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Dannemora: Two Escaped Killers, Three Weeks of Terror, and the Largest Manhunt Ever in New York State
The Prison Break, the Manhunt, the Inside Story
The True Story of the Prison Escape That Inspired the Documentary “How It Really Happened”
In June 2015, two vicious convicted murderers broke out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, in New York's North Country, launching the most extensive manhunt in state history. Aided by prison employee Joyce Mitchell, double murderer Richard Matt and cop-killer David Sweat slipped out of their cells, followed a network of tunnels and pipes under the thirty-foot prison wall, and climbed out of a manhole to freedom.
For three weeks, the residents of local communities were virtual prisoners in their own homes as law enforcement from across the nation swept the rural wilderness near the Canadian border. The manhunt made front-page headlines--as did the prison sex scandal involving both inmates and Joyce Mitchell--and culminated in a dramatic and bloody standoff.
Now Charles A. Gardner--a lifelong resident of the community and a former correction officer who began his training at Clinton and ultimately oversaw the training of staff in twelve prisons, including Clinton--tells the whole story from an insider's point of view.
From the lax ethics and sexual hunger that drove Joyce Mitchell to fraternize with Matt and Sweat, smuggle them tools, and offer to be their getaway driver, to the state budget cuts that paved the way for prison corruption, to the brave and tireless efforts to bring the escaped killers to justice, Dannemora is a gripping account of the circumstances that led to the bold breakout and the twenty-three-day search that culminated in one man dead, and one man back in custody--and lingering questions about those who set the deadly drama in motion.
The True Story of the Prison Escape That Inspired the Documentary “How It Really Happened”
In June 2015, two vicious convicted murderers broke out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, in New York's North Country, launching the most extensive manhunt in state history. Aided by prison employee Joyce Mitchell, double murderer Richard Matt and cop-killer David Sweat slipped out of their cells, followed a network of tunnels and pipes under the thirty-foot prison wall, and climbed out of a manhole to freedom.
For three weeks, the residents of local communities were virtual prisoners in their own homes as law enforcement from across the nation swept the rural wilderness near the Canadian border. The manhunt made front-page headlines--as did the prison sex scandal involving both inmates and Joyce Mitchell--and culminated in a dramatic and bloody standoff.
Now Charles A. Gardner--a lifelong resident of the community and a former correction officer who began his training at Clinton and ultimately oversaw the training of staff in twelve prisons, including Clinton--tells the whole story from an insider's point of view.
From the lax ethics and sexual hunger that drove Joyce Mitchell to fraternize with Matt and Sweat, smuggle them tools, and offer to be their getaway driver, to the state budget cuts that paved the way for prison corruption, to the brave and tireless efforts to bring the escaped killers to justice, Dannemora is a gripping account of the circumstances that led to the bold breakout and the twenty-three-day search that culminated in one man dead, and one man back in custody--and lingering questions about those who set the deadly drama in motion.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2019
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2074 people want to read
About the author
Charles A. Gardner
2 books10 followersCharles A. Gardner is a municipal court judge and retired correction training lieutenant in Malone, New York, the far-upstate town where he was born and raised. His twenty-five-year career in New York State Department of Corrections included working as a correction officer, sergeant, and lieutenant. He had experience working in medium- and maximum-security facilities including stints at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora and the maximum-security prisons of Sing Sing, Bedford Hills, Great Meadow, and Upstate. Gardner served on the Department of Corrections' emergency response team (CERT), which played a critical role in the search for the 2015 prison escapees. He lives with his wife, Penny, and their Samoyeds, in the North Country.
(source: Amazon)
(source: Amazon)
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January 15, 2019
Dannemora: Two Escaped Killers, Three Weeks of Terror, and the Largest Manhunt Ever in New York State
This is my second book on this breakout, so I’m fairly familiar with the subject. The author retired from 25 years in corrections and was born and raised in that area. He is currently a municipal court judge. I was interested in the subject so I thought I’d go for another viewpoint. This book is a good mix of background on the escapees, and the lead up to the escape, the two employees that were involved, and then the story of the escape itself. The writing is fine and moves along well, making this a good book for those interested in the topic. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Charles A. Gardner, and the publisher for my fair review.
Full review is on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
This is my second book on this breakout, so I’m fairly familiar with the subject. The author retired from 25 years in corrections and was born and raised in that area. He is currently a municipal court judge. I was interested in the subject so I thought I’d go for another viewpoint. This book is a good mix of background on the escapees, and the lead up to the escape, the two employees that were involved, and then the story of the escape itself. The writing is fine and moves along well, making this a good book for those interested in the topic. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Charles A. Gardner, and the publisher for my fair review.
Full review is on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
September 20, 2021
Well written and researched account of not only the escape and manhunt, but a detailed history of the prison, prison system and corrections. Of course I recall as does the author, the media covering the shocking aspects of the case, while completely ignoring the political incompetence that created the atmosphere for the protocol breeches. All this led to one very expensive, labor intensive manhunt. The police, corrections officers, those involved in the actual search and the residents of the area, are the real heroes in this page-tuner. The Governor in front of the cameras, every available moment, never took responsibility for his administration's grievous mistakes. Nothing has changed to this day.
November 15, 2019
RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
I first heard about the escape in Dannemora on a true crime show and was interested in knowing more about the case. This was a well-written and researched book. It outlines the timeline and also the history of the town and prison. It was a quick read for me as the story was engaging as a novel. I did read another book on the topic Wild Escape: The Prison Break from Dannemora and the Manhunt that Captured America and found it very dry. I was hoping to watch the mini-series Dannemora but couldn't get into after reading Wild Escape. I need a bit of a distance before trying the mini-series again.
