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Florida Parole Board Reconsiders Releasing Prison Houdini

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) - A man known as Florida's "prison Houdini" for a series of jail escapes may not be going anywhere anytime soon.

Mark DeFriest was convicted in 1980 of stealing tools that would have been bequeathed to him, had he waited for his father's will to be executed in 1979.

His original four-year sentence spiraled into a virtual life term after a series of escapes and disciplinary issues.

Over a year ago, the state's parole commission voted to reduce his sentence and DeFriest hoped to be released this year. However, the board is reconsidering that decision based on new disciplinary issues.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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