List of Prison Break episodes

The following is a complete episode list for the drama/thriller television series Prison Break. The show premiered in the United States on Fox on August 29, 2005. After the broadcast of the thirteenth episode, the show was put off air for four months before resuming on March 20, 2006. The first season finale was aired on May 15, 2006. A similar schedule applied for the second season, which premiered in the United States on August 21, 2006. The season was again split in two blocks but with a shorter break. After an eight-week hiatus, the season resumed on January 22, 2007 before ending on April 2, 2007. The third season began on September 17, 2007, with an eight episode run. A hiatus over the 2007 Christmas period occurred before the third season resumed on January 14, 2008 with the airing of the last five episodes. A fourth season has been confirmed in September 2008 consisting of 22 episodes.

The series revolves around two brothers; one who, as of the pilot, has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other, a genius, who devises an elaborate plan to help him escape prison. The term "Featured character(s)" in this episode list indicates the character or characters that are featured in the secondary storyline of each episode in the series. "Series #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Season #" refers to the episode's number in each particular season.

As of September 7, 2024, a total of 65 episodes of Prison Break have been aired in addition to three special making-of episodes.

List of seasons

Season		Episodes	Specials	Originally aired	DVD release date
					Region 1	Region 2	Region 4
	Season 1	22	1	2005 – 2006	US/CAN: August 8, 2006	UK: September 18, 2006	AUS: September 13, 2006
	Season 2	22	1	2006 – 2007	US/CAN: September 4, 2007	UK: August 20, 2007	AUS: September 19, 2007
	Season 3	13	1	2007 – 2008	US/CAN: August 12, 2008	UK: May 19, 2008	AUS: December 3, 2008
	Season 4	7	1	2008 – 2009	–	–	–

Season 1

The first season contains a total of 22 episodes which were originally broadcast in the United States from August 29, 2005 to May 15, 2006. The plot revolves around the plan of Michael Scofield to break his brother, Lincoln Burrows, out of prison. It covers approximately six weeks of the characters' lives (from April 11 to May 27, 2005) - the entire length of Michael's stay at Fox River State Penitentiary.

