Michigan Prison Escapees Who Have Never Been Found

It's tough to imagine a real-life prison or jailbreak. It's something you see in movies and TV shows, but it's not anything you think happens in Michigan, let alone in your backyard. However, there are at least 22 fugitives, and the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) would like to have a 'conversation' with them regarding their escape from justice.

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Michigan isn't alone in the battle against inmates who refuse to stay in custody, as a 2023 CBS News study revealed that in 23 states, there were over 1,100 instances of escape in just 5 years.

Most Escape Attempts Aren't Planned

According to the paper "Understanding Escapes from Correctional Custody," published by the Crime and Justice Research Alliance, the majority of escapes are poorly planned, if at all, with most being more opportunistic than methodically mapped out.

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With 92% of the nation's inmates who attempt to flee their incarceration being recaptured, perhaps a bit more research needs to be done before you pull a Shawshank Redemption-like move and make a break for it.

Michigan's Fugitives From Time Not Served

With the odds stacked against them, we wonder what inspires a prisoner to attempt an escape. The data suggests that receiving bad news, such as being transferred to a higher-security facility, denied parole, or charged with a new crime, inspires escape attempts.

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Whatever their reasoning or method, the MDOC is still actively looking for the few inmates who've successfully eluded capture. Here's a closer look.