Although very few people view prison as an enjoyable experience, prison breaks have almost been glamorized in our society. While TV shows like Prison Break show the act of escaping custody to be exciting, things get much less glamorous once you are caught. However, penalties for escape can be extremely severe.
Escaping is generally a misdemeanor, with the three below exceptions:
| Felony Escape Scenarios | |
| Criteria | Prison Sentence |
| Offender is convicted Felon | 1-10 years |
| Offender is awaiting trial for a Felony | 1-5 years |
| Offender possesses deadly weapon | 1-20 years |
If multiple individuals escape at the same time and even one of them is wielding a deadly weapon, all individuals will receive a punishment that is elevated to a Felony offense. Also, if this offense generates a violation of probation, it is possible to receive a separate and additional conviction for O.C.G.A. §16-10-52 beyond the probation violation charge.