Ideas from an article on Escapes as Entertainment
The concept of this manuscript is to introduce those just starting out in this Artistry to information provided by to-days leading Masters of Handcuffs and Jails. This is sort of the "facts of life." There are two main reasons that there is not a lot written about them and they are very simple. Those that get and use the key are not going to say so as it takes away all the mystery. Just as often when many artist find a way out without the key, they do not want to release their method.
I contacted people who are current on the subjects of handcuff and jail to give you the best advice available on this subject. It is my belief jail should be private and not filmed. The power of the press with a jail get-out is everything. These are far more impressive when read about rather than being seen.
To dispel any illusions about methods that have been used I call your attention to the "Houdini Codes" by William V. Rauscher. In it is a quote by the great magician Dante. He says, "I remember in 1901 when a Chicago paper devoted a half page to his, (Houdini's) supposed dexterity in getting out of the police station, when the truth is, and he never left the room of his hotel."
I would not count on getting a deal like that but there are other deals just as golden. The most important thing you need to is "How to get into a Jail." If you can't get in the jail, you can't get out. This is part of what is not talked about much these days. Knowing how to approach this subject with the police is everything. I have found in situations with the police using their shackles, they were 95% very nice to deal with.
It was rare when an officer tried to really trap me. Many police officers love helping and want you to succeed. When you are young they may be less willing to put cuffs on you. Don't read anything personal into that. Some police will lock you up and some will not. It may just be a policy thing or if you are on stage they may be afraid that you are going to get trapped.
Officers as a rule don't want you trapped in their cuffs in public. They don't want to be the bad guys so you must assure them that you can get out. Some may want a private demonstration. So you may want to prove that you can do it in private before you get on stage and that is a perfect way to feel out their cuffs and if you should fail for any reason the public will not view it.
To dispel any illusions about methods that have been used I call your attention to the "Houdini Codes" by William V. Rauscher. In it is a quote by the great magician Dante. He says, "I remember in 1901 when a Chicago paper devoted a half page to his, (Houdini's) supposed dexterity in getting out of the police station, when the truth is, and he never left the room of his hotel."
I would not count on getting a deal like that but there are other deals just as golden. The most important thing you need to is "How to get into a Jail." If you can't get in the jail, you can't get out. This is part of what is not talked about much these days. Knowing how to approach this subject with the police is everything. I have found in situations with the police using their shackles, they were 95% very nice to deal with.
It was rare when an officer tried to really trap me. Many police officers love helping and want you to succeed. When you are young they may be less willing to put cuffs on you. Don't read anything personal into that. Some police will lock you up and some will not. It may just be a policy thing or if you are on stage they may be afraid that you are going to get trapped.
Officers as a rule don't want you trapped in their cuffs in public. They don't want to be the bad guys so you must assure them that you can get out. Some may want a private demonstration. So you may want to prove that you can do it in private before you get on stage and that is a perfect way to feel out their cuffs and if you should fail for any reason the public will not view it.
1
This site is on line because of the master of handcuff knowledge, J. Lauher. Also on this site is a copy of a manuscript on Jail-Breaking by, The Great Van Tone from the twenties. This represents standard material of that time period.
Handcuffs and jail get-outs go together and that’s why jail manuscripts always have information on both. I asked Joe Fox who is an extraordinary handcuff expert, for some advice and now I can give it to you.
"Be a collector. KNOW your handcuffs. These are words of wisdom that have been passed down to through the generations by our fore-fathers and by our teachers of Escapology. The more you know how handcuffs operate the easier it will be to find a way. That knowledge is gained by collecting handcuffs and finding their weakness. This holds true for jail locks.
Read anything by Bigelow. His own, "tricks of the trade," clever subterfuge, and life experiences will give you priceless knowledge. Become a "historian", and learn WHO are past performers {aside from Houdini} that deserve your respect and recognition. Some names that can't be ignored: Cunning; Kolar; Chalen; Irby; DeVal; Randi; Trudel; and Frank Reno.
