About This Episode
What is this episode about?
The episode "Notorious Prison Breaks (Vol. 1)" from Morbid covers the history of famous prison escapes, exploring how human beings have long schemed to break free from cells and dungeons. Most attempts end in recapture and harsher punishment, but the rare successful escapes turn prisoners into legends retold in books, films, and songs long after they've died. The episode distinguishes between escapes that can be seen as justified—such as those of the wrongfully incarcerated—and others that are far less romantic, sometimes ending in deadly outcomes. Each case, regardless of its ending, reveals something about the system and culture that produced both the original sentence and the subsequent escape.
The case behind the episode
Among the escapes examined is Oberst Thomas E. Rose's daring tunnel-flugt fra Libby Prison, a dramatic chapter from the American Civil War. Colonel Thomas E. Rose of the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry led a remarkable breakout from the Confederate-held Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, on February 9, 1864. Working with Major A.G. Hamilton, Rose dug a tunnel through the prison's basement, carving a path to freedom. The operation proved extraordinary in scale: 109 Union officers managed to escape through the tunnel, making it one of the largest prison breaks of its kind during the war.
Hosts and release
Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley host the show, which combines factual research with humor and respect for victims while covering true crime, horror, and paranormal subjects. This episode of Morbid runs 45 minutes and was released as episode 836.
