Netflix’s Escape at Dannemora: What happened to Joyce Mitchell? Explained

The seven-episode series Escape at Dannemora, which originally aired on Showtime from November 18, 2018 to December 30, 2018, became available on Netflix on October 22, 2024. Based on a true story, the crime drama series narrates the story of a prison break in 2015 that sparked a massive manhunt.

In 2015, two convicted criminals, Richard Matt and David Sweat, escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility. Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell, a married prison worker, helped the two. The escape caused a multi-million dollar manhunt following which Matt was located and gunned down by the authorities while Sweat was sent back to prison.

As for Joyce Mitchell, she pleaded guilty in court and was charged with promoting prison contraband and criminal facilitation.

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Joyce Mitchell was brought to book for her actions

Tudum published a report on October 24, 2024, that details the role of Joyce Mitchell in the prison break of Matt and Sweat. On June 6, 2015, the duo escaped from prison through a tunnel that they had dug. This, of course, required specific tools, which they obtained from prison workers.

As shown in Escape at Dannemora, this is where Mitchell enters the picture. As per a report published by The Direct on October 23, 2024, Mitchell, who was an employee in the prison’s tailor shop, was friends with Matt and Sweat. Both of them allegedly engaged in s*xual acts with Mitchell while assisting her in the tailor shop.

Mitchell reportedly procured the tools for Matt and Sweat with which they orchestrated the prison break. As per a report published by ABC News on June 28, 2017, in 2015, she “helped collect items including guns, ammunition, camping gear and a compass” for the duo.

In fact, as per reports, Mitchell was supposed to be the pair’s getaway driver after the escape, taking them to Mexico. However, her husband later abandoned the plan and never showed up that day, forcing the duo to head for the Canada borders instead.

The ABC report contains the following statement from a New York inspector general:

"The escape was possible only with the brazen assistance of Mitchell. As early as mid-2014, Mitchell developed personal relationships with both inmates in the tailor shop she supervised.”

On June 26, 2015, Matt was found and shot dead by the authorities, following an expensive and extensive manhunt. Sweat was located two days later. Mitchell, whose story in Escape at Dannemora has shocked viewers worldwide, was charged with promoting prison contraband and criminal facilitation in 2015 and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

New York Post reported on February 6, 2020, that Mitchell was released from the all-women Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, after being denied parole three times.

ABC News reports that Mitchell wept at her sentencing, saying:

"This is by far the worst mistake I have ever made in my life. I live with regret every day and will for the rest of my life."

As per The Direct, she has not been seen or heard from since 2022. She has reportedly been living a quiet life out of limelight.

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Escape at Dannemora: Streaming options, cast and crew

Apart from Netflix, Escape at Dannemora is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+, and Paramount Plus, among others.

The series was created by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin, and directed by Ben Stiller. The executive producers include Stiller, Johnson, Tolkin, Bryan Zuriff, Michael De Luca, Nicky Weinstock, and others. Jessica Lee Gagné handled the cinematography while Edward Shearmur composed the music.

The cast of Escape at Dannemora includes:

• Benicio del Toro as Richard Matt
• Paul Dano as David Sweat
• Patricia Arquette as Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell
• Bonnie Hunt as Catherine Leahy Scott
• Eric Lange as Lyle Mitchell
• David Morse as Gene Palmer
• Jeremy Bobb as Dennis Lambert
• Michael Imperioli as Andrew Cuomo
• Charlie Hofheimer as Kenny Barrile
• Jim Parrack as Kevin Tarsia

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In an interview given to the New York Post on December 22, 2018, Mitchell made it clear that she was not a fan of how her character was portrayed in Escape at Dannemora. Arquette, however, won several awards, including a Golden Globe, for the same.