Escape from Dannemora, 2015

Note left by escapees Matt and Sweat: Have A Nice Day!

Have A Nice Day!

On the evening of June 5, 2015, inmates Richard “Ricky” Matt and David Sweat escaped from the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. They slipped through hidden holes in their neighboring cells, worked their way through the depths of the prison, and emerged from a manhole near the corner of Bouck and Barker streets in the village of Dannemora. The escapees left behind the note pictured on the left.

The escape set off a 23-day manhunt in northern New York State. The first chapter of Escape from Dannemora details the 2015 escape and manhunt, and also delves into the backgrounds of Matt and Sweat. In addition, the chapter covers the aftermath, including coverage of Joyce Mitchell, the prison employee convicted of helping the inmates prepare for their escape.


Select Chapter 1 Photos