I would just like to touch on this a bit. Collecting is a great idea but it can cost, unless you can find deals. When I was young I bought a pair of Bean Improved cuffs for eleven or twelve dollars from J H Trudell. There were still quite a few cuff dealers then and they had to compete and there were a lot more available cuffs. That day is gone so if you cannot afford cuffs try to buy the keys. As an artist you only need a way out. There is quite a group of people who can help you.
Let's go over some options. One is a set up that allows you to have a key. Two is making a key to fit the jail. Three is trying to pick the lock and that is a long and involved study, as I will explain. Four is creating your own methods or formula. Sometimes what comes fourth is the best. These are the basics that you have to deal with. One good way to start is to find a jail no longer used to hold inmates.
This site is on line because of the master of handcuff knowledge, J. Lauher. Also on this site is a copy of a manuscript on Jail-Breaking by, The Great Van Tone from the twenties. This represents standard material of that time period.
Handcuffs and jail get-outs go together and that’s why jail manuscripts always have information on both. I asked Joe Fox who is an extraordinary handcuff expert, for some advice and now I can give it to you.
"Be a collector. KNOW your handcuffs. These are words of wisdom that have been passed down to through the generations by our fore-fathers and by our teachers of Escapology. The more you know how handcuffs operate the easier it will be to find a way. That knowledge is gained by collecting handcuffs and finding their weakness. This holds true for jail locks.
Read anything by Bigelow. His own, "tricks of the trade," clever subterfuge, and life experiences will give you priceless knowledge. Become a "historian", and learn WHO are past performers {aside from Houdini} that deserve your respect and recognition. Some names that can't be ignored: Cunning; Kolar; Chalen; Irby; DeVal; Randi; Trudel; and Frank Reno.
I would just like to touch on this a bit. Collecting is a great idea but it can cost, unless you can find deals. When I was young I bought a pair of Bean Improved cuffs for eleven or twelve dollars from J H Trudell. There were still quite a few cuff dealers then and they had to compete and there were a lot more available cuffs. That day is gone so if you cannot afford cuffs try to buy the keys. As an artist you only need a way out. There is quite a group of people who can help you.
Let's go over some options. One is a set up that allows you to have a key. Two is making a key to fit the jail. Three is trying to pick the lock and that is a long and involved study, as I will explain. Four is creating your own methods or formula. Sometimes what comes fourth is the best. These are the basics that you have to deal with. One good way to start is to find a jail no longer used to hold inmates.
2
There is no security risk for the state and it may be easier to have a lot of control. Some jails exist as museums or other attractions.
Picking or trying to pick a good jail lock with the press waiting for you is a high-risk adventure. This is not something you want to get stuck in. Sometimes it will help the act to get stuck but not in a jail. For instance my teacher The Great Reno used a round prison like steel cage. It was all bars and locked the neck at the top and the hands in back. The cage opened in half and closed around him. To make it worse he cold not stand up straight as it was low enough that he had to bend his knees some. This was a torture type device. One night he passed out. When revived he said, "I will attempt this again on Friday night." He could do that because he was working that place for two weeks. The result was more people in the audience to see if he could do it.
You however may not get the same chance if you blow it. Take only the sure path. Make you deals or do your work and check everything.
We will now discuss the reality of picking. Some jail locks can be defeated easy. I have knocked the double lock of a Folger & Adams lock with a piece of piano wire that had only a slight bend it. I have opened a Folger & Adams lock with a tube of glue. But you have to know the lock you are dealing with. The secure way is to have access to the lock to practice on that lock you or someone has. It still is a chance but there are by pass methods that can work
Some artists use all of their own locks and a chain to lock a cell so they can get out. This is fine. If you do it, try to use the stuff that blends in. Modern handcuffs always blend in. In a very old jail, old cuffs will blend in. It should to appear that the jail still had these old cuffs from days of old.
I would like to quote Pastor Clyde on this subject.
