Whoever, having in his custody any prisoner by virtue of process issued under the laws of the United States by any court, judge, or magistrate judge, voluntarily suffers such prisoner to escape, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both; or if he negligently suffers such person to escape, he shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
June 25, 1948, ch. 64562 Stat. 735Pub. L. 90–578, title IV, § 402(b)(2)82 Stat. 1118Pub. L. 101–650, title III, § 321104 Stat. 5117Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(G)108 Stat. 2147Pub. L. 104–132, title VII, § 705(a)(2)110 Stat. 1295(, ; , , ; , , ; , (I), , ; , , .)
Historical and Revision Notes
Feb. 6, 1905, ch. 454, § 233 Stat. 698Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 32135 Stat. 1113Mar. 22, 1934, ch. 73, § 448 Stat. 456Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 244, 662e, 665 (, ; , §§ 138, 139, ; , ).
Sections 244, 662e and 665 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., were consolidated. The two latter sections merely extended application of the former. This section has been greatly condensed by changes in phraseology which do not affect the substance.
Enumeration of “marshal, deputy marshal, ministerial officer, or other person,” was omitted as surplusage.
Provision making section applicable to cases of prisoners in custody pending extradition or removal proceedings as well as prisoners convicted of offenses against the United States was likewise omitted as unnecessary.
Changes in phraseology were made.
Senate Revision Amendment
act of June 21, 1947, ch. 11161 Stat. 134section 244 of Title 18The text of this section was changed by Senate amendment in view of the , , which, by amending , U.S.C., became an additional source of this section. The amendment constitutes the last clause of this section. See Senate Report No. 1620, amendment No. 8, 80th Cong.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 104–1321996— substituted “5 years” for “two years”.
Pub. L. 103–3221994— substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $2,000” after “escape, shall be” and for “fined not more than $500” after “he shall be”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650section 631 of Title 28Pub. L. 90–578Words “magistrate judge” substituted for “magistrate” in text pursuant to , set out as a note under , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure. Previously, “magistrate” substituted for “commissioner” pursuant to . See chapter 43 (§ 631 et seq.) of Title 28.