Jailbreak: Love on the Run is a recent documentary that premiered on Netflix on September 25, 2024. In just under 90 minutes, this compelling film reconstructs the dramatic prison escape of Casey Cole White, utilizing extensive archival footage and insightful interviews. The documentary also highlights the pivotal role of Vicky White in this infamous escape.
The official synopsis of the documentary reads:
“In this gripping documentary, an Alabama corrections officer falls in love with a man awaiting trial for murder and risks it all to help him escape.”
Vicky White served as the assistant director of corrections at the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Alabama for 17 years, where she met Casey White, a convicted felon. Their relationship blossomed, leading to Vicky assisting Casey in his escape on April 29, 2022.
The couple went on the run, attempting to evade law enforcement. However, after an intense 11-day manhunt, they were apprehended. Tragically, Vicky White died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Meanwhile, Casey continues to serve a life sentence in prison.
Jailbreak: Love on the Run: The Death of Vicky White
On April 29, 2022, Vicky White took Casey Cole White out of the Lauderdale County Jail under the pretense of a “mental health evaluation” appointment that did not exist.
Jailbreak: Love on the Run meticulously details Vicky’s elaborate preparations for Casey’s escape, highlighting her hopes of building a new life together. She quickly sold her house, bought firearms and camping gear, and amassed a substantial amount of cash before the escape.
This documentary utilizes an investigative lens and a wealth of archival materials to reconstruct the police efforts in tracking down Vicky and Casey. Vicky had purchased an orange Ford before the escape, which was discovered by police seven days later in a tow yard.
Subsequently, authorities used CCTV footage to trace the couple’s vehicle to Evansville, where they also located a Cadillac that Casey had driven. Ultimately, a prolonged manhunt led to their being found at a nearby motel.
On May 9, 2024, Vicky and Casey realized they were being pursued. A high-speed car chase ensued, during which their Cadillac crashed into a ditch, deploying the airbags.
With no other escapes possible, Vicky White tragically took her own life, prompting Casey to surrender immediately and plead with officials for them to “please check on my wife,” according to a report by Time published on September 25, 2024. It’s important to note that they were not legally married.
Jailbreak: Love on the Run: Vicky White’s Life Story
The documentary captures the series of events leading to Casey’s escape orchestrated by Vicky, as well as the aftermath following the jailbreak. It also delves into Vicky’s personal history, attempting to understand what led her to make such drastic decisions.
According to the statements from Vicky’s colleagues featured in Jailbreak: Love on the Run, she was a highly regarded employee, having received the “Employee of the Year”award four times throughout her 17-year tenure.
Vicky’s strong reputation led many to speculate that Casey had coerced her into aiding his escape. However, CCTV footage confirmed that Vicky acted willingly. Additionally, her colleagues later realized that the idea of escape had been on Vicky’s mind for some time as her retirement drew near.
Vicky was set to retire on April 29, 2022, the same date as Casey’s escape. Her colleagues noted in the documentary that she had expressed, “When I go, I’m going out with a bang,” and they had frequently witnessed her giving special treatment to Casey.
While her co-workers described Vicky as kind-hearted and caring, they also acknowledged that she was a lonely individual who resorted to alcohol to deal with her grief. Reports by Cosmopolitan on September 25, 2024, revealed that her former husband battled drug addiction, and her subsequent partner tragically died in a car accident.
Jailbreak: Love on the Run illustrates how Vicky’s loneliness drove her to seek a fresh start with Casey. Many interviewees suggested that Casey genuinely loved her as well. For example, former inmate Tyler Purser told the filmmakers:
“Don’t paint it out like he’s a monster. Don’t paint it out like she was a fool. They were just two people [from] different walks of life that fell in love.”
Casey White will be ineligible for parole until 2081 and is currently incarcerated at the William E. Donaldson Correction Facility in Bessemer, Alabama.
Jailbreak: Love on the Run is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Leave a Reply