Daniel Khalife escapes from prison but is captured 75 hours later

In the UK, a 23-year-old former soldier named Daniel Khalife made headlines following his escape from HMP Wandsworth on September 6, 2023. Khalife's escape was marked by his ingenuity, utilizing a makeshift sling crafted from trousers that he attached to a catering van. The incident led to a substantial nationwide manhunt involving significant police resources, including officers, search dogs, and helicopters. Khalife was on the run for 75 hours, during which he was seen in public locations like Marks & Spencer and McDonald's, where he purchased coffee and even stole a hat from a Mountain Warehouse store. Khalife had planned a different escape attempt for August 21, presumably with the intention to be transferred to a high-security unit at a safer facility, HMP Belmarsh. However, when this plan was overlooked by senior prison staff, he opted for a genuine escape instead. On the morning of his escape, Khalife was escorted from his cell to the kitchen at Wandsworth, where he gradually made his way out. It wasn’t until a routine headcount later that day that prison authorities realized he was missing, prompting a swift police notification. The police then launched an extensive search, focusing particularly on the Richmond Park area after CCTV footage captured Khalife wearing an olive green shirt and shorts. His movements prompted a search operation that witnessed helicopters circling the area for several hours. The authorities eventually narrowed their focus to Chiswick on September 9 due to confirmed sightings in the vicinity, leading to his eventual capture just 45 minutes away from the prison. During his arrest, Khalife was found with a mountain bike, a Waitrose bag containing a phone, receipts, a diary, and nearly £200 in cash. The arrest took place on a canal towpath in Northolt. Khalife later expressed his amusement regarding the arrest, congratulating the officer who apprehended him. In the aftermath of the escape, Khalife was not returned to HMP Wandsworth but rather moved to a high-security prison due to the severity of his actions, which also included allegations of breaching the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act while serving in the military. This development brought significant media attention and public interest, raising questions about prison security and protocol.