Mark DeFriest | |
|---|---|
 DeFriest during the filming of The Mind of Mark DeFriest | |
| Born | August 18, 1960 |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Houdini of Florida |
| Citizenship | American |
| Education | GED |
| Known for | 7-time escaped convict |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Spouse | Bonnie DeFriest |
| Children | 0 |
| Conviction(s) | Grand theft (1980)
Burglary (1982) Escaping prison (1980) Attempting to escape prison (1981) |
| Criminal charge | Grand theft,[1] burglary,[2] escape[2] |
| Penalty | 4 years, life, 2 years |
Date apprehended | 1980 |
| Imprisoned at | Suwannee Correctional Institution |
Mark DeFriest (born August 18, 1960), known as the Houdini of Florida, is an American man known for his repeated escapes from prison, having successfully done so 7 times. Born in rural Florida, he was arrested for the first time in 1978, serving for a year. In 1980, DeFriest was sentenced to four years in prison for violating probation via illegal firearms possession, having initially been arrested for retrieving work tools that his recently deceased father had willed him before the will had completed probate. His sentence has since been repeatedly extended for having attempted to escape 13 times (including one count of armed robbery during one attempt), as well as collecting hundreds of disciplinary reports for minor infractions, leading to a cumulative stay of 34 years in prison.
DeFriest has cumulatively spent 27 years in solitary confinement. Following publicity, DeFriest was granted parole and released on 5 February 2019. Ten days later, he was rearrested as he checked into a mental health facility.
- ^ Stenhouse, Ann (5 October 2016). "Mark DeFriest was jailed for theft in 1980 but has been inside for 36 YEARS after 13 escape attempts". Mirror. Reach plc. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Cell built to house escape artist". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. 5 July 1991. Retrieved 21 January 2022.