by Thoul » Wed Jun 13, '12, 10:04 pm
I think they probably made it to shore and have managed to keep under the radar ever since. A few years back, the TV show Mythbusters took a look at the reported means of escape. They recreated the scenario with period appropriate supplies - the same kind of raincoats and rubber cement the convicts would have used to make their own escape raft. With that, the TV hosts (who work in the special effects industry, on movies like the Star Wars series) were able to build a working raft, set out in the water, and paddle their way to shore. So it was possible to make that trip and survive with proper planning.
Now, it's still possible that the convicts died in their escape attempt. 50 years is a long time to keep avoiding capture, which makes it hard to believe they are still out there alive somewhere. Maybe they managed to flee the country somehow, but maybe they just fell into the water and didn't make it out. But personally, I think they did get away. They might not be alive today due to factors like age or health, though.