#	Title	Writer	Director	Original airdate	# in total
1	"Pilot"	Paul Scheuring	Brett Ratner	August 29, 2005	1
	Michael Scofield is imprisoned in Fox River State Penitentiary as part of an elaborate plan to break out his brother, Lincoln Burrows, who is facing execution for a crime he didn’t commit.
2	"Allen"	Paul Scheuring	Michael Watkins	August 29, 2005	2
	A race riot is brewing amongst the prisoners of Fox River, and Michael finds that he needs something from both sides. Veronica sees the evidence that seems to prove that Lincoln did murder Terrence Steadman.
3	"Cell Test"	Michael Pavone	Brad Turner	September 5, 2005	3
	Michael plans to test whether Sucre, his cellmate, can keep a secret, but it backfires when Sucre wants nothing to do with the escape plan. T-Bag wants revenge on Michael and Abruzzi tries to get Fibonacci's location a different way.
4	"Cute Poison"	Matt Olmstead	Matt Earl Beesley	September 12, 2005	4
	Michael continues working on the escape plan while working around his new cellmate, Haywire. When Sucre discovers that his cousin Hector is making a move on his fiancee he decides he wants in on the escape.
5	"English, Fitz or Percy"	Zack Estrin	Randall Zisk	September 19, 2005	5
	Having discovered his connection to Lincoln, Agents Kellerman and Hale try to have Michael transferred out of Fox River by blackmailing Warden Pope. Michael enlists the team’s help to discover part of the escape route.
6	"Riots, Drills and the Devil Part 1"	Nick Santora	Robert Mandel	September 26, 2005	6
	Falling behind schedule, Michael maneuvers the prisoners and guards into initiating a lockdown of the prison to give himself more time to dig, but it backfires when T-Bag starts a full-scale riot that threatens Lincoln, Sara and the escape plan itself.
7	"Riots, Drills and the Devil Part 2"	Karyn Usher	Vern Gillum	October 3, 2005	7
	Michael puts the escape plan at risk to rescue Sara from the rowdy prisoners in sick-bay, leaving Sucre, Abruzzi and T-Bag to continue the digging. Lincoln must fight off an assassination attempt. Veronica and Nick follow a lead to Washington D.C..
8	"The Old Head"	Monica Macer	Jace Alexander	October 24, 2005	8
	After discovering that the guards are sitting right on top of a vital part of the plan, Michael tries to recruit Westmoreland into the escape team. Veronica, Nick and LJ find their lives in danger from Kellerman and Hale.
9	"Tweener"	Paul Scheuring	Matt Earl Beesley	October 31, 2005	9
	Michael tries to protect a young inmate from T-Bag’s predations. The escape plan is endangered when Abruzzi falls out of favour with Philly Falzone and loses control of PI. C-Note begins to investigate his suspicions about Michael.
10	"Sleight of Hand"	Nick Santora	Dwight H. Little	November 7, 2005	10
	Abruzzi and Michael try to figure out how to regain control of PI, but to do so Michael may have to give up Fibonacci. C-Note forces his way onto the escape team. Veronica, Nick and LJ are pursued by an agent of "The Company".
11	"And Then There Were 7"	Zack Estrin	Jesús Salvador Treviño	November 14, 2005	11
	The escape team and prison staff – including Sara – discover that Michael has a wife when she arrives to give him an item for the plan. Westmoreland changes his mind about escaping. Veronica, Nick and LJ try to escape Quinn.
12	"Odd Man Out"	Karyn Usher	Bobby Roth	November 21, 2005	12
	Friction amongst the escape team is at an all-time high when they discover they are one person too many. Michael prepares the final leg of the escape. Veronica receives help from an unlikely ally.
13	"End of the Tunnel"	Paul Scheuring	Sanford Bookstaver	November 28, 2005	13
	The team readies for the escape but Michael is unwilling to leave Lincoln behind, who has been placed in the solitary. Veronica goes on television to try and expose the conspiracy, with help from a turncoat.
14	"The Rat"	Matt Olmstead	Kevin Hooks	March 20, 2006	14
	With Lincoln's execution only hours away, Michael tampers with the electric chair and pleads for Sara to appeal to her father, the Governor of Illinois, to review Lincoln's case. Meanwhile, Veronica and Nick try to have Terrance Steadman exhumed.
15	"By the Skin and the Teeth"	Nick Santora	Fred Gerber	March 27, 2006	15
	When anonymous evidence leads to a stay of execution of Lincoln, Michael reformulates his escape plan. He must now figure out a way to get into and through the prison's asylum undetected.
16	"Brother's Keeper"	Zack Estrin	Greg Yaitanes	April 3, 2006	16
	This episode is set three years before Michael's incarceration and features the lives of the various main characters, prior to their time at Fox River. The main plot of the episode revolves around the murder set-up that led to Lincoln's conviction and the reason of Michael's decision to save his brother.
17	"J-Cat"	Karyn Usher	Guy Ferland	April 10, 2006	17
	Unable to answer the warden's questions about his burn, Michael is sent to solitary. Sucre is forced to make sure the escape plan stays undetected. Veronica, Nick and LJ return to New Glarus to search for information. LJ decides he wants revenge.
18	"Bluff"	Nick Santora & Karyn Usher	Jace Alexander	April 17, 2006	18
	Now in the prison's asylum, Michael tries to get Haywire to recreate the missing part of the tattoo from memory. Geary decides to auction off Michael and Sucre's empty cell to the highest bidder, and the rest of the team must raise the money to buy it.
19	"The Key"	Zack Estrin & Matt Olmstead	Sergio Mimica Gezzan	April 24, 2006	19
	Lincoln is rescued from the car crash by his father, and learns the reason behind his set-up for Steadman's murder. Michael needs the infirmary key to complete the escape plan but is unable to steal it from Sara. Abruzzi returns to Fox River.
20	"Tonight"	Zack Estrin	Bobby Roth	May 1, 2006	20
	After Bellick discovers the hole, the team resolves to make their escape immediately. With no time and no alternatives, Michael is forced to involve Sara in the breakout. Tweener joins the team. Veronica finds evidence leading to Blackfoot, Montana.
21	"Go"	Matt Olmstead	Dean White	May 8, 2006	21
	Michael betrays Pope in order to have Lincoln released from the solitary. Sara is faced with the decision to aid Michael's escape or not. Nick is forced to betray Veronica. The escape team attempts a prison break.
22	"Flight"	Paul Scheuring	Kevin Hooks	May 15, 2006	22
	Now outside the prison walls, Michael, Lincoln and six other escapees race for their freedom as the authorities close in on them. Caroline Reynolds is abandoned by the Company and decides to take matters into her own hands. Veronica arrives in Montana to find the evidence that will prove Lincoln's innocence.

