photo courtesy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Eden_Prisons
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You may wonder what these girls are doing?
They are "visiting" the Auckland Mt Eden prison. Behind the stone wall is our prison. Separating them are the railway tracks and the mini train station and the fence. The girls hang around the fence and talk to their inmate friends.
We were stuck in a traffic jam and watched the girls for a long time. We were surprised that no guard came to stop them. My friend said, one could easily toss a tennis ball into the jail compounds. God knows what they could conceal in the tennis ball.
The original prison was a military stockade built in 1856. It became the city's main prison when the old city gaol (corner of Queen and Victoria streets) was demolished in 1865. The stone wall and the foundations were completed in 1872, the building proper was commenced in 1882 and finished in 1917.
This old prison was replaced by a private run prison. Last month, a prisoner escaped. Couple of years ago, this same prisoner escaped from the old castle using bedsheets. What a laugh.
'Houdini' escapes Mt Eden prison - again
By NZ Herald staff
6:50 AM Monday Oct 10, 2011
A man with a history of escaping has broken free from Mt Eden Prison in Auckland this morning - the second time he has escaped the maximum security prison.
Two prisoners are said to have broken into a service way, allowing Aaron Forden to exit the prison early this morning.
Forden is known as 'Houdini' for his numerous disappearing acts, including a 2008 escape from Mt Eden Prison.
He is described as a European, 30 years old, 175cm tall and of medium build. He has short reddish coloured hair. He was wearing a grey coloured sweat shirt and pants.
In his 2008 Mt Eden escape Forden used ropes and bed linen to make a rope and climb from a tower at Auckland's Mt Eden prison over a wall to freedom.
The dangling rope was spotted by a staff member and a member of the public walking past the prison early in the morning.
He managed to avoid police for three days but was captured after a dramatic high-speed police pursuit in which Forden crashed his stolen car into stationary vehicles.
Earlier this year, Forden spent eight weeks on the run, after failing to appear in court for breaching bail conditions relating to a charge of wounding with intent.
While on the run he was accused of a two-month crime spree, and was charged with ramming patrol cars, burgling homes and stealing cars, after he was caught in a Kaitaia bar in May.
In June he went on the run again after escaping from Whangarei District Court before he was captured again in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby in October.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/auckland-region/news/article.cfm?l_id=117&objectid=10757960
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23 comments:
What an unusual and fascinating post. Perfect P Post!
I visited a max security prison once - scary stuff.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
This prisoner is so good at escaping, he should be given a medal for champion escaping. After 10 escapes he should be given a free escape. Lol. He is very clever.
I think this prisoner should be asked for his views on making a prison escape-proof. In exchange for his view he could be released on bail and permanently employed as an adviser.
ps: I did laugh at your comment about the Hong Kong MP!
Ha! Houdini sure does get into a lot of trouble when he's out and about!
Considering it took 35 years to build, they didn't seem to know enough to make it very secure!
This prison that looks like a medieval castle seems a little lack, indeed. The gate resembles some I’ve seen in schoolyards. Perhaps there are many hidden cameras around and watchful eyes that are not visible to the public.
What a strange story. Now that they know he is a "Houdini" I would think they would keep a closer watch on him.
You are so right Ann, anything can be tossed out and voila, smuggled item is inside the prison walls. Looks like anybody could do the high jump on that fence. ^_^ Happy Wednesday!
ABC-Wed
Very interesting post about the prison. It is surprising that they could hang out and socialize at the wall.
Interesting post, Ann!
Thanks for a great post. The story about the escape artist was interesting. I agree that he would make a great consultant. Your first photo reminded me of a prison in our state built around that same time.
I hope he didn't harm anyone! About the girls though, wonder what they are thinking..
About your comment on anonymous comment, I do get them all the time, and mark them as spam.
If you don't want to allow anonymous comment, you can set it in your blog setting, and this take care of these spammers!
You have to admire his tenacity, escaped using bed sheets haha! Shouldn't laugh he's obviously a bad sort. Great story Ann.
From far the prison looks like a castle, lol ! When I read your story I thought about the "Fugitif" I wonder when he will escape next ?
That's a scary story!
Fascinating
Good choice for P, especially having a story to go along with it.
Wow, not so secured eh? Late visiting from ABC Wednesday.
You can find my Presidents of the United States entry through the link. Thanks!
You always post the most influential and educational blogs each time I visit. Thoroughly enjoyed this one also.
And Ann, don't fret about the Thursday ThemeSong...it's just if you want to and feel like it. No worries. You'll be missed tho.
Elusive Butterfly of Love is my post for today. Thanks for stopping by on Wednesday for my Hodgepodge.
a great post - no wonder out prisoners do what they will - there are no sureties anymore with them - sad
Hello.
Fascinating post.
Thanks for sharing.
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