The largest death row escape in American history took place in 1984, when six inmates, including the Briley Brothers (Linwood and James), escaped from Mecklenburg Correctional Center. The inmates had been sentenced to death for a variety of violent crimes, including murder, rape, and robbery.

The escape began when the inmates, armed with guns they had smuggled into the prison, took control of the prison guards and forced them to open the gates. The inmates then fled in a stolen van, taking two prison guards with them as hostages. The escape was so successful that the prison guards were unable to sound the alarm until the inmates had already escaped.

The escapees were on the run for 18 days, during which time they committed several robberies and a murder. They were eventually tracked down by the FBI and local law enforcement, and all six were recaptured.

The Briley Brothers were sentenced to death for their role in the escape. The other four inmates were also sentenced to death for their involvement in the escape and for their various crimes. All six men were eventually executed, with the final execution taking place in 1996.

The escape from Mecklenburg Correctional Center was the largest mass death row escape in American history. It was a brazen and daring escape, and it showed the lengths that some inmates will go to in order to avoid execution. It also showed the importance of having a secure prison system, as the inmates were able to smuggle guns into the prison and take control of the guards.

The escape also highlighted the need for improved security measures in prisons. After the escape, the prison implemented a number of new security measures, including increased surveillance and more stringent screening of visitors. These measures were designed to prevent similar escapes from happening in the future.

The Briley Brothers’ escape was a shocking event that highlighted the dangers of having a death row in a prison. It also showed the need for improved security measures in prisons, as well as the need for harsher punishments for those who attempt to escape. The six men who escaped from Mecklenburg Correctional Center paid the ultimate price for their actions, and their story serves as a reminder of the consequences of attempting to escape from death row.

The Briley Brothers’ escape from Mecklenburg Correctional Center was a daring and brazen act that shocked the nation. It was the largest mass death row escape in American history, and it highlighted the need for improved security measures in prisons. The six men who escaped paid the ultimate price for their actions, and their story serves as a reminder of the consequences of attempting to escape from death row.