’t pay,” and that wrongdoers deserve to be punished. But after reading the stories of some these convicts, I was moved to sympathize with a few of these prisoners. Many of them came from tough backgrounds and were practically forced into crime. Others were brought up in respectable homes but strayed onto the wrong path. Taking a look at the circumstances in which these men found themselves truly forces you reconsider their consequent sentences. Naturally, I would expect cold-blooded killers like Ted Bundy and The Texas Seven to be prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law, but for those who had committed non-violent crimes, such as Billy Hayes and the repentant Alfie Hinds, lengthy and severe punishments seemed a little rash.
I was particularly surprised to learn that some of these infamous escapees were so young; some were just into their 20s at the time of their incarceration. It seems like most of these individuals had brilliance within them, but they wasted their talents by choosing to use their skills for crime.
Author, Gordon Kerr revives the forgotten stories behind the world’s famous prison breakouts. He does a fine job of recording these attempts across the ages. I enjoyed reading this book. The only problems I had were that the non-British criminals’ brief biographies were not included. Also, no female prisoner escape attempts were documented in this book.
I was particularly surprised to learn that some of these infamous escapees were so young; some were just into their 20s at the time of their incarceration. It seems like most of these individuals had brilliance within them, but they wasted their talents by choosing to use their skills for crime.
Author, Gordon Kerr revives the forgotten stories behind the world’s famous prison breakouts. He does a fine job of recording these attempts across the ages. I enjoyed reading this book. The only problems I had were that the non-British criminals’ brief biographies were not included. Also, no female prisoner escape attempts were documented in this book.
January 21, 2014
Good historical read.
For the most part some of these escapes were men that obviously deserved their sentences. That said the stories of the prisoner of war escapes were inspiring! This book should be required reading for law enforcement enlightening them as what not to do. Great interesting read.
For the most part some of these escapes were men that obviously deserved their sentences. That said the stories of the prisoner of war escapes were inspiring! This book should be required reading for law enforcement enlightening them as what not to do. Great interesting read.
July 23, 2014
Some really interesting facts and stories that I hadn't heard of before. A quick read for myself but that was because I enjoyed it. I liked how there were some high profile accounts and then ones that I can imagine only a select few would have heard of. Definitely worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews