Prison Escape in Australia: The Law

The Great Escape from Fremantle Prison

• One of the most daring and iconic prison escapes in Australian history.
• Occurred in 1984 when six inmates successfully tunnelled their way out of Fremantle Prison, a maximum-security facility in Western Australia.
• The meticulously planned escape involved months of tunnelling and the creation of realistic mannequins to deceive the guards.
• Despite a massive manhunt, none of the escapees were ever recaptured, leaving behind a legend that persists to this day.

The Whiskey Au Go Go Firebombing Escape

• A unique case that involved a prison escape orchestrated as a diversionary tactic.
• In 1973, two inmates at Boggo Road Gaol in Brisbane, Queensland, set fire to the Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub, resulting in the deaths of 15 people.
• While firefighters and police were focused on the devastating fire, the two inmates escaped from the nearby prison.
• Both escapees were eventually apprehended and faced additional charges related to the escape and the deadly fire.

The Pentridge Prison Helicopter Escape

• An audacious escape that took place in 1997 from Melbourne’s Pentridge Prison.
• Two prisoners, armed with a shotgun, hijacked a helicopter during a sightseeing flight and forced the pilot to land in the prison’s exercise yard.
• The daring escape left prison guards and authorities in shock and led to a massive manhunt across the country.
• One of the escapees, notorious criminal Andrew Russell, remained at large for 46 days before being captured, while the other escapee, Peter Gibb, was caught just hours after the escape.

The Houdini of Boggo Road

• The nickname given to escapologist Raymond Denning, who achieved multiple daring escapes from Boggo Road Gaol in Brisbane, Queensland, during the 1980s.
• Denning utilized his skills as a magician and lock-picker to evade capture on several occasions.
• His most audacious escape occurred in 1987 when he squeezed through the narrow slot of a prison door during a court appearance, leaving everyone astounded.
• Denning’s ability to repeatedly outsmart the authorities earned him the title of the “Houdini of Boggo Road.

Prison escapes in Australia have fascinated the public for decades. While these stories may inspire intrigue and awe, it is important to remember that escaping from lawful custody is a serious criminal offence. The legal consequences are severe, and those who attempt to flee justice are pursued relentlessly by the Police.

From the audacious helicopter escape to the cunning feats of escapologists, the history of prison escapes in Australia reflects the human desire for freedom and the lengths individuals may go to achieve it.

However, it is crucial to recognise that such acts undermine the justice system and endanger public safety. The lessons learned from these famous escapes contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen prison security and ensure the confinement of dangerous individuals.

Accordingly, while prison escapes may capture our imagination, they serve as reminders of the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining secure correctional facilities and the constant need for vigilance in the face of those seeking to break free.

If you have been charged with a serious criminal offence, contact our criminal lawyers in Liverpool for your first free consultation.