The 1980s were the most turbulent decade in the history of Boggo Road Gaol. Riots, roof-top protests and hunger-strikes by prisoners became the norm. On Saturday 11 March 1989 the biggest mass-breakout ever took place when eight prisoners managed to escape Brisbane Prison.  Officers remember it as the "Laundry Truck Escape". Journalists called it the "Great Escape". Prisoners called it the "Boggo Road Fun Run".