Inmate Dubbed 'Prison Houdini' May Be Freed After 36 Years

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — An inmate known as the 'Prison Houdini' for a series of escapes may be freed after 36 years.

The Florida parole commission on Wednesday will review the case of Mark DeFriest, who was dubbed the "prison Houdini" after a series of escapes that added more and more time to his sentence.

If DeFriest had just been patient and claimed his tools after his father's will had been executed, he never would have gone to prison. But his original burglary conviction eventually turned into a virtual life sentence after his escapes and other disciplinary issues in prison.

The commission reduced DeFriest's sentence more than a year ago and now can decide to release him.

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In:
• Prison
• Florida
• Crime