New York manhunt echoes 1945 escape in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The brazen prison escape of convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat in New York state has all the makings of a Hollywood movie, but decades ago a prison escape just like it happened right here in Philadelphia.

Police believe convicted Matt and Sweat popped out of a manhole to freedom after using power tools and creating tunnels to escape New York's Clinton Maximum Security Prison.

That was just last week, but at Eastern State Penitentiary, it's an old story.

"The escape in New York has some similarities with the doomed 1945 tunnel escape at Eastern State Penitentiary," said Sean Kelley, the Director of Interpretation at the former prison.

It happened in the cell of inmate Clarence Klinedinst. He was working on masonry projects around the prison, so they let have him tools. He used the tools to make a hole and then, in the mornings, he would cover the hole with plaster so the guards wouldn't see it.

It took more than a year to cut through the stone fortress.

"Down into the earth and out 97 feet, inch by inch, lighting their way with light bulbs and wires," said Kelley, adding there were ladders going down and braces so they wouldn't be killed if the tunnel collapsed.

A total of 12 inmates escaped. Some were spotted by police right away, while two inmates made it as far as New York. But within six weeks all of the inmates were back behind bars.

They were also facing more prison time because of the escape.

Years later, one of the 12 did it again. Infamous escape artist and bank robber Willie Sutton escaped from another Philadelphia prison, only to be caught again. Historians don't condone the prison breaks, but marvel at the inmates' determination.

"It is an amazing testament to human endurance and ingenuity these guys could accomplish this over a year and a half," said Kelley.