"Every cell has many ways through which you can leave. "Thinking out side the box" is imperative since your first, and even second plan may be thwarted by circumstances or by the actions of others. Do your homework. When in doubt, ask those who have accomplished it before. Then perfect and practice your plan." This is so important because when that cell door close's the home work is over.
There is no security risk for the state and it may be easier to have a lot of control. Some jails exist as museums or other attractions.
Picking or trying to pick a good jail lock with the press waiting for you is a high-risk adventure. This is not something you want to get stuck in. Sometimes it will help the act to get stuck but not in a jail. For instance my teacher The Great Reno used a round prison like steel cage. It was all bars and locked the neck at the top and the hands in back. The cage opened in half and closed around him. To make it worse he cold not stand up straight as it was low enough that he had to bend his knees some. This was a torture type device. One night he passed out. When revived he said, "I will attempt this again on Friday night." He could do that because he was working that place for two weeks. The result was more people in the audience to see if he could do it.
You however may not get the same chance if you blow it. Take only the sure path. Make you deals or do your work and check everything.
We will now discuss the reality of picking. Some jail locks can be defeated easy. I have knocked the double lock of a Folger & Adams lock with a piece of piano wire that had only a slight bend it. I have opened a Folger & Adams lock with a tube of glue. But you have to know the lock you are dealing with. The secure way is to have access to the lock to practice on that lock you or someone has. It still is a chance but there are by pass methods that can work
Some artists use all of their own locks and a chain to lock a cell so they can get out. This is fine. If you do it, try to use the stuff that blends in. Modern handcuffs always blend in. In a very old jail, old cuffs will blend in. It should to appear that the jail still had these old cuffs from days of old.
I would like to quote Pastor Clyde on this subject.
"Every cell has many ways through which you can leave. "Thinking out side the box" is imperative since your first, and even second plan may be thwarted by circumstances or by the actions of others. Do your homework. When in doubt, ask those who have accomplished it before. Then perfect and practice your plan." This is so important because when that cell door close's the home work is over.
3
Clyde and his wife Sharon have a wonderful site for the artist. I highly recommend that you get a pair of Hamburg 8 cuffs before they are not available again. I bought my pair in my teens from J H Trudell and I still have them. These can be used in many different demonstrations.
I believe that a jail is the perfect place to pull of so much more. For instance, if you have a rolling platform that can wheel a box, barrel or even a milk can into the cell you can have a hidden compartment in that platform to bring in any tools that you need for the cell. I don't think anyone has done this yet. It would be great press. Also a straitjacket can be a big help. After the police examine it and while you check the cell lock and key as a distraction your assistant can slip a cloth pack in the jacket sleeve with the tools that you will need.
I have learned over the years that artists don't like to talk about jail so I wade in easy. Cindy Morrison, "Cindini' has broken out of eight jails already. As I said before getting in the jail is as important as getting out. I asked Cindy how she got into those jails. Cindy replied, "They believe in my confidence." Now think about that statement. Cindy is not talking about ego, the old Houdini rap, "no jail can hold me." She is talking about knowing that you can handle the whole operation in the correct way from the press.
Here is Cindy in her own words. "A key point is that one must convince the Director or Warden of a functioning jail or prison is that the public views Artist as having skills above and beyond that of the common criminal or prisoner. Therefore my actions in a publicized jail-break are not threatening the reputation of their facility's security.
This was the case when I broke out of a cell at the notorious Angola Prison in Louisiana which still houses some of the states hardened offender. It was also known as Americas Bloodiest Prison but has many positive changes since the 60s. Angola is also noted for its influence in the motion pictures Dead Man Walking and the Green-Mile.
Remember this is all sales and feeling things out. At first one may have to get over the fear factor. That can come after you get talking to people in charge and if you are relaxed and they are easy to talk to, fear will disappear.
