Azkaban was supposed not to be the most secure prison of Harry Potter. However, two men showed just how easy it was to escape from the Dementors’ notice.

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Azkaban was thought to be the best prison in the Harry Potter universe. It could house any wizard no matter their ability. However, some wizards might not believe that the prison has a great reputation. While Azkaban had powerful wizards, Harry Potter’s few years in Hogwarts saw the escape from Sirius Black, who was one of the prisoners.

Siris wasn’t alone in escaping Azkaban. Another wizard escaped Azkaban years before Siris. The “inescapable jail” was very much escapable. And it appears that the Dementors responsible for guarding prisoners didn’t do their job well.

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How Sirius Black Used His Form of Animagus To Escape

As described in the Harry Potter books, Azkaban offered protection that kept Britain’s most dangerous wizard criminals safe. It was located on an Island in the North Sea. Built-in the 15th century, it has been operating since 1718. The prison used charms to hide from Muggles. Also, it was Unplottable meaning that it didn’t appear on any maps. Azkaban instead of prison guards used Dementors which appeared inhumane to many. The Dementors were known for one particular power: They could drain people’s happiness and leave them with only their worst memories. Many Azkaban prisoners were driven mad by despair and left behind to be buried in Azkaban. In 1998, the Ministry of Magic made it illegal to use Dementors in Azkaban. However, there were at least two others who managed to escape their watchful gaze.

Sirius Black became the first wizard to successfully escape Azkaban. Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban in response to Bartemius Crouch Senior’s sentence of several suspects following the First Wizarding War. This sent many Death Eaters to prison before they could use the power to escape justice. However, innocents were also sent to jail, with Sirius being one among them. Sirius was accused of the murder of Peter Pettigrew. He also claimed to have killed 12 Muggles. As Pettigrew was still living, he was the one responsible for killing the Muggles and helping Voldemort. This made Sirius’ escape to Azkaban justified.

As Harry Potter and James Potter revealed in Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban, Sirius Black, James Potter, and Sirius were best of friends. Sirius was Harry Potter’s godfather. He was able to help the boy escape Azkaban because of this. Sirius was a registered Animagus. These wizards can transform into animals. For example, Professor Minerva McGonagall, a registered Animagus could transform into a cat. Sirius’ ability to change into a dog was not known by anyone in Azkaban. After being held captive in Azkaban for 12 years, he noticed a newspaper that had Pettigrew dressed as an Animagus rat. This made him realize that he must get out to rescue Harry. He changed into his dog-like form and quickly escaped prison, without any demented realization. But he wasn’t alone in escaping Azkaban.

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Sirius Wasn’t The First Wizard to Escape Azkaban

Although Sirius’ escape from Azkaban was quite easy and quite shocking to Harry Potter’s public, he wasn’t alone in his feat. Barty Crouch Jr.’s escape was what made the Wizarding World’s first escape so embarrassing. Because his parents helped him cover up the escape, this is why it was so embarrassing for the Wizarding World. Barty joined the Death Eaters and pledged loyalty to Lord Voldemort following the First Wizarding War. When the time came, his father, who headed the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, sent him to Azkaban. His fate was sealed when his son was subject to torture by Aurors Alice (Frank Longbottom).

Crouch Sr. thought differently and did the impossible to save his son. His son, aged 19, was sentenced to life in Azkaban. After he had been released from Azkaban, he was allowed to enter Azkaban Prison. The Dementors began removing any joy he felt throughout his life. His wife died one year later from complications caused by the death of their son. Bartemius visited his wife to meet their son. Barty Sr. was able to convince her to take his place. The couple used Polyjuice Potion as a way to alter their appearances. Crouch Sr. brought his son home. His wife, disguised in Barty’s, died in Azkaban. Barty wasn’t found until Voldemort arrived and used him in an attempt to break into Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire were the only two witnesses. Azkaban was then given another black eye by history.