Season 2

The second season consists of a total of 22 episodes and was first aired from August 21, 2006 to April 2, 2007. It directly follows the prison break from the first season. A new major character is introduced, who is FBI Special Agent Alexander Mahone, portrayed by William Fichtner. The first half of the season revolves around the escapees' journey to their family, Westmoreland's money and Michael's plan to escape the country. The second half of the season focuses on the conspiracy plot of the series. The season's plot spans approximately three weeks of the characters' lives.

#	Title	Writer	Director	Original airdate	# in total
1	"Manhunt"	Paul Scheuring	Kevin Hooks	August 21, 2006	23
	Eight hours after the escape, Michael, Lincoln, Sucre, C-Note and Abruzzi head for Oswego as FBI Special Agent Alexander Mahone is assigned to lead the pursuit of the escapees. T-Bag finds help for his cut-off hand. Veronica becomes unsuccessful while trying to bring out the evidence that Terrence Steadman is still alive.
2	"Otis"	Matt Olmstead	Bobby Roth	August 28, 2006	24
	Agent Mahone tries to lure the escapees by targeting an imprisoned L.J. as Michael and Lincoln plan another breakout. Abruzzi, C-Note, and Sucre flee on their own, while Tweener finds a ride. Bellick and Pope face tribunal for their roles in the breakout.
3	"Scan"	Zack Estrin	Bryan Spicer	September 4, 2006	25
	Michael and Lincoln go to Nika for help. Sucre searches for Maricruz, while C-Note seeks out his family, despite their being observed by the authorities. Sara is arrested for aiding the escape. Bellick and Geary become bounty hunters.
4	"First Down"	Nick Santora	Bobby Roth	September 11, 2006	26
	Bellick and Geary catch Michael, Lincoln and Nika. Abruzzi is determined to exact his revenge on Fibonacci as Mahone narrows his search on him. Kellerman approaches Sara. Meanwhile, T-Bag gets a lift from a stranger.
5	"Map 1213"	Karyn Usher	Peter O'Fallon	September 18, 2006	27
	Mahone takes an interest in the hidden millions of D.B. Cooper, with Michael and Lincoln racing to Utah in order to be the first to locate Westmoreland's Double K ranch. Sucre is determined to stop Maricruz's wedding in Las Vegas.
6	"Subdivision"	Monica Macer	Eric Laneuville	September 25, 2006	28
	Michael, Lincoln, T-Bag and Tweener search for Westmoreland's money and are unexpectedly joined by Sucre and C-Note. Mahone arrives in Utah while Haywire surfaces in Wisconsin. Governor Tancredi sees Kellerman at the United States Capitol.
7	"Buried"	Seth Hoffman	Sergio Mimica Gezzan	October 2, 2006	29
	Lincoln leaves Michael in order to go search for LJ in Arizona. Michael, C-Note, Sucre and T-Bag succeed in locating Westmoreland's money. Sara and her father are targeted by "The Company". Mahone interrogates Tweener.
8	"Dead Fall"	Zack Estrin	Vincent Misiano	October 23, 2006	30
	The fugitives split up again. Mahone is investigated by Internal Affairs regarding Tweener's death. Lincoln travels to Arizona to find LJ. Sara is hunted by "The Company". Bellick and Geary return to the hunt.
9	"Unearthed"	Nick Santora	Kevin Hooks	October 30, 2006	31
	The fugitives try again to make contact with their loved ones while the brothers head for their rendezvous. Michael makes a discovery about Mahone. Sara deciphers Michael's coded messages but so do Kellerman and Mahone.
10	"Rendezvous"	Karyn Usher	Dwight Little	November 6, 2006	32
	Michael and Sara rendezvous in New Mexico as Mahone tracks them. Lincoln and LJ are rescued from the police, while Sucre tries to reach Maricruz by phone in Nebraska. Bellick and Geary torture T-Bag.
