Between 1992 and 1996, 71 inmates escaped from custody; five inmates escaped in calendar year 1996, the lowest number in 20 years. The 1996 rate of escapes per 1,000 inmates decreased when compared to the previous 4 years. The majority of escapees (87 percent) over the period 1992-96 were from minimum-security facilities or inmates assigned to work details outside the security perimeter; there was one escape from secure custody in 1996. For 1992-96, 8 percent of escapes occurred at maximum- security prisons, 17 percent at medium-security facilities, and 75 percent at minimum-security facilities. In 1996, two of the five escaped inmates were incarcerated for robbery; 28 percent of escaped inmates during 1992-96 had been imprisoned for burglary, compared to 9 percent of the inmate population. For 1992-96 escapees were younger when compared to the total inmate population; 38 percent of the escapees were under 25 years old. Thirty-five percent of escapees between 1992 and 1996 had served less than 1 year in custody; only 22 percent had served 3 years or more. Of 1996 escapees, 20 percent had served less than 1 year in custody. Of the 71 escapees between 1992 and 1996, 54 percent were caught within 12 hours, and 79 percent were apprehended within 72 hours. In 1996 all five escapees were caught within 24 hours; 4 were apprehended within 12 hours. 17 tables, 8 figures, and appended descriptions of methods of escape from each facility for each year from 1992 through 1996