Unit 02
Break-ins and Break-outs
[based on actual events]
Getting Started

Prison Break (sort of)

Criminals are notorious for breaking into or breaking out of buildings. They break into banks and steal money. They break into houses to steal electronic equipment or jewelry. After they get caught, they try to break out of prison.

But have you ever heard of a criminal trying to break into a prison? Police recently caught a man who was trying to climb over the prison's seven foot fence—from the outside. “The fence is meant to keep criminals in,” said the warden, “not keep them out.”

When asked what his reason was for trying to break back into prison, the former inmate said, “I just missed the place. It feels so much like home. Besides, free meals, free room, free TV, free Internet—what's not to like?”

But most of the officers aren't buying his story. “Believe it or not, this is not the first case we have of people breaking into prison,” said Security Chief Mel Jabson. “They break in to help others escape, or they try to sneak in illegal contraband such as drugs or cell phones. In this case, we've searched the grounds but haven't found any illegal contraband. We can only assume he had a plan for helping someone escape—but that will be hard for us to prove.”

One correction officer had an entirely different take on the story, saying, “I think he just missed his boyfriend.”

------------------------------

Thieves Break Into Prison

In another story, thieves successfully broke into a high-security prison and stole their big-screen TV. “It's a little embarrassing,” said the warden, “we still haven't caught them. If anyone has any relevant information about this case, please, let us know.”

------------------------------

Snoopy Attempts a Break Out

In yet another story, a man dressed as Snoopy, the famous cartoon dog, tried to break his cousin out of prison . Snoopy rushed into the prison's administration center with a gun and threatened to start killing people if his cousin wasn't released. Some workers finally jumped Snoopy from behind and brought him down. It turned out, the gun was a toy.

Comprehension Questions
  1. What kinds of buildings do criminals break into and why?
  2. What is the prison fence meant to do?
  3. What reason did the former inmate give for breaking into prison?
  4. What are the real reasons why a criminal might break into a prison?
  5. Why did the prison officials search the grounds?
  6. What did the prison officials assume was the reason  for the break in?
  7. In the second story, what did the criminals take from the high-security prison?
  8. What was Snoopy doing at a prison?
  9. What did Snoopy threaten to do?
  10. How did the workers stop Snoopy? What kind of gun did Snoopy have?
Discussion
  1. Do you think prison life in America is too easy? What about your country?
  2. What kinds of punishments would you like to see for different types of crime?
  3. Would you try to help a friend or loved one break out of prison?