(Review Not on Blog)
I first heard about the escape in Dannemora on a true crime show and was interested in knowing more about the case. This was a well-written and researched book. It outlines the timeline and also the history of the town and prison. It was a quick read for me as the story was engaging as a novel. I did read another book on the topic Wild Escape: The Prison Break from Dannemora and the Manhunt that Captured America and found it very dry. I was hoping to watch the mini-series Dannemora but couldn't get into after reading Wild Escape. I need a bit of a distance before trying the mini-series again.
Want to read
February 13, 2019Dannemora is a fascinating work of non fiction. I don't recall this event and read the book with no prior knowledge. Based on a 2015 prison break and manhunt, it's hard to stop reading once you start. It's an intriguing and different look at how something like a manhunt plays out. The difficulties, the highs and lows of the operation. It's truly fascinating and relevant to society today. It's a thought provoking well written and researched account of this event. I recommend for anyone with an interest in the reality of what happened. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2019
Not only is the narrative blunt but the author enables the reader to get an eye-opening view not only into the escape of Richard Matt and David Sweat but into the NYS Department of Corrections, the Clinton Correctional Facility at Dannemora as well as the restrictions and additional duties our correctional staff must perform without any increase in staff.
Lt. Gardner goes into the history of these two men and how they got to Clinton Correctional. Matt and Sweat were cunning and able to manipulate their way into working at the tailor shops. It was there that they encountered supervisor, Joyce Mitchell, who seemed to think she was above the regulations regarding interactions between staff and inmates. She eventually smuggled the tools used by the men to cut through their cell walls into the catwalks and into the metal tunnels that led to outside the walls. She even agreed to be their getaway driver - she was unable to provide that service due to an anxiety attack that landed her in the hospital the night of the escape.
But it wasn't only Mitchell and her inappropriate behavior. An escort guard who allowed Matt to skip going through the metal detector was also complacent. Corcraft which operates several industries in the prison system who focused more on fulfilling vendor orders than security matters. Various other inmates, guards and supervisors that saw Mitchell's friendliness with the inmate 'employees' and failed to report it. Or if they did, were ignored by higher ups.
It is exceedingly fortunate that these escapees didn't kill any civilians or police officers during their escape as well during the search. Breaking into hunting camps, Matt and Sweat gained shelter, food, supplies, guns and ammunition - as well as the alcohol which led to Sweat abandoning Matt and Matt's eventual confrontation - but they didn't confront any of the owners who checked on their property during the search.
Gardner even goes into the results of the investigation performed by an outside agency into Clinton and the escape. As expected, supervisory, civilian and uniformed personnel were found at fault. Some were forced into retirement. Some returned to their jobs after being penalized. So who is to blame for the 'do more with less' ethic that led to empty wall towers, insufficient manpower to perform inspections and inability to declare lock-downs without Albany's approval. That would be Albany, who made the policies and procedures which failed and they didn't take any of the blame
The only negative I could say is that it would have been a nice addition to have a map of the area around Clifton Correctional and the search area. Being able to refer to it as the manhunt proceeded, would have clarified the inmates journey.
Otherwise, excellent book. Very accessible. Writing style smooth and fast moving. And on a personal note, thanks to the men and women who were involved in the search.
2019-111
Lt. Gardner goes into the history of these two men and how they got to Clinton Correctional. Matt and Sweat were cunning and able to manipulate their way into working at the tailor shops. It was there that they encountered supervisor, Joyce Mitchell, who seemed to think she was above the regulations regarding interactions between staff and inmates. She eventually smuggled the tools used by the men to cut through their cell walls into the catwalks and into the metal tunnels that led to outside the walls. She even agreed to be their getaway driver - she was unable to provide that service due to an anxiety attack that landed her in the hospital the night of the escape.
But it wasn't only Mitchell and her inappropriate behavior. An escort guard who allowed Matt to skip going through the metal detector was also complacent. Corcraft which operates several industries in the prison system who focused more on fulfilling vendor orders than security matters. Various other inmates, guards and supervisors that saw Mitchell's friendliness with the inmate 'employees' and failed to report it. Or if they did, were ignored by higher ups.
It is exceedingly fortunate that these escapees didn't kill any civilians or police officers during their escape as well during the search. Breaking into hunting camps, Matt and Sweat gained shelter, food, supplies, guns and ammunition - as well as the alcohol which led to Sweat abandoning Matt and Matt's eventual confrontation - but they didn't confront any of the owners who checked on their property during the search.
Gardner even goes into the results of the investigation performed by an outside agency into Clinton and the escape. As expected, supervisory, civilian and uniformed personnel were found at fault. Some were forced into retirement. Some returned to their jobs after being penalized. So who is to blame for the 'do more with less' ethic that led to empty wall towers, insufficient manpower to perform inspections and inability to declare lock-downs without Albany's approval. That would be Albany, who made the policies and procedures which failed and they didn't take any of the blame
The only negative I could say is that it would have been a nice addition to have a map of the area around Clifton Correctional and the search area. Being able to refer to it as the manhunt proceeded, would have clarified the inmates journey.
Otherwise, excellent book. Very accessible. Writing style smooth and fast moving. And on a personal note, thanks to the men and women who were involved in the search.
2019-111
September 1, 2020
In 2015, two inmates in the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y escaped through underground pipes in a daring escape that seemed similar to that in Shawshank Redemption. However, these convicts were convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat who cut holes in the back walls of their cells and escaped. They were assisted by Correctional Officer Joyce Mitchell who had a relationship with both men and had been bringing in contraband.
For three weeks hundreds of police officers combed the swamps looking for Matt and Sweat before Matt was shot and killed and Sweat remained on the run and was apprehended after being shot himself. Gardner gives the rest of the story, whose head rolled and who escaped the wrath of politics. Gardner, based on his 25 years of experience in the prison system laid the blame of the ordeal at the feet of politicians who had cut, cut, cut the budget and manpower to a point where to do the job was to actually curb the policies.
The book is clearly written in a succinct and concise way that wastes no words. Thus the pace of the book adds to the excitement of the book. I found it totally engaging and was interested in the issues surrounding how the escape was accomplished and who would pay.... after all, taxpayer money was spent attempting to make the recovery. If you are interested in penology, correctional management, or a true crime read.. this is for you.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
January 17, 2019
Joyce Mitchell was a messed up, lonely woman living in the wildest part of upper New York State when she, like many residents in that area, went to work for the prison system…it seems prisons are a big industry in that part of the state. She met and married another employee and they worked at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora for years, with her job being a supervisor of the prisoners who worked in the tailor shop (they make more than license plates, it seems). While there, she got friendly – VERY friendly—with convicted double murderer Richard Matt and cop killer David Sweat, who used her vulnerability to develop a strong enough bond that she was willing to smuggle in the tools they needed to break out.
The plan was for her to be waiting when they emerged from manhole cover outside the prison, then they would all jump in her car and be off to Mexico and freedom. But the night they made their escape, she had a panic attack, was taken to the hospital emergency room, and freaked out enough to rat them out. The next three weeks there was the biggest manhunt in New York history as they tried to survive long enough to get away.
The author of Dannemora is a lifelong resident of the area and former correctional officer and trainer who began his career at the Dannemora prison, and he is a terrific writer. This is at once a fascinating true crime story, a look at the lengths to which a lonely woman can be manipulated, and the conditions and circumstances both at the prison in question and throughout the prison system (all the way to the Governor’s office in Albany) which led to the escape. I particularly appreciated the revelations about the use of prison labor for profit, the ethical lapses among the employees, and the political mess that brought enough budget cuts to make it impossible for the guards to do their work as regulations dictated.
With thanks to Kensington Books/Citadel and NetGalley, this is a strong four stars. And I still don’t get how Joyce’s husband stuck with her, and it annoys the hell out of me that she is still entitled to her entire pension!
The plan was for her to be waiting when they emerged from manhole cover outside the prison, then they would all jump in her car and be off to Mexico and freedom. But the night they made their escape, she had a panic attack, was taken to the hospital emergency room, and freaked out enough to rat them out. The next three weeks there was the biggest manhunt in New York history as they tried to survive long enough to get away.
The author of Dannemora is a lifelong resident of the area and former correctional officer and trainer who began his career at the Dannemora prison, and he is a terrific writer. This is at once a fascinating true crime story, a look at the lengths to which a lonely woman can be manipulated, and the conditions and circumstances both at the prison in question and throughout the prison system (all the way to the Governor’s office in Albany) which led to the escape. I particularly appreciated the revelations about the use of prison labor for profit, the ethical lapses among the employees, and the political mess that brought enough budget cuts to make it impossible for the guards to do their work as regulations dictated.
With thanks to Kensington Books/Citadel and NetGalley, this is a strong four stars. And I still don’t get how Joyce’s husband stuck with her, and it annoys the hell out of me that she is still entitled to her entire pension!
March 17, 2019
I must've been in a "media blackout" period when this escape happened because I don't remember shit about it. But that means I'm the perfect reader for it, right?
What a crazy and frustrating story about neglect, mental illness, criminal behavior, prison ineptness and the stress of law enforcement.
Gardner seems to struggle a little in determining the appropriate "moment of reveal" to keep the reader engaged and to avoid repetition but despite this occasional flaw he manages to pull lots of threads together into a fast-paced story.
I was into this enough that it kept me up a night or two but I can't bring myself to up the star rating because the bias is undeniable and yet mostly unacknowledged. Gardner is a retired prison worker and he lives in the area, which he is upfront about. While both of these things probably gave him access to information unavailable to others, he isn't able to use that info completely objectively. His anger at those who helped these criminals escape, directly or indirectly, is understandable, and his dislike of former Gov. Cuomo is palpable, but unnecessary to what is being presented as a non-fiction account of the facts. I suppose the opposite view of the issue is that Gardner was upfront about his bias so it's up to the reader to decide if anything smelling like opinion is worth taking as fact.
This is one of those "you can't make this stuff up" stories that true crime reader will love and that general readers will enjoy because of the fast pace and detailed character studies.
What a crazy and frustrating story about neglect, mental illness, criminal behavior, prison ineptness and the stress of law enforcement.
Gardner seems to struggle a little in determining the appropriate "moment of reveal" to keep the reader engaged and to avoid repetition but despite this occasional flaw he manages to pull lots of threads together into a fast-paced story.
I was into this enough that it kept me up a night or two but I can't bring myself to up the star rating because the bias is undeniable and yet mostly unacknowledged. Gardner is a retired prison worker and he lives in the area, which he is upfront about. While both of these things probably gave him access to information unavailable to others, he isn't able to use that info completely objectively. His anger at those who helped these criminals escape, directly or indirectly, is understandable, and his dislike of former Gov. Cuomo is palpable, but unnecessary to what is being presented as a non-fiction account of the facts. I suppose the opposite view of the issue is that Gardner was upfront about his bias so it's up to the reader to decide if anything smelling like opinion is worth taking as fact.