I believe that a jail is the perfect place to pull of so much more. For instance, if you have a rolling platform that can wheel a box, barrel or even a milk can into the cell you can have a hidden compartment in that platform to bring in any tools that you need for the cell. I don't think anyone has done this yet. It would be great press. Also a straitjacket can be a big help. After the police examine it and while you check the cell lock and key as a distraction your assistant can slip a cloth pack in the jacket sleeve with the tools that you will need.
I have learned over the years that artists don't like to talk about jail so I wade in easy. Cindy Morrison, "Cindini' has broken out of eight jails already. As I said before getting in the jail is as important as getting out. I asked Cindy how she got into those jails. Cindy replied, "They believe in my confidence." Now think about that statement. Cindy is not talking about ego, the old Houdini rap, "no jail can hold me." She is talking about knowing that you can handle the whole operation in the correct way from the press.
Here is Cindy in her own words. "A key point is that one must convince the Director or Warden of a functioning jail or prison is that the public views Artist as having skills above and beyond that of the common criminal or prisoner. Therefore my actions in a publicized jail-break are not threatening the reputation of their facility's security.
This was the case when I broke out of a cell at the notorious Angola Prison in Louisiana which still houses some of the states hardened offender. It was also known as Americas Bloodiest Prison but has many positive changes since the 60s. Angola is also noted for its influence in the motion pictures Dead Man Walking and the Green-Mile.
Remember this is all sales and feeling things out. At first one may have to get over the fear factor. That can come after you get talking to people in charge and if you are relaxed and they are easy to talk to, fear will disappear.
4
Here in her own words is Cindy again. "I also forgot to mention. I passed an Official and Surprise Shake Down by Angola prison guards. (So proud of that!) This also included their metal detecting wand over my body. Artists must go the extra mile and be prepared for things that most likely will not happen, but in some cases such as mine, "it did ". Have back-ups for your back ups! "
Even if the chief gives you the key to get out, you still need to think about it and I will explain that when I get to Mario Manzini’s comments on jails. In rare cases you should not take the deal.
But right now I want to continue. Cindy finished with this, "It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life! After the jail break the warden gave me a private tour of the prison including the death chamber. And after that I had lunch with him and other officers at the big round table. There is a kitchen where out lunch consisted of food that was grown and raised right there at Angola by the prisoners. Angola was a plantation years ago. Then the warden gave me an old Folger & Adams key to the prison. Then I said, "Well thank you but you could have given me that at the beginning and saved me a lot of trouble."
I am going to give you one more site to check for a jail break by Cindy. This is a perfect human interest story and it could be you.
Here Cindy got out of from the old jail inside the Mount Dora Historical
Society. This is the type of jail that I believe would be good for you to start with. It is not in use anymore so some of the problems may not be there. You may get more private access to the cell. Some people may not even care how you set it up. There is no publicity problem about security.
Do research in your area and find these old jails. If you were doing a charity show to help raise money for a good cause that would be a good time to approach the right people to try and set it up.
Also don't be afraid to ask for the use of the key if you don't have a way out. Even though you’re an artist you can approach them about keeping the secret on the basis of this is how it is done in certain cases. It is for the benefit of the charity and the public. Magicians bring people into their confidence. If you need, present yourself as a magician.
I have already said the police as a rule are good to work with.
Here in her own words is Cindy again. "I also forgot to mention. I passed an Official and Surprise Shake Down by Angola prison guards. (So proud of that!) This also included their metal detecting wand over my body. Artists must go the extra mile and be prepared for things that most likely will not happen, but in some cases such as mine, "it did ". Have back-ups for your back ups! "
Even if the chief gives you the key to get out, you still need to think about it and I will explain that when I get to Mario Manzini’s comments on jails. In rare cases you should not take the deal.
But right now I want to continue. Cindy finished with this, "It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life! After the jail break the warden gave me a private tour of the prison including the death chamber. And after that I had lunch with him and other officers at the big round table. There is a kitchen where out lunch consisted of food that was grown and raised right there at Angola by the prisoners. Angola was a plantation years ago. Then the warden gave me an old Folger & Adams key to the prison. Then I said, "Well thank you but you could have given me that at the beginning and saved me a lot of trouble."
