The Man Who Broke Into Jail
The New Yorker
by James VeriniMarch 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
In Nashville, Alexander Friedmann, a criminal-justice activist, pulled off a daring jail break by exploiting security gaps during the construction of the city's new Downtown Detention Center. On December 30, 2019, Friedmann entered the control room disguised as a laborer, wearing a hard hat and reflective vest. He stole two key sets, one with a yellow lock that could unlock almost any door in the facility. This brazen heist occurred
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Originally published on The New Yorker on 3/2/2026