This is one of those "you can't make this stuff up" stories that true crime reader will love and that general readers will enjoy because of the fast pace and detailed character studies.
January 21, 2020
After finishing the book, I found myself thinking, "there is a good story to tell here, but this was the wrong guy to tell it." Later, I started to wonder if there IS a good story. It's a prison break, and there is the civilian involvement, but I guess in the end it's not terribly exciting.
So the real problem becomes the author. The author is one of those types who, having been a correctional officer, believes himself to be peers with actual police officers and idolizes - nay, reveres - more highly trained types and the military. It's a little creepy. I get it - the rural northern part of NY is full of prison guards who love guns and love the police. That needs to be stated at most once, not the dozen plus times we get here.
There is also way too much commentary about how "Albany" oversees the prisons, and the victimization of the prison officials WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INMATE ESCAPE is wildly over the top and creates an unreliable narrator.
In the hands of a third party student of history, this might be an interesting read, but it would be much shorter. Pages and pages of profiles of the heroes (all prison guards!) is unwarranted and unnecessary.
So the real problem becomes the author. The author is one of those types who, having been a correctional officer, believes himself to be peers with actual police officers and idolizes - nay, reveres - more highly trained types and the military. It's a little creepy. I get it - the rural northern part of NY is full of prison guards who love guns and love the police. That needs to be stated at most once, not the dozen plus times we get here.
There is also way too much commentary about how "Albany" oversees the prisons, and the victimization of the prison officials WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INMATE ESCAPE is wildly over the top and creates an unreliable narrator.
In the hands of a third party student of history, this might be an interesting read, but it would be much shorter. Pages and pages of profiles of the heroes (all prison guards!) is unwarranted and unnecessary.
October 3, 2022
Disappointing, I did not like the writing style or the authors penchant for injecting his opinions and clearly biased comments into what is otherwise an interesting story.
In Mr. Gardner's world "Albany" is primarily responsible for the escape while Clinton Correctional Facility staff and administration practically get a pass.
In Mr. Gardner's world "Albany" is primarily responsible for the escape while Clinton Correctional Facility staff and administration practically get a pass.
April 11, 2019
This might be a controversial opinion, but this book reminded me of In Cold Blood. It begins with descriptive language, setting the scene of the small town near where the prison break occurred. The background information on the town, the prison, and the prisoners was fascinating. The organization, with each of these background sections followed by sections on the prison break, the manhunt, and the aftermath, really worked for me.The author's perspective as a local and a retired correctional officer was noticeable in his description of both the experience of living near the manhunt and his description of prison routines. Fortunately, I still thought his conclusions were even-handed. He pointed out where prison staff had made mistakes, while giving specific examples of places where budget cuts also enabled the escape. He occasionally got weirdly macho about his own experiences and not all of his humor landed for me, but overall, this was a great read.This review was originally posted on Doing Dewey
February 2, 2024
Joyce Mitchell is the star of the story but her involvement in the escape from Clinton Prison in upstate New York by two inmates receives little coverage. Most of the book concerns the political infighting and lack of money for the proper running of the state's prison system.
Joyce worked as a supervisor at a prison tailor shop where she met Richard Matt and David Sweat. The frumpy and horny housewife managed to sneak into a storage closet for a bit of hanky-panky with Matt.
The lovestruck woman supplied hacksaw blades and other implements for the later Shawshank Redemption type of escape. The pair cut through their cell walls and then made their way to freedom.
Mitchell suffered a panic attack and the pair of convicted killers were left without their planned getaway driver. A three week air and ground search ultimately ended with the capture of Sweat and the killing of Matt, who had vowed to never be taken alive.
Mitchell was sent to Bedford Women's prison and a current search gives an unbelievable conclusion to the story.
Joyce worked as a supervisor at a prison tailor shop where she met Richard Matt and David Sweat. The frumpy and horny housewife managed to sneak into a storage closet for a bit of hanky-panky with Matt.
The lovestruck woman supplied hacksaw blades and other implements for the later Shawshank Redemption type of escape. The pair cut through their cell walls and then made their way to freedom.
Mitchell suffered a panic attack and the pair of convicted killers were left without their planned getaway driver. A three week air and ground search ultimately ended with the capture of Sweat and the killing of Matt, who had vowed to never be taken alive.
Mitchell was sent to Bedford Women's prison and a current search gives an unbelievable conclusion to the story.
October 29, 2023
Wow! Thanks, everyone for providing the copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
I’ll say it again ! WOW! I cannot believe I had never heard this story. I talk often with my coworkers (we work in teams) so many had heard of this violent event in criminal and state history, but I still had more details ready to inflate their memories. I’ll be honest I spent some moments I hate to say “daydreaming “ ,but basically that’s what I was doing just wondering what would my city do, what would I do, if something like this happened where I live. I’m certain my daughter would be my first priority. And she would also be the one who would argue with me about being fine stop worrying it didn’t happen around here but such and such miles away. And then I’d get so furious and perturbed. Ugh children even when they are 30-still shake my head children. There is no way that each prison break is the same, and neither is every manhunt the same. This book has to be the epitome of the ultimate prison break. I rarely have issues picturing what I’m reading when I read nonfiction and this was no exception. And I’m sure most people focused on the innocent or the hunting parties, but being a strong true crime fan my mind went to the prisoners, most especially their thought processes and their faux tenacity actually believing they would pull this off. What gall, what violence, what needless waste of life and resources.
I would definitely recommend this book to all of my true crime / psychology fans. Definitely lessons can be learned from this event.
