Toma Taulant, 41 years old, is an Albanian-born criminal known across Italy for his audacious prison escapes.
He stands 1.65 meters tall and has a lean frame.
He was sentenced for multiple crimes, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, assault, and violent robbery.
Originally, he was supposed to serve his sentence until October 2048.
Recently, Toma pulled off his latest escape.
His method was as daring as it was clever.
The Fourth Escape: Tools and Ingenuity
Toma secretly took a file from the prison workshop.
Back in his cell, he used it to grind the bars of his window.
Eventually, he sawed through the metal completely. 
He then tied several bedsheets together.
The improvised rope allowed him to climb down six meters.
At around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, he crossed the prison courtyard.
He scaled the outer wall and walked away.
Timing and Surveillance
Reports suggest that prison cameras recorded his escape.
However, the alarm did not trigger.
Some speculate that Toma deliberately timed the escape during a prison guard shift change.
Hours later, police found an abandoned car near a highway rest area.
It was believed that Toma left the vehicle there and met his accomplices.
Prison guards only realized he was missing around 8 a.m.
A manhunt began immediately.
Sunday was likely chosen intentionally.
Fewer guards are on duty during holidays.
Investigators later discovered the tools in his workshop.
They found files, pliers, metal parts, and wrenches.
These were used to saw through the cell window bars.
A History of Escapes
Toma has now escaped four times successfully.
His first escape was in 2009 from a prison in Terni, Italy.
He took advantage of a prison football match to flee.
He was recaptured in Milan in December.
Police found him in possession of three guns, large quantities of cocaine, and stolen items from prior robberies.
The inventory of stolen goods spanned four pages.
Toma received a sentence of eight years and seven months.
His cousin, who lived in Milan, was acquitted.
Second and Third Escapes
After three years in prison, Toma struck again.
In February 2013, he escaped from a high-security prison in Parma.
His method was almost identical—sawing the window bars and using bedsheets.
He had observed the guards for weeks, learning their routines.
By September 2013, he was caught in Belgium and sent to Lantin Prison.
Remarkably, he escaped again in December 2013.
This escape involved multiple prisoners.
Some smashed a glass container to distract guards.
Others formed a human ladder.
Toma climbed over the wall with their help.
Return to Italy and the Fourth Escape
Toma was recaptured in 2015 and extradited to Italy.
He was sent to the Milan Opera House Prison, a high-security facility.
Even with a 10-year sentence, his ultimate release date was set for 2048.
It seems he could not wait and orchestrated his fourth escape.
Public Fascination and Concerns
Over the years, Toma’s repeated escapes made him famous.
The media dubbed him the “Prison Break King.”
The public followed his story with fascination.
His latest escape sparked concern over prison security.
Italy’s prison system has long faced criticism.
Overcrowding and understaffing are persistent issues.
For instance, Milan Opera House Prison has a capacity of 900.
In reality, it holds 1,338 inmates—an occupancy rate of 153 percent.
The prison has 533 guards but needs 811 to manage all inmates.
The prison union secretary warned of serious challenges.
He said the situation strains guards and threatens inmates’ rights.
National Manhunt Underway
Authorities are investigating how Toma managed to escape.
Police across Italy launched a nationwide search.
They deployed patrols, set up checkpoints, and reinforced border controls.
There are concerns he may flee abroad.
Meanwhile, the public waits anxiously.
Everyone wants to hear how the “Prison Break King” pulled off yet another audacious escape.
