By C1 Staff
MIAMI, Fla. — The only reason why inmate Mark DeFriest continues to live behind bars is because he keeps trying to escape.
The Huffington Post reports on a new film about DeFriest’s escape attempts and his continual applications for parole, which he continues to be denied.
DeFriest has tried to break out of the Florida prison system a grand 18 times, and has failed each time. One of the more comical efforts had him spiking staff members’ coffee with LSD, causing panic and chaos inside the facility.
DeFriest has been imprisoned since 1979, when he was arrested for “trying to collect tools he claims belonged to him” after his father passed. He was originally sentenced to four years in prison for the alleged theft of tools and for running away from police.
From there the escape attempts started, earning DeFriest a lifetime stay behind bars.
The story inspired director Gabriel London to create the documentary “The Life and Mind of Mark DeFriest.”
DeFriest suffers from mild Asperger’s, among other illnesses. His constant attempts to break out have earned him the nickname of “Houdini of Florida Prison” from the media.
Another attempt had DeFriest pull out his own tooth in order to be seen by a prison dentist. Once he was patched up, he asked to use the bathroom. Once he emerged from the toilet, DeFriest pulled out two zip guns made from copper pipes and fled, hot-wiring a car before being captured once more.
His attempts to escape gave birth to a specialized class all about him, in order to educate prison staff about how he would mess with them and is now taught to incoming staff members.
DeFriest has an expected release date of 2085. His next parole hearing is August 20.