I’ll say it again ! WOW! I cannot believe I had never heard this story. I talk often with my coworkers (we work in teams) so many had heard of this violent event in criminal and state history, but I still had more details ready to inflate their memories. I’ll be honest I spent some moments I hate to say “daydreaming “ ,but basically that’s what I was doing just wondering what would my city do, what would I do, if something like this happened where I live. I’m certain my daughter would be my first priority. And she would also be the one who would argue with me about being fine stop worrying it didn’t happen around here but such and such miles away. And then I’d get so furious and perturbed. Ugh children even when they are 30-still shake my head children. There is no way that each prison break is the same, and neither is every manhunt the same. This book has to be the epitome of the ultimate prison break. I rarely have issues picturing what I’m reading when I read nonfiction and this was no exception. And I’m sure most people focused on the innocent or the hunting parties, but being a strong true crime fan my mind went to the prisoners, most especially their thought processes and their faux tenacity actually believing they would pull this off. What gall, what violence, what needless waste of life and resources.
I would definitely recommend this book to all of my true crime / psychology fans. Definitely lessons can be learned from this event.
March 11, 2019
Recently I watched and enjoyed the miniseries "Escape at Dannemora" on Showtime. Directed by Ben Stiller and featuring a cast of A-listers that included Benicio Del Toro, Paul Dano, Patricia Arquette and David Morse, it won a handful of well-deserved awards for its gritty depiction of the infamous prison break from the penitentiary at Dannemora in upstate New York.
However, it was only when I picked up DANNEMORA that I really found out the entire story. Charles A. Gardner is the ideal person to pen this true crime thriller as he spent 25 years with the New York State Department of Corrections. He spends the first third of the book outlining the backgrounds of the escapees, Richard Matt and David Sweat. While the crimes that ultimately got them incarcerated were glossed over in the miniseries, Gardner gives their backstories the attention they deserve. The result is a portrait of two brutal, remorseless killers whose actions need not be glamorized but revealed for the gritty reality that made them do what they did.
DANNEMORA is not for the faint-hearted, and the unflinching descriptions of Matt and Sweat's crimes are particularly uncomfortable to read. Gardner points out that if it wasn't them, it eventually would have been another prisoner to have pulled a similar escape. New York State continued to cut resources each year; this included manpower, which impacted the prisoner to prison guard ration and made full compliance with their requirements virtually impossible. Tourists visiting New York State's majestic Adirondack Mountains Park are entering paradise. Little do they know that much of its northern realm is peppered with correctional centers like the one in Dannemora. Most people also would be surprised to learn that the prisoners in these correctional facilities are getting paid to be there and receiving medical care often more comprehensive than nearly all the residents who live in the surrounding communities.
Matt and Sweat were placed in the area known as the “Honor Block,” which provided larger, more spacious individual cells away from the general population. It also was a quiet enough area that allowed for their nocturnal activities. As you read about their escape plans, you cannot help but think of Stephen King's THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. In fact, Matt and Sweat often had a laugh at how closely their scheme resembled that of the method Andy Dufresne used to get out of Shawshank. The only difference is that their plan did not take 20 years to happen.
As I mentioned earlier, Gardner does not soften the occurrences that led to the incarceration of Matt and Sweat in any way. They are not glamorized here as they were in the miniseries, which found viewers admiring the characters because of the actors portraying them. Sweat had a violent and tumultuous youth that saw him shipped back and forth from upstate New York to Florida. No one was able to harness his mood swings, which often swung to rage and eventually criminal activities. He was finally convicted of killing a cop on the Fourth of July in the small town of Kirkwood in Western New York State. Broome County Deputy Sheriff Kevin J. Tarsia approached a vehicle early in the morning due to the suspicious activities of those inside. He was blindsided by Sweat and one of his cronies and shot several times. Tarsia's vest saved him from all but one of the bullets. However, Sweat ensured the officer's death by running him over with his vehicle and dragging him for a while until he succumbed to his injuries.
Matt's criminal actions were possibly more brutal and cold-blooded. Matt and a cohort kidnapped his 76-year-old boss from a wholesale food company after he fired Matt for stealing and selling meat products. William Rickerson was tied up, beaten and tortured. He was then thrown in the trunk of Matt's vehicle and driven around for days in freezing temperatures. Eventually, Matt grew tired, having found only less than a hundred dollars and a few credit cards in Rickerson's possession. So he snapped Rickerson's neck, hacked his body up and tossed each part of him into the nearly frozen Niagara River. It was this sadistic act that earned him the nickname “Hacksaw.”
The latter part of DANNEMORA focuses on something that was not really depicted fully in the miniseries: the three-week-long manhunt for Matt and Sweat after they escaped the Clinton Correctional Facility. These men were considered incredibly dangerous, and every single body of law enforcement --- from the FBI to U.S. Marshals and even Homeland Security --- was involved. The Canadian Mounted Police Force was on alert in case they decided to make a run for the northern border.
Matt and Sweat were supposed to be picked up by Joyce Mitchell after their escape, driven to Virginia to hide out for a few weeks, and then head to Mexico once the search began to dwindle. When Mitchell did not show up due to a panic attack that got her hospitalized, the escapees had to flee into the Adirondack Mountains on foot to regroup. Even though they were not far from the Canadian border, it would’ve been extremely difficult to evade everyone searching for them while navigating through the treacherous mountain terrain. Ironically, an off-duty prison guard named John "Stumpy" Stockwell happened upon them as they were hiding out in his cabin in Camp Twisted Horn.
