respect of all the prisoners. It was from these men that Dillinger learned the crime of bank robbery, and by 1933, with a parole for Dillinger, an escape plan was concocted. With Dillinger on the outside, he would rob several banks on a list composed by Pierpont and Makley, and with that money, help finance the escape. Escape attempt, December 29, 1930 On December 29, 1930, Pierpont was among a group of 12 men, led by Joseph Burns, who overpowered guard Guy Burklow and barricaded the doors of their cell block to prevent guards from entering. Pierpont let himself out of his cell with a homemade key. Burklow was able to sound the alarm, and a combined group of city police, fireman and guards were able to force the inmates to surrender. Burns had fashioned a key from a spoon, allowing the inmates to escape their cells. All the men were in Cell House D, and the break occurred at a time when the guard force was limited. Others involved in the scheme besides Burns and Pierpont were Albert Roseberg, James Jenkins, Dick Day, Howard Ware, Maurice Delature, Frank Badgley, Louis West, Wayne Williams, Willard Tex, Russell Clark, all of whom were serving long sentences for murder, bank robbery and other habitual offenses. Breakout from Michigan City In the summer of 1932, Pierpont began to make plans for the greatest prison break in Indiana history. Pierpont's fellow conspirators were Charles Makley, John "Red" Hamilton, and Russell Clark. This operation would depend on accomplices on the outside who had money for guns, bribes and a hideout. It would also need someone on the inside who was dependable who was about to be released. Pierpont approached John Dillinger about helping them to escape. In return, he would be offered the opportunity to join their bank-robbing team. The group reportedly gave Dillinger the list of the best banks and stores to rob, as well as the names of reliable accomplices. He would know almost as much as they did about bank robbery. Dillinger agreed, but insisted that James Jenkins be included in the break. In late 1932, Walter Dietrich joined Pierpont's group. He began to reveal the detailed techniques of the remarkable bank robber, Herman Lamm. By the spring of 1933, the plan was set. Pierpont was aided on the outside by his girlfriend Mary Kinder, who agreed to help with the break-out