Dannemora’s Famous, Infamous, Dangerous, and Unusual Inmates

David Berkowitz, former Clinton Prison inmate

David Berkowitz

The final chapter of Escape from Dannemora discusses the many famous, infamous, dangerous, and unusual inmates who have called Clinton Prison home. A few examples are listed or pictured below.

  • Matthew Armer, a career criminal who was first sentenced to Clinton Prison for operating a stolen-car ring, and sentenced again later for the murder of State Police Corporal Arthur Diffendale.
  • John Bernauer, who was initially sent to Sing Sing for the robbery of billionaire J. P. Morgan’s mansion, but was transferred to Clinton Prison after an escape attempt shortly after his sentence began.
  • Oliver Curtis Perry, who achieved the 1890s version of rock-star status due to his daring criminal exploits.
  • Lizzie Halliday, the first woman ever incarcerated at Dannemora.

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