The pair eventually split up --- more likely that Sweat left the older and hobbled Matt behind --- and they were picked off one at a time. Charles A. Gardner brings this exciting and nerve-wracking tale to life and tells the story as if he was writing a fictional thriller. DANNEMORA is an engaging read from start to finish that sheds light on the many issues we have with correctional facilities in New York State and the rest of the country.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
However, it was only when I picked up DANNEMORA that I really found out the entire story. Charles A. Gardner is the ideal person to pen this true crime thriller as he spent 25 years with the New York State Department of Corrections. He spends the first third of the book outlining the backgrounds of the escapees, Richard Matt and David Sweat. While the crimes that ultimately got them incarcerated were glossed over in the miniseries, Gardner gives their backstories the attention they deserve. The result is a portrait of two brutal, remorseless killers whose actions need not be glamorized but revealed for the gritty reality that made them do what they did.
DANNEMORA is not for the faint-hearted, and the unflinching descriptions of Matt and Sweat's crimes are particularly uncomfortable to read. Gardner points out that if it wasn't them, it eventually would have been another prisoner to have pulled a similar escape. New York State continued to cut resources each year; this included manpower, which impacted the prisoner to prison guard ration and made full compliance with their requirements virtually impossible. Tourists visiting New York State's majestic Adirondack Mountains Park are entering paradise. Little do they know that much of its northern realm is peppered with correctional centers like the one in Dannemora. Most people also would be surprised to learn that the prisoners in these correctional facilities are getting paid to be there and receiving medical care often more comprehensive than nearly all the residents who live in the surrounding communities.
Matt and Sweat were placed in the area known as the “Honor Block,” which provided larger, more spacious individual cells away from the general population. It also was a quiet enough area that allowed for their nocturnal activities. As you read about their escape plans, you cannot help but think of Stephen King's THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. In fact, Matt and Sweat often had a laugh at how closely their scheme resembled that of the method Andy Dufresne used to get out of Shawshank. The only difference is that their plan did not take 20 years to happen.
As I mentioned earlier, Gardner does not soften the occurrences that led to the incarceration of Matt and Sweat in any way. They are not glamorized here as they were in the miniseries, which found viewers admiring the characters because of the actors portraying them. Sweat had a violent and tumultuous youth that saw him shipped back and forth from upstate New York to Florida. No one was able to harness his mood swings, which often swung to rage and eventually criminal activities. He was finally convicted of killing a cop on the Fourth of July in the small town of Kirkwood in Western New York State. Broome County Deputy Sheriff Kevin J. Tarsia approached a vehicle early in the morning due to the suspicious activities of those inside. He was blindsided by Sweat and one of his cronies and shot several times. Tarsia's vest saved him from all but one of the bullets. However, Sweat ensured the officer's death by running him over with his vehicle and dragging him for a while until he succumbed to his injuries.
Matt's criminal actions were possibly more brutal and cold-blooded. Matt and a cohort kidnapped his 76-year-old boss from a wholesale food company after he fired Matt for stealing and selling meat products. William Rickerson was tied up, beaten and tortured. He was then thrown in the trunk of Matt's vehicle and driven around for days in freezing temperatures. Eventually, Matt grew tired, having found only less than a hundred dollars and a few credit cards in Rickerson's possession. So he snapped Rickerson's neck, hacked his body up and tossed each part of him into the nearly frozen Niagara River. It was this sadistic act that earned him the nickname “Hacksaw.”
The latter part of DANNEMORA focuses on something that was not really depicted fully in the miniseries: the three-week-long manhunt for Matt and Sweat after they escaped the Clinton Correctional Facility. These men were considered incredibly dangerous, and every single body of law enforcement --- from the FBI to U.S. Marshals and even Homeland Security --- was involved. The Canadian Mounted Police Force was on alert in case they decided to make a run for the northern border.
Matt and Sweat were supposed to be picked up by Joyce Mitchell after their escape, driven to Virginia to hide out for a few weeks, and then head to Mexico once the search began to dwindle. When Mitchell did not show up due to a panic attack that got her hospitalized, the escapees had to flee into the Adirondack Mountains on foot to regroup. Even though they were not far from the Canadian border, it would’ve been extremely difficult to evade everyone searching for them while navigating through the treacherous mountain terrain. Ironically, an off-duty prison guard named John "Stumpy" Stockwell happened upon them as they were hiding out in his cabin in Camp Twisted Horn.
The pair eventually split up --- more likely that Sweat left the older and hobbled Matt behind --- and they were picked off one at a time. Charles A. Gardner brings this exciting and nerve-wracking tale to life and tells the story as if he was writing a fictional thriller. DANNEMORA is an engaging read from start to finish that sheds light on the many issues we have with correctional facilities in New York State and the rest of the country.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
May 15, 2019
I really struggled with the star rating of this book. The story itself is undeniably fascinating. And when the author sticks to the facts, it's a great read. But for a work for nonfiction, this book is extraordinarily biased. The author seems to feel contempt for public defenders, prisoners' civil rights, and anything that portrays prisoners as anything other than two dimensional villains. I find it a little fishy that many of the positive reviews of this book are from people that recieved galleys.
December 21, 2022
I put needs editor but unbelievably this book had one. It does not live up to the hype of Three Weeks of Terror. The author has an agenda he is very pro law enforcement; that’s fine but it’s not disclosed.
He does an okay job with the escape plan but gets bogged down in details.
Also his casual sexism turned me off. A strip joint is a ‘jiggle factory’ and he only refers to one of the escapee’s girlfriend as ‘the pole dancer’. Men need to realize women read nonfiction.
He also dwelled a little too much on the gory details of the crimes.
He does an okay job with the escape plan but gets bogged down in details.
Also his casual sexism turned me off. A strip joint is a ‘jiggle factory’ and he only refers to one of the escapee’s girlfriend as ‘the pole dancer’. Men need to realize women read nonfiction.
