Where Are They Now? 7 Shocking True Details About The Escape At Dannemora 10 Years Later

The "Escape at Dannemora" true story remains one of the most sensational and bizarre prison breaks in modern American history, a tale of two convicted murderers, a seemingly ordinary prison worker, and a 23-day manhunt that captivated the nation. As of December 18, 2025, the story is approaching its 10-year anniversary, prompting new reflections on the security failures at the maximum-security facility and the lives of the people involved. The 2018 Showtime miniseries, directed by Ben Stiller, brought the shocking events to a global audience, but the true, raw details of the escape, the manhunt, and the current fate of the key players are even more compelling and disturbing.

This article dives deep into the real-life events of the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility breakout, revealing the current status of the individuals and the crucial, dark facts that the dramatic retelling often glossed over. The story is not just about a daring escape; it's a profound look at manipulation, institutional failure, and the devastating consequences for all parties.

The True Story: Complete Biography and Current Status of the Key Figures

The infamous 2015 prison break from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York, involved three central figures whose lives were forever altered by the 23-day manhunt that followed. The details of their criminal pasts and their current whereabouts provide a chilling conclusion to the saga.

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• Richard Matt (Inmate & Escapee)
• Date of Birth: June 25, 1966
• Primary Crime: In 1997, Matt was convicted of kidnapping, dismembering, and killing his 76-year-old former boss, William Rickerson, in upstate New York. He was serving a sentence of 25 years to life.
• Other History: He also had a previous conviction for killing a man in Mexico in 1997.
• Fate: Shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on June 26, 2015, in the town of Malone, New York, 20 days after the escape.
• David Sweat (Inmate & Escapee)
• Date of Birth: June 14, 1980
• Primary Crime: Serving a sentence of life without parole for the 2002 murder of Broome County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Tarsia.
• Escape Role: He was the more tactically minded and physically adept of the pair, reportedly doing much of the intricate cutting and tunneling work.
• Current Status (2025): Sweat was captured on June 28, 2015, near the Canadian border. He was sentenced to an additional 3.5 to 7 years for the escape. He is currently incarcerated at the Attica Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in New York, continuing to serve his life sentence.
• Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell (Prison Worker & Accomplice)
• Role: A 51-year-old civilian supervisor in the Clinton Correctional Facility tailor shop. She was married to Lyle Mitchell.
• Crime: She provided the inmates with tools, including hacksaw blades, drill bits, and a punch, hidden in frozen meat. She confessed to having a sexual relationship with Richard Matt and being manipulated by both men.
• Sentence: Sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years for first-degree promoting prison contraband and fourth-degree criminal facilitation.
• Current Status (2025): Mitchell was released from the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility on February 6, 2020, to community supervision. She is now free, having served her minimum sentence, a detail that marks a major, recent update to the story.

The True Mechanics of the 'Shawshank' Escape and the Manhunt

The method of escape was so audacious it was instantly compared to the fictional prison break in The Shawshank Redemption. The reality, however, involved a complex network of tunnels and a staggering degree of institutional complacency at the Clinton Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison known as "Old Max."

The Tools and the Tunnel

The escape, which began on the night of June 5, 2015, was meticulously planned over months. Mitchell, who worked in the prison's tailor shop, smuggled the tools, including hacksaw blades and drill bits, to Matt and Sweat by hiding them in raw, frozen hamburger meat. The inmates used these tools to cut holes in the steel walls of their adjoining cells.

Once through the walls, they navigated a series of pipes and tunnels. They used the pipes as hand- and foot-holds to climb down, eventually cutting their way through a 24-inch steel steam pipe. The final stage saw them climb out of a manhole on a street just outside the prison walls in the village of Dannemora. The entire escape took less than an hour once they were out of their cells, a testament to their planning and the lack of oversight.

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The 23-Day Manhunt and Capture

The discovery of the escape on the morning of June 6, 2015, triggered one of the largest and most expensive manhunts in New York State history, involving over 1,300 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the New York State Police and the U.S. Border Patrol. The search focused on the dense, wooded areas of the Adirondack Mountains, near the Canadian border.

The manhunt ended violently. Richard Matt was tracked down by a Border Patrol agent on June 26, 2015, after a cabin was found with evidence of his presence. He was shot and killed after failing to comply with orders. Two days later, David Sweat was shot and captured by a New York State Police sergeant while walking along a road near the town of Constable, New York.

The Darkest True Facts the Miniseries Left Out

While the miniseries Escape at Dannemora was critically acclaimed for its realistic portrayal, the true story is arguably darker, revealing a culture of abuse and institutional negligence that provided the perfect environment for the escape to occur. The official investigation by New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang highlighted numerous factors that contributed to the security breach.

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1. The Omission of Torture and Abuse

One of the most significant omissions from the miniseries was the alleged culture of abuse and violence within the Clinton Correctional Facility. Reports and subsequent lawsuits indicated that the prison had a history of inmate abuse, including beatings and torture, which some critics argue was a factor in the overall breakdown of order and oversight.

2. Joyce Mitchell's Pension and Financial Aftermath

Despite being convicted for her role in the escape, Joyce Mitchell was initially expected to receive her state pension. This revelation sparked public outrage, as a prison employee who aided two convicted murderers was still legally entitled to retirement benefits due to loopholes in state law. While her conviction led to her termination, the pension issue highlighted a controversial detail about the financial and legal aftermath of the escape.

3. The Extent of Matt's Manipulation

While the miniseries showed the manipulation, the true psychological profile of the relationship was more complex. Mitchell stated that Richard Matt had threatened to harm her husband, Lyle Mitchell, and her son if she did not cooperate with the escape plan. This suggests that fear, coupled with Matt's charismatic and psychopathic manipulation, was a major driving force, rather than a simple 'love triangle' as often sensationalized.

4. The Immediate Security Fallout

The escape led to a massive internal investigation and a complete overhaul of security at Clinton Correctional Facility. The official Inspector General's Report detailed "complacent and inattentive oversight" by facility staff. In the immediate aftermath, 12 correctional employees, including a superintendent and his deputy, were either placed on leave or resigned. The prison was forced to implement new safety measures, including the installation of steel inserts in cell walls to prevent future breaches.

5. David Sweat's 'Shawshank' Comment

When interviewed, David Sweat famously likened his escape to the movie, saying, "Shawshank ain't got shit on me." This quote captures the brazen confidence and almost cinematic quality of the real-life prison break, confirming that the inmates themselves viewed their feat as a legendary accomplishment.

The Enduring Legacy of Dannemora

As the 10-year anniversary of the Dannemora prison escape approaches, the story continues to serve as a cautionary tale about prison security, the dangers of inmate manipulation, and the human element in maximum-security environments. David Sweat remains locked away in Attica, a facility known for its harsh conditions, while Joyce Mitchell is navigating life on community supervision after her release in 2020. The events of 2015 fundamentally changed the landscape of the New York State Department of Corrections, ensuring that the "Escape at Dannemora" will be studied and discussed for decades to come.