11	"Bolshoi Booze"	Monica Macer & Seth Hoffman	Greg Yaitanes	November 13, 2006	33
	Michael has to outsmart a coyote to secure a getaway plane while Lincoln leaves LJ again. T-Bag escapes and finds Geary. Kellerman tortures Sara as Mahone figures out the location of Bolshoi Booze.
12	"Disconnect"	Nick Santora & Karyn Usher	Karen Gaviola	November 20, 2006	34
	Mahone searches for Michael's getaway plane while Michael reunites with his father. Sara escapes from Kellerman, who must face Agent Kim's wrath for his failure. C-Note risks public exposure. Bellick is implicated in Geary's murder.
13	"The Killing Box"	Zack Estrin	Bobby Roth	November 27, 2006	35
	T-Bag continues his search for Susan. Bellick returns to Fox River as an inmate, while Michael and Lincoln are also to be sent back after being arrested. Sucre is forced to parachute off his getaway plane as Kellerman hatches a plan.
14	"John Doe"	Matt Olmstead & Nick Santora	Kevin Hooks	January 22, 2007	36
	Michael, Lincoln and Kellerman go to Montana to find Terrence Steadman. Bellick has trouble with other Fox River inmates. C-Note continues his journey alone with his daughter and T-Bag invades the Hollander family.
15	"The Message"	Zack Estrin & Karyn Usher	Bobby Roth	January 29, 2007	37
	In order to broadcast a message to Sara on television, Michael, Lincoln and Kellerman kidnap a cameraman. Bellick is sent to the infirmary. Haywire buys beer for two teenagers, while Sucre steals a car in Mexico.
16	"Chicago"	Nick Santora & Matt Olmstead	Jesse Bochco	February 5, 2007	38
	Michael and Sara have an intimate moment on a train as they head to Chicago with Lincoln and Kellerman. Mahone enlists help from Bellick and corners Haywire. C-Note is held up at a diner with his daughter. T-Bag continues to hold the Hollanders hostage.
17	"Bad Blood"	Paul Scheuring & Karyn Usher	Nelson McCormick	February 19, 2007	39
	Michael and Sara seek Henry Pope for help to recover information that can bring down "The Company". As his daughter's illness worsens, C-Note decides to surrender. Sucre reunites with Maricruz while T-Bag visits his childhood home.
18	"Wash"	Nick Santora	Bobby Roth	February 26, 2007	40
	Lincoln, Michael and Sara find the evidence they need to expose the conspiracy. Mahone uses C-Note to locate Michael. Bellick goes to Mexico to find Sucre while T-Bag steals the identity of a psychiatrist. Kellerman prepares to assassinate the President.
19	"Sweet Caroline"	Karyn Usher	Dwight Little	March 5, 2007	41
	Michael uses the audio file to bargain with the President while Lincoln gets help from a friend for a backup plan. Mahone captures Sara. In Mexico, T-Bag loses Westmoreland's money while Bellick finds Sucre. C-Note is offered a way to save his family and himself.
20	"Panama"	Zack Estrin	Vincent Misiano	March 19, 2007	42
	Sara surrenders to the F.B.I. in order to allow Michael and Lincoln to escape to Panama. Bellick forces Sucre to search for Westmoreland's money with him. C-Note agrees to testify against Mahone in exchange for freedom.
21	"Fin Del Camino"	Matt Olmstead & Seth Hoffman	Bobby Roth	March 26, 2007	43
	Michael, Sucre and Bellick, each with different motives, work together to capture T-Bag. Lincoln attempts to thwart Mahone's plan to capture Michael. In Chicago, Sara attends her trial as Kellerman contemplates suicide.
22	"Sona"	Paul Scheuring	Kevin Hooks	April 2, 2007	44
	Kellerman's testimony frees Sara and Lincoln of their charges. Michael tries to save his brother from Mahone. Sucre searches for Bellick in order to find Maricruz, while T-Bag meets Bellick in a Panamanian jail.

