Frequency and Characteristics of Prison Escapes in the United States: An Analysis of National Data

Abstract

This article presents findings of a study on prison escapes in the United States from 1988 through 1998, including escape frequencies, captures, characteristics of escapees, methods employed in escaping, violence against correctional staff, and escapee involvement in further crimes in the community. Secondary analysis of data sets from the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data indicates changing escape rates, inmate characteristics, and prison characteristics through the time period. Analysis of newspaper accounts of 88 prison escapes from 1997 to 1998 provide information on the means used in escaping. The article suggests incorporating a routine activities perspective and multilevel models in research on prison incidents.