"The Life and Mind of Mark DeFriest"
New Film Captures Florida Prisoners Shocking Ordeal Behind Bars - DemocracyNow!
We look at the shocking case of Mark DeFriest, known as the Houdini of Florida prisons because he has tried to escape 13 times seven of them successfully. In 1979, DeFriests father died and left him a set of tools. He picked them up before they were probated. The teenager was arrested for stealing and sentenced to four years in prison. Thirty-four years later he is still there, having spent 27 of those years in solitary. He spent much of it in the notorious X wing of Florida State Prison, where he went for years without seeing the sun. We are joined by Gabriel London, director of the new film about the case, "The Life and Mind of Mark DeFriest."
Sentenced to 4 years, now has spent 34 years in prison. His crime? He picked up the tools his late father left him before they were probated. He was arrested for stealing.
Gang raped (32'34"
and solitary confinement:
Ten years of requests to see the sun (35'02"
Picking up the tools his father left for him...