Season 3

Season 3 of Prison Break premiered on September 17, 2007; the first seventeen minutes of the season premiere were released on the official website on August 24, 2007. The third season consists of most of the original cast with new additions and that the overall theme,according to Paul Scheuring, is "redemption". The plot continues from the second season finale, where most of the main characters have ended up in Panama. Although the conspiracy storyline has not finished, the third season's plot was "as different in tone as Season 2 was from Season 1". Due to the Writer's strike, which lasted 100 days, only 13 episodes were produced for the third season. The third season was released for DVD & Blu-ray on August 12. The season also calculates 10 days of the lives of the characters.

#	Title	Writer	Director	Original airdate	# in total
1	"Orientación"	Paul Scheuring	Kevin Hooks	September 17, 2007	45
	Michael is incarcerated in a prison along with T-Bag, Bellick and Mahone. Lincoln tries to find a way to get his brother out, Sara is missing and LJ arrives in Panama.
2	"Fire/Water"	Matt Olmstead	Bobby Roth	September 24, 2007	46
	Michael races to find a hidden Whistler before Mahone. Searching for clues outside the prison, Lincoln runs into an old friend and makes a new one. T-Bag slithers his way into Lechero's graces as the prisoners threaten a revolt due to the lack of water.
3	"Call Waiting"	Zack Estrin	Milan Cheylov	October 1, 2007	47
	Determined to speak with Sara, Michael enlists T-Bag's help to get Lechero's phone. Lincoln attempts a daring rescue of LJ and Sara. Whistler comes clean to Michael. Mahone tries to get his drugs through a lawyer. Bellick makes an enemy while attempting to acquire a pair of shoes.
4	"Good Fences"	Nick Santora	Michael Switzer	October 8, 2007	48
	After his failed attempt at rescue, Lincoln receives a deadly threat from the company. Michael formulates an electrifying escape plan from Sona. Mahone is haunted by hallucinations of Haywire. T-Bag becomes a member of Lechero's crew by murdering Nieves. Bellick's attempt to rat on Michael backfires.
5	"Interference"	Karyn Usher	Karen Gaviola	October 22, 2007	49
	A new inmate enters Sona unnerving Whistler and raising Michael's suspicions; Lincoln plans an ocean getaway with Sofia as Susan moves up the escape timetable; T-Bag tempts his fate with his latest attraction; and Sucre attempts to get goods into Sona.
6	"Photo Finish"	Seth Hoffman	Kevin Hooks	November 5, 2007	50
	Michael threatens to cancel the escape plan unless he sees proof that Sara is still alive. Whistler is accused of murdering an inmate and it is up to Michael to prove his innocence and save his life. Lincoln and Sofia help in monitoring the morning guards. Mahone may have another way to get out of Sona.
7	"Vamonos"	Zack Estrin & Kalinda Vazquez	Vincent Misiano	November 5, 2007	51
	When Michael is told Sara is dead he takes his anger out on Whistler by throwing in the chicken foot. Mahone's offer is not all that it seems. Lincoln and Sofia find themselves in trouble as Susan threatens to kill LJ. Lechero is losing his power over Sona.
8	"Bang & Burn"	Christian Trokey & Nick Santora	Bobby Roth	November 12, 2007	52
	Susan takes the escape into her own hands, leaving Michael’s life hanging in the balance; Lechero reveals a secret buried beneath Sona; Sofia uncovers more of Whistler’s past; Mahone’s freedom hinges on his testimony; and Lincoln and Sucre are targeted by The Company.
9	"Boxed In"	Karyn Usher	Craig Ross	January 14, 2008	53
	Newly appointed General Zavala takes control of Sona, by taking Michael out of it. Sucre and Linc have plans to get more money; Bellick gets into an argument with the wrong inmate; and Susan finds herself in an unexpected place. Sammy receives a gift.
10	"Dirt Nap"	Matt Olmstead & Seth Hoffman	Michael Switzer	January 21, 2008	54
	As tensions rise between Lechero and Sammy, an unexpected con throws down the chicken foot; Susan tests Sucre; Michael and Whistler continue digging; and another body is taken out of Sona; T-Bag gets a shock.
11	"Under and Out"	Zack Estrin	Greg Yaitanes	February 4, 2008	55
	Heavy rains force Michael to move up the escape timetable and break out of Sona that evening. McGrady joins in on the escape, and T-Bag and Lechero form an alliance as Bellick hopes to form one with Mahone. Lincoln and Sucre help bring the lights down on Sona.
12	"Hell or High Water"	Nick Santora	Kevin Hooks	February 11, 2008	56
	Michael & his fellow inmates make their break from Sona, but the escape doesn't go as planned for all of them.
13	"The Art of the Deal"	Matt Olmstead & Seth Hoffman	Nelson McCormick	February 18, 2008	57
	Michael & Lincoln must hand over Whistler to Gretchen so they can save LJ and Sofia's lives; Mahone seizes a golden opportunity; T-Bag shows Sona who's boss; a familiar face enters Sona as another leaves it in a body bag.