He also dwelled a little too much on the gory details of the crimes.
April 23, 2019
The news coverage was more interesting than this book, written by one of the head guards of the prison. The two prisoners who escaped were quite the piece of work. No different however than others wanting to manipulate staff to their advantage. The author has the most disdain for the female shop supervisor that brought in the tools necessary for the inmates to escape. Bored, lonely people that work at the prison, are caught in the net.
November 18, 2019
This is an interesting story of a prison breakout and the search that developed. It brought out many aspects of prison life and its community that need addressing: better funding, more staffing, increased surveillance.
However, the author is rather biased. He's an ex-prison guard in the prison depicted in this book. He has thoughts & ideas of what is wrong with the system & the facility. His thoughts get inbetween the story.
However, the author is rather biased. He's an ex-prison guard in the prison depicted in this book. He has thoughts & ideas of what is wrong with the system & the facility. His thoughts get inbetween the story.
May 29, 2019
DNF. Poorly written.
August 5, 2019
There's a way to tell this fascinating story without using this platform as a soapbox for your politics. I found the writing juvenile and I was sorely disappointed.
October 30, 2019
Bailed out. We get it. These are bad guys. Snarling editorializing about them got repetitive and tiresome. I’ll wait for the movie.
April 14, 2020
More like 2.5. I was really excited to read this and it was really disappointing. The writing and the storytelling were not great.
September 6, 2019
Title: Dannemora:Two Escaped Killers , Three Weeks of Terror, and the Longest Manhunt Ever in New York State
Author: Charles A.Gardner
Genre: Nonfiction True crime
Pages: 304
Publisher: Citadel Press
Published: February 26, 2019
Rating: 4.5
The Prison Break, the Manhunt, the Inside Story
In June 2015, two vicious convicted murderers broke out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, in New York's North Country, launching the most extensive manhunt in state history. Aided by prison employee Joyce Mitchell, double murderer Richard Matt and cop-killer David Sweat slipped out of their cells, followed a network of tunnels and pipes under the thirty-foot prison wall, and climbed out of a manhole to freedom.
For three weeks, the residents of local communities were virtual prisoners in their own homes as law enforcement from across the nation swept the rural wilderness near the Canadian border. The manhunt made front-page headlines--as did the prison sex scandal involving both inmates and Joyce Mitchell--and culminated in a dramatic and bloody standoff.
Now Charles A. Gardner--a lifelong resident of the community and a former correction officer who began his training at Clinton and ultimately oversaw the training of staff in twelve prisons, including Clinton--tells the whole story from an insider's point of view.
From the lax ethics and sexual hunger that drove Joyce Mitchell to fraternize with Matt and Sweat, smuggle them tools, and offer to be their getaway driver, to the state budget cuts that paved the way for prison corruption, to the brave and tireless efforts to bring the escaped killers to justice, Dannemora is a gripping account of the circumstances that led to the bold breakout and the twenty-three-day search that culminated in one man dead, and one man back in custody--and lingering questions about those who set the deadly drama in motion
My thoughts
Would I recommend it ? Yes
Will I read anything else by this author ? Maybe
I've never heard anything about this happening and I love watching tv shows about true crime , so when a friend told me this was on Netgalley I knew right away I had to request it and read it and I'm glad that I did. The author who is a long time resident of the community and a former correction officer who began his training at Clinton and ultimately oversaw the training of staff in twelve prisons, including Clinton—tells the whole story from an insider's point of view and even at one time worked at and in Dannemora brings to life what it is like working there , and the story of how this happened and the characters of the story ,with this said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.
Author: Charles A.Gardner
Genre: Nonfiction True crime
Pages: 304
Publisher: Citadel Press
Published: February 26, 2019
Rating: 4.5
The Prison Break, the Manhunt, the Inside Story
In June 2015, two vicious convicted murderers broke out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, in New York's North Country, launching the most extensive manhunt in state history. Aided by prison employee Joyce Mitchell, double murderer Richard Matt and cop-killer David Sweat slipped out of their cells, followed a network of tunnels and pipes under the thirty-foot prison wall, and climbed out of a manhole to freedom.
For three weeks, the residents of local communities were virtual prisoners in their own homes as law enforcement from across the nation swept the rural wilderness near the Canadian border. The manhunt made front-page headlines--as did the prison sex scandal involving both inmates and Joyce Mitchell--and culminated in a dramatic and bloody standoff.
Now Charles A. Gardner--a lifelong resident of the community and a former correction officer who began his training at Clinton and ultimately oversaw the training of staff in twelve prisons, including Clinton--tells the whole story from an insider's point of view.
From the lax ethics and sexual hunger that drove Joyce Mitchell to fraternize with Matt and Sweat, smuggle them tools, and offer to be their getaway driver, to the state budget cuts that paved the way for prison corruption, to the brave and tireless efforts to bring the escaped killers to justice, Dannemora is a gripping account of the circumstances that led to the bold breakout and the twenty-three-day search that culminated in one man dead, and one man back in custody--and lingering questions about those who set the deadly drama in motion
My thoughts
Would I recommend it ? Yes
Will I read anything else by this author ? Maybe
I've never heard anything about this happening and I love watching tv shows about true crime , so when a friend told me this was on Netgalley I knew right away I had to request it and read it and I'm glad that I did. The author who is a long time resident of the community and a former correction officer who began his training at Clinton and ultimately oversaw the training of staff in twelve prisons, including Clinton—tells the whole story from an insider's point of view and even at one time worked at and in Dannemora brings to life what it is like working there , and the story of how this happened and the characters of the story ,with this said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.