I am going to give you one more site to check for a jail break by Cindy. This is a perfect human interest story and it could be you.
Here Cindy got out of from the old jail inside the Mount Dora Historical
Society. This is the type of jail that I believe would be good for you to start with. It is not in use anymore so some of the problems may not be there. You may get more private access to the cell. Some people may not even care how you set it up. There is no publicity problem about security.
Do research in your area and find these old jails. If you were doing a charity show to help raise money for a good cause that would be a good time to approach the right people to try and set it up.
Also don't be afraid to ask for the use of the key if you don't have a way out. Even though you’re an artist you can approach them about keeping the secret on the basis of this is how it is done in certain cases. It is for the benefit of the charity and the public. Magicians bring people into their confidence. If you need, present yourself as a magician.
I have already said the police as a rule are good to work with.
5
If I did not warn you about the possibility of a problem I would not be giving you all the facts of life about being a jail breaker and I would not be doing my job. This is not to frighten you but rather inform you. Years ago an American jail breaker attempted a jail break in another country. He checked out the jail ahead of time and was all set on the cell he was to be placed in. When he came back to do the stunt he was cuffed then placed in another cell and was trapped.
He received world-wide publicity. Remember this was not the American police but it is something to have in your file of knowledge.
I talked to my old friend Mario Manzini about jail breaks. Mario has broken out of twenty-six and he is still going. Mario does a lot of police benefit shows and I have done quite a few. If you do them and they are trying to raise money for their cause it is a perfect situation to pop the question, can I use your jail for publicity? Notice can I use your jail, not I challenge you to lock me up. Keep it light.
I brought up the situation of problems with this subject and asked Mario does he just trust every situation or does he use his instincts in these matters. Remember I say you may want to pass up some situations? Don't go against you gut feeling, "just" because you want publicity.
Manzini says, "I always act on my instincts and my knowledge of police. However I watch and listen and if I feel that they will try to mess me up bad I won't attempt it. I've even had bad experience with some different officers that locked me into their own handcuffs and pounded the cuffs shut so tight almost breaking my wrist and trying to break my wrist. Police like that I try to avoid." Mario is at least one of and could be the MOST experienced jail breaker alive.
Again this is not to turn you off but to make you aware. You will know if the police are for you or not. But again let me remind you, as a rule, even a rouge officer is not going to try to get you if it is a public event for charity.
Now I want to give you master challenge artist and jail breaker Michael lees thoughts on jail regarding full view and the idea of breaching security,
"I believe that full the full view does have its place. You will notice I wrote full view and not full view jail as I feel some things must remain in the unknown! This is my personal feeling.
He received world-wide publicity. Remember this was not the American police but it is something to have in your file of knowledge.
I talked to my old friend Mario Manzini about jail breaks. Mario has broken out of twenty-six and he is still going. Mario does a lot of police benefit shows and I have done quite a few. If you do them and they are trying to raise money for their cause it is a perfect situation to pop the question, can I use your jail for publicity? Notice can I use your jail, not I challenge you to lock me up. Keep it light.
I brought up the situation of problems with this subject and asked Mario does he just trust every situation or does he use his instincts in these matters. Remember I say you may want to pass up some situations? Don't go against you gut feeling, "just" because you want publicity.
Manzini says, "I always act on my instincts and my knowledge of police. However I watch and listen and if I feel that they will try to mess me up bad I won't attempt it. I've even had bad experience with some different officers that locked me into their own handcuffs and pounded the cuffs shut so tight almost breaking my wrist and trying to break my wrist. Police like that I try to avoid." Mario is at least one of and could be the MOST experienced jail breaker alive.
Again this is not to turn you off but to make you aware. You will know if the police are for you or not. But again let me remind you, as a rule, even a rouge officer is not going to try to get you if it is a public event for charity.