Season 4

Season 4 of Prison Break premiered on September 1, 2008. The fourth season will see the return of Sara Tancredi. The plot continues three weeks from the third season finale, where Michael drives off into the horizon to avenge the apparent death of Sara.

#	Title	Writer	Director	Original airdate	# in total
1	"Scylla"	Matt Olmstead	Kevin Hooks	September 1, 2008	58
	Michael has trailed Gretchen/Susan, Whistler and Mahone to L.A. Chaos reigns in SONA while T-Bag, Bellick and Sucre go missing. Lincoln and L.J. continue to stay with Sofia.
2	"Breaking & Entering"	Zack Estrin	Bobby Roth	September 1, 2008	59
	Michael and his gang try to break into the cardholder's house.
3	"Shut Down"	Nick Santora	Milan Cheylov	September 8, 2008	60
	Michael attempts to track the cardholder and avoid going back to prison. Wyatt finds new information regarding Sara's whereabouts. T-Bag uses a new identity to make a new life for himself.
4	"Eagles & Angels"	Karyn Usher	Michael Switzer	September 15, 2008	61
	Michael, Lincoln and Mahone must crash a police benefit to obtain the next card key and Sara's life is put at risk once again.
5	"Safe & Sound"	Seth Hoffman	Karen Gaviola	September 22, 2008	62
	The search for the next card key holder brings Michael and Lincoln to the Treasury Department.
6	"Blow Out"	Kalinda Vazquez	Bryan Spicer	September 29, 2008	63
	Michael and the team tracks a key card holder to a racetrack; Mahone gets caught with something priceless; Wyatt targets Don Self; T-Bag starts to figure out Whistler's code.
7	"Five the Hard Way"	Christian Trokey	Garry A. Brown	October 6, 2008	64
	Lincoln takes members of the team to Las Vegas where Sucre gets an indecent proposal. Sara learns about Michael's condition, and Roland pushes his luck too far.
8	"The Price"	Graham Roland	Bobby Roth	October 20, 2008	65
	Lincoln and Sucre target Pad Man to obtain the sixth and final card key. A character faces his demise at the hands of Wyatt.
9	"Greatness Achieved"	-	-	October 27, 2008	66
	The boys devise a plan to break into the company. Meanwhile, Susan B meets up with an old acquaintance.
10	"The Legend"	-	-	November 3, 2008	67
11	"Quiet Riot"	-	-	November 10, 2008	68
12	"Selfless"	-	-	November 17, 2008	69
13	"Deal Or No Deal"	-	-	November 24, 2008	70
14	"Just Business"	-	-	January 19, 2009	71

Specials

Season	Title	Narrator	Original airdate
1	"Behind the Walls"	Mark Thompson	October 11, 2005
Summing up the first seven episodes, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and actors. Background information on the show and the main characters is provided.
2	"The Road to Freedom"	John Leader	January 8, 2007
The second special episode for the series runs for approximately 23 minutes. Aired prior to the fourteenth episode preview of the remaining episodes and interviews with Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies, William Fichtner, Wade Williams, Paul Adelstein, Robert Knepper and Silas Weir Mitchell.
3	"Access All Areas"	Amanda Byram	September 23, 2007
A third special episode, aired on Sky One in the United Kingdom. This time summing up the beginning of the third season, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast. Background information on the show and the main characters is provided.

External links

• Episode summaries - At Prison Break's official site
• Episode list at TV.com
• Episode list at IMDb.com
• Episode list at TheFutonCritic.com