Steven Jay Russell, a con artist, was known for his multiple prison escapes. He first escaped in 1992 by disguising himself as a guard and has escaped three more times since then. Russell's escapes were often motivated by love, first for his boyfriend Jim who was dying of HIV, and later for Philip Morris, a fellow inmate he fell in love with. Russell's methods of escape included creating fake uniforms, impersonating guards and doctors, and even faking a serious illness. He was eventually caught and sentenced to life in prison, where he was placed in isolation. Russell has since lost his desire to escape, but his story has been made into a film, "I Love You Philip Morris," which has been well-received by Morris himself.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Steven Jay Russell was arrested in 1992 for forging checks, watches, and a passport, and defrauding insurance.
2. Russell escaped from prison for the first time by disguising himself as a guard using a stolen radio and altered clothes.
3. After escaping, Russell lived with his boyfriend, Jim, who had HIV and was in poor health.
4. Russell was arrested again after trying to scam insurance companies to pay for Jim's medical treatment.
5. Jim died while Russell was in prison.
6. Russell met another prisoner, Philip Morris, and they fell in love.
7. Russell escaped from prison again by using a similar disguise tactic.
8. Russell and Philip Morris tried to flee to Mexico but returned to the US for medical treatment.
9. Russell was arrested again and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
10. Russell escaped from prison for a third time by falsifying his bail amount over the phone.
11. Russell was arrested again and sentenced to life in prison.
12. Russell faked having HIV to escape from prison for a fourth time.
13. Russell's fake HIV diagnosis was believed by the prison authorities, and he was released for medical treatment.
14. Russell's escapes were motivated by love for his partners, Jim and Philip Morris.
15. Russell has not escaped from prison since being sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998.
16. Russell has not heard from Philip Morris since being sentenced to life imprisonment.
17. Russell holds a grudge against Philip Morris for not visiting him in prison.
18. Russell has family and friends who visit him in prison and receives letters from fans.
19. A film about Russell's story, "I Love You, Philip Morris," was made, and Philip Morris was happy with the result.