Now I want to give you master challenge artist and jail breaker Michael lees thoughts on jail regarding full view and the idea of breaching security,
"I believe that full the full view does have its place. You will notice I wrote full view and not full view jail as I feel some things must remain in the unknown! This is my personal feeling.
6
A number of years ago when I got out of from a jail locked with a Folger and Adams lock I had to insist to the media that I needed privacy when I attempted it, as I did not want the information getting into the wrong hands.
All BS but it it's my show; I am running it as I see fit. Now common sense told me that Folger and Adams locks were in fact being used in eighty percent of prisons through out the United States, so in reality I was being honest. Plus ask any corrections official and they will be the first to tell you that their area of "Skill" is that of group management. Most officials are somewhat familiar with the rudiments of the locks and issues like key management. But what they are "very familiar with" is the hiding of weapons, drugs and implements that can be used to possibly aid in effecting. Other than this they would probably tell you that the locks are well made and without using a key are in fact "proof."
Asked a professional artist and they would also convey to the general public that Folger and Adams make a most formable product. They do. Meanwhile being aware of that can a Folger and Adams lock can be compromised? Yes! But I sure was not going to make a correction officer look bad or make sure their job is any harder than it is. I am an artist. My job is to convey the impossible through the "Art" and not to tip anything the viewing public doesn't have a right to know.
The idea of doing a cell in full view had been suggested to me as far back as 93. But again my instinct as a performer told me that the public need not have everything hand-fed to them as is so common in to day's generation of Reality TV. So my feeling was that it would be foolish to attempt in full view, even though I have at least a half a dozen methods in my notes on ways a skillful performer could do it. Let the media indulge the performer not the other way around."
I am now going to speak about the jail key and working your promotion so you do not put the officials in a situation where you tell a lie and you need them to back it up. I will demonstrate what I mean.
Let's say you get the key to use. Do not bring up the key at all. For the press, say something like, I only had a few moments to see the cell and figure out what I had to do.
All BS but it it's my show; I am running it as I see fit. Now common sense told me that Folger and Adams locks were in fact being used in eighty percent of prisons through out the United States, so in reality I was being honest. Plus ask any corrections official and they will be the first to tell you that their area of "Skill" is that of group management. Most officials are somewhat familiar with the rudiments of the locks and issues like key management. But what they are "very familiar with" is the hiding of weapons, drugs and implements that can be used to possibly aid in effecting. Other than this they would probably tell you that the locks are well made and without using a key are in fact "proof."
Asked a professional artist and they would also convey to the general public that Folger and Adams make a most formable product. They do. Meanwhile being aware of that can a Folger and Adams lock can be compromised? Yes! But I sure was not going to make a correction officer look bad or make sure their job is any harder than it is. I am an artist. My job is to convey the impossible through the "Art" and not to tip anything the viewing public doesn't have a right to know.
The idea of doing a cell in full view had been suggested to me as far back as 93. But again my instinct as a performer told me that the public need not have everything hand-fed to them as is so common in to day's generation of Reality TV. So my feeling was that it would be foolish to attempt in full view, even though I have at least a half a dozen methods in my notes on ways a skillful performer could do it. Let the media indulge the performer not the other way around."
I am now going to speak about the jail key and working your promotion so you do not put the officials in a situation where you tell a lie and you need them to back it up. I will demonstrate what I mean.
Let's say you get the key to use. Do not bring up the key at all. For the press, say something like, I only had a few moments to see the cell and figure out what I had to do.
7
Stay away from the key issue. If you’re allowed to use a key, try to set up a simple search so you can answer the question if asked, did you have the key? You can reply that the police searched me and they did not find a key. Let's say you knew how to take an impression and make a key. The chief could say in truth that you did not have his key with you in that cell and that would be the truth. It is simple many police or official people do not want to lie to the press, so “Do Not” put them in that situation.
I want to talk to you about making a key.