July 28, 2021
I picked it because I needed to find an audiobook (and I most readily enjoy nonfiction in listening to an audiobook) before waiting for a few holds to come in and what better nonfiction audio than about two asshole prison escapees that happened north of where I live in upstate New York. Yes, I remember the publicity and fanfare and trauma for those that lived right there, but it was a nice perspective in Gardner's accounting.
He details the lives of the two escapees well before their bids at Dannemora. He details his own life living in the North Country and having worked as a correctional guard for many years. He also shares about the life of the woman from the inside/outside who was a key figure in allowing the breakout to happen by supplying tools and equipment the two men would need. Then he talks about the politics of prison.
I'm sure I liked the book more with his bias against the political machine "in Albany" and especially in how the governor handled it including all of his loving/adoring publicity stunts as this was happening to the people in these rural towns. His well-timed jabs about how he kept referring to the escapees as "gentleman" and as Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt were particularly alarming. Bureaucracy at its finest. And he leaves no stone unturned whether it was the kind of law enforcement that showed up to hunt the men, to the lives of the camps in the middle of nowhere, to the support by the community for the men and women who went wet, sleepless, and without a home-cooked meal (that they actively tried to help change) in support of their hard work. And yet, and yet, most of the changes will be short-lived.
He weaves chronologically into the aftermath from a financial, judicial, and moral understanding of what happened and I appreciated his insights, storytelling, and focus.
He details the lives of the two escapees well before their bids at Dannemora. He details his own life living in the North Country and having worked as a correctional guard for many years. He also shares about the life of the woman from the inside/outside who was a key figure in allowing the breakout to happen by supplying tools and equipment the two men would need. Then he talks about the politics of prison.
I'm sure I liked the book more with his bias against the political machine "in Albany" and especially in how the governor handled it including all of his loving/adoring publicity stunts as this was happening to the people in these rural towns. His well-timed jabs about how he kept referring to the escapees as "gentleman" and as Mr. Sweat and Mr. Matt were particularly alarming. Bureaucracy at its finest. And he leaves no stone unturned whether it was the kind of law enforcement that showed up to hunt the men, to the lives of the camps in the middle of nowhere, to the support by the community for the men and women who went wet, sleepless, and without a home-cooked meal (that they actively tried to help change) in support of their hard work. And yet, and yet, most of the changes will be short-lived.
He weaves chronologically into the aftermath from a financial, judicial, and moral understanding of what happened and I appreciated his insights, storytelling, and focus.
February 14, 2019
I received this as an ARC for my honest opinion.
This takes a look at the largest manhunt in New York. In June 2015, two hard core prisoners escaped Clinton Correctional Facility in the Adirondacks. Their escape made national news. Gardner looks at their childhoods and early adulthood. They were always on a track to hard time. He takes you inside life in prison, as a retired correction officer, he has good insight.
With the help from inside, and the cuts the NY government made to Correction Facilities, it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. The book takes you on the journey of the escaped inmates, the police, and looks at the effect this manhunt had on the surrounding areas.
Dannemora is a gripping account of the events and circumstances that led to a breakout and a 23 day search that ended with one man dead and one man back in custody. Happy Reading 😉
This takes a look at the largest manhunt in New York. In June 2015, two hard core prisoners escaped Clinton Correctional Facility in the Adirondacks. Their escape made national news. Gardner looks at their childhoods and early adulthood. They were always on a track to hard time. He takes you inside life in prison, as a retired correction officer, he has good insight.
With the help from inside, and the cuts the NY government made to Correction Facilities, it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. The book takes you on the journey of the escaped inmates, the police, and looks at the effect this manhunt had on the surrounding areas.
Dannemora is a gripping account of the events and circumstances that led to a breakout and a 23 day search that ended with one man dead and one man back in custody. Happy Reading 😉
July 19, 2019
This was a fascinating look at how two criminals were able to work the system, and the people within it, to escape and cause a deadly and quite costly manhunt in the Adirondack region of New York State. I was amazed at how smart these criminals could be - if they had put their knowledge to better use than crime and escape, they could have been contributing members of our society. Instead, they chose crime, manipulation and ultimately violence as their way of life. Learning about the history of the prison system in New York, what the guards face and of course the slimy politicians willing to do things like contaminate a crime scene for a photo op were fascinating. I really enjoyed this in-depth look at the perspective from someone who was really there!
April 16, 2019
I live in the area where this took place, Matt was shot less than 30 miles away from where I was. We followed the news, and even saw state troopers patrolling our area. This is a well-written account of what happened, and includes information I was not aware of. I also just watched the Showtime mini-series, which was also well done. Dannemora prison is a place I remember riding by, even as a child, and that wall which borders the Main Street is quite a site. The book gives insight on how it affected the residents, the police, guards, and all those who helped with the search.
February 6, 2019
As a reader who has no knowledge of the prison break incident, I feel like book provided comprehensive information about the murderers, escape, and how they were caught. The book itself did not contain in depth details; however, it contained enough information to understand the big picture of the situation.
I enjoyed the book thoroughly!
I enjoyed the book thoroughly!
April 24, 2025
3.5 stars. I found this case via the tv series about it on Netflix/Showtime and had to learn more. This book was stacked with lots of new info and analysis from an experienced source in the prison system. Very well written and constructed telling of how these 2 dangerous men accomplished what seemed like an impossible escape, and the civilians who assisted them.
July 3, 2024
Written about the true prison break that happened at Dannemora prison in New York’s Adirondack’s north country. It was written so that it was very interesting and felt like it was happening as I read it.
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