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He’s known as Florida’s “prison Houdini” after escaping 7 times. As Matt Galka tells us, Mark DeFriest is one of the most unique prisoner’s in Florida history, and his case was before the state’s parole board Wednesday.

Mark DeFriest was only supposed to be locked up for four years – convicted of stealing tools his father willed to him. That was in 1980.  36 years later – DeFriest is still behind bars.

That’s because DeFriest became known as the “Prison Houdini” during that time.  He tried to escape jail 13 times, succeeding about half the time.

The Florida Commission on Offender Review voted to reduce his sentence in December of 2014 for good behavior. But DeFriest – who is now in an Oregon prison – has been acting out the past year.

“He continues to be a consistent risk to not only himself but to the communities which he has gone through,” said Commissioner Richard Davison.

Filmmaker Gabe London – who documented DeFriest’s story – says he’s not getting proper treatment for mental illness.

“We’re seeing somebody who is very old, you know, who has really tried to obey the system and to get along with the system up to a point, right? And then had a collapse when the system didn’t follow though on the reentry programs and the treatment he expected,” said London.

The commission agreed that DeFriest needed rehabilitation.

“I do not think that society would be best letting Mark DeFriest come out of prison without the benefit of any mental health treatment,” said Commission Chairman Melinda Coonrod.

People on the former prison houdini’s side are worried that if action isn’t taken soon, his chances of getting treatment will disappear.

The proposal – move DeFriest to a facility in California.  It’s something the commission seemed to agree on…if California will take the former escape artist.

DeFriest was originally set to be released in 2085 before the commission reduced his sentence.  They’re set to vote on what happens to DeFriest next on Thursday morning.