The Old Prison of Trois-Rivières was built in 1822. Designed by architect François Baillargé, it was designated a historic monument in 1978. Originally conceived to house around forty inmates, the prison was sometimes packed with more than a hundred. Even today, similar unacceptable penal conditions – some even worse, persist around the world. Before closing in 1986, Trois-Rivières’ Old Prison was the oldest functional corrections establishment in Canada.
This escape was very interesting because after I had been searched and the cell had been searched and I was fully manacled, the media, and there were at least 5 T..V. networks, 3 radio stations, and 4 newspapers there, asked if I would attempt the escape in full view. They basically said that they had seen enough fake escapes on T.V. and wanted to be sure I could do it for real and in full view or they would not stay to cover it.
So... for the FIRST TIME ever in the world an escape artist, me, agreed to try a prison cell escape in full view.
This created a sensation and I explained how I did it step by step with no tools, picks, keys, or gimmicked gear and only using contortion, pain control, and the restraints themselves as tools to open other locks and restraints! I freed both myself and the Mayor of Trois Rivieres from his cell in a total of 8 minutes and 30 seconds. All this from a prison that has never lost a prisoner in over 150 years!
original pre-escape media releaseWorld's Most Extreme Escape Artist to Tackle "Death Row"
Condemned Cell at Historic Quebec Prison.
Ontario escape artist Steve Santini, officially named, "The World's Most Extreme Escape Artist" by the legendary Ripley's Believe it or Not!, will put his skills to the ultimate test on July 24th, 2009 when he tries to free himself from the death row condemned cell at the Old Prison of Trois Rivieres, Quebec.
At 9:00 AM on the morning of July 24th Santini will be searched by members of the media and prison staff to ensure he has no tools, keys, or lock picks to aid him in his escape and he will then be manacled and chained with over 20 lbs of shackles, handcuffs, and fetters and locked into the "Death Cell" at the historic prison.
"En Prison", built in 1822, is the second oldest historic prison in Canada and was the site of 8 hangings. The first took place in 1854 and the last in 1934. Today the Old Prison and it's "Go to Jail" visit-experience is a major tourist destination in Trois Rivieres with their ex-inmate guided tours . The Death Cell, from which no inmate has ever escaped, is fitted with a massive iron door weighing in at over 1000 lbs. Unlike modern jails where the doors are made up of bars, the door to the Death Cell has thick flat iron slats with spaces in between them so small it is impossible for an inmate to fit more than 2 fingers through the openings.
Santini will have 40 minutes to attempt his escape in private and unaided or concede public defeat. If he is successful, he will set a world record as the only escape artist in history to defeat 2 maximum security "Death Row" prison cells. In 2003 Santini garnered national media attention when he freed himself in 13 minutes from the condemned cell at the Carleton County Gaol in Ottawa which formerly housed James Patrick Whellan who was hanged at the prison for the assassination of Thomas Darcy McGee who was one of the founding fathers of Canadian Confederation.
Santini, who holds the Ripley's title, has also been featured on numerous national television shows and has been profiled in leading Canadian print media stories from coast to coast.
Steve Santini can be reached for pre-escape interviews by contacting his manager Robert Baird at 416 887 2151 or at 1 800 867 3281 www.bairdartists.com
