The State Prison in Providence was the scene of a daring escape attempt last Thursday morning when St. Paul Tip thrust a dummy pistol in a guard’s face and tried to make a break for freedom.
The incident recalls a long history of attempted escapes from the imposing fortress at Howard, where notorious criminals have plotted to outsmart their keepers and make a final bid for liberty.
Each tale of desperation has two chapters: the short, dramatic finale, in which the quick struggle and the surrender to the officers or death figure so prominently in the news; and the preceding period of stealthy planning, when patience becomes real genius and the cunning prisoner becomes consumed by a single, all-encompassing obsession: freedom.
It is a notion so infinite, so alluring, that it can prompt a man to play a game of life and death, where the odds of winning are perhaps one in ten thousand.
One notorious murderer’s meticulous planning and tireless efforts are perhaps the most remarkable example of this phenomenon.
The State Prison’s imposing walls have seen their fair share of attempted escapes, but St. Paul Tip’s audacious attempt was a stark reminder that even the most secure of facilities are not immune to the cunning and desperation of those determined to break free.
As the authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding St. Paul Tip’s failed escape, one thing is certain: the allure of freedom will always prove a powerful motivator, driving even the most hardened inmates to take risks and push the boundaries of what is thought possible.
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Key Facts
- State: RI
- Category: Violent Crime
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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