It can be done but you need to know what the impression system is even if you are making a key from wax or clay impression. Even if you have this impression the key must be filed right. If you file to low it's over. If you don't file low enough, here comes making a key by impression, which is a skill. You need to be able to read marks on the key to know where to file. So you need to study what is called the art of impression or cracking a key in.
Just for your information a Folger and Adams key can be made out of wood which is easy to cut. I know this because in the 70s I had a contact that sold prison locks and he showed me the key taken from an inmate in a shake down. To make a key requires a set up with the people who are going to lock you up or a good deception on your part. You need an impression. Then realize this, jail keys are a restricted key -way. You may not be able to get a blank jail key. So when we are talking about making a key we are talking about being able to make a blank key to start with.
The next step is to cut the key or file the key. This will take time so you need to leave the jail and make the key. Then you need to get back into the jail to test the key and perhaps file it some so it fits well. It all can be done. You may even get lucky and find an old jail with an easy way out like spring latch.
Keep in mind that just because a jail is old it doesn't means it is easy. Some in use prisons may have wings or cells not used anymore. If you can get an old jail and have all the time you need to check it out, there is less pressure at first.
When you get to a certain stage you will understand the technical difficulties in using a pick system on jail locks but it can be done.
I want to talk to you about making a key.
It can be done but you need to know what the impression system is even if you are making a key from wax or clay impression. Even if you have this impression the key must be filed right. If you file to low it's over. If you don't file low enough, here comes making a key by impression, which is a skill. You need to be able to read marks on the key to know where to file. So you need to study what is called the art of impression or cracking a key in.
Just for your information a Folger and Adams key can be made out of wood which is easy to cut. I know this because in the 70s I had a contact that sold prison locks and he showed me the key taken from an inmate in a shake down. To make a key requires a set up with the people who are going to lock you up or a good deception on your part. You need an impression. Then realize this, jail keys are a restricted key -way. You may not be able to get a blank jail key. So when we are talking about making a key we are talking about being able to make a blank key to start with.
The next step is to cut the key or file the key. This will take time so you need to leave the jail and make the key. Then you need to get back into the jail to test the key and perhaps file it some so it fits well. It all can be done. You may even get lucky and find an old jail with an easy way out like spring latch.
Keep in mind that just because a jail is old it doesn't means it is easy. Some in use prisons may have wings or cells not used anymore. If you can get an old jail and have all the time you need to check it out, there is less pressure at first.
When you get to a certain stage you will understand the technical difficulties in using a pick system on jail locks but it can be done.
8
Many are made pick resistant with false gates on the tumblers that throw your feel off and make the job longer and harder. Then there is the problem even if you pick a lock on one day you may not be able to pick it on the next day. I am speaking of traditional picking here.
By pass is a system that gets around traditional picking and there are some in this art who can bring some of these methods out. I plan to give clear examples in one more manuscript,
Until that day, this is all about your showmanship and how you approach people who can let you use their jail. I repeat, use their jail. Each situation will be different. This gives you the opportunity to be creative and present the situation as you want. There is no limit. I gave you this information because this is something you can do. Here is a way you can get good publicity for an act no one sees. Remember what Cindini said, "They believe in my confidence."
I believe the main point here is this should never be a picking contest to test your ability. It is a public show that they never see and they want you to get free. Your focus should be on how to make it interesting to the press and they will make it interesting to the public.
By pass is a system that gets around traditional picking and there are some in this art who can bring some of these methods out. I plan to give clear examples in one more manuscript,
Until that day, this is all about your showmanship and how you approach people who can let you use their jail. I repeat, use their jail. Each situation will be different. This gives you the opportunity to be creative and present the situation as you want. There is no limit. I gave you this information because this is something you can do. Here is a way you can get good publicity for an act no one sees. Remember what Cindini said, "They believe in my confidence."
I believe the main point here is this should never be a picking contest to test your ability. It is a public show that they never see and they want you to get free. Your focus should be on how to make it interesting to the press and they will make it interesting to the public.
-N. Bigelow
