Woman pleads guilty to escaping Danbury federal prison after arson conviction

Xiaoqin Yan escaped from the Federal Satellite Low facility at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury before being recaptured the same day.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:49pm

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An extreme close-up of a damaged prison cell door handle, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty aesthetic that conceptually represents the investigation into a recent prison escape.The escape of a convicted arsonist from a federal prison in Danbury exposes vulnerabilities in the facility's security protocols.Danbury Today

A 32-year-old woman pleaded guilty to escaping from a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut while serving a more than 8-year sentence for setting fire to a church in Alabama. Xiaoqin Yan, a native of China, escaped on December 10, 2024 from the Federal Satellite Low facility at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury before being recaptured later that same day.

Why it matters

The Danbury federal prison has hosted several high-profile inmates over the years, including former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and Piper Kerman, whose memoir "Orange is the New Black" was adapted into a popular Netflix series. Yan's escape raises questions about security protocols at the facility and the challenges of housing inmates serving lengthy sentences for serious crimes.

The details

Yan was convicted of arson and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien after starting multiple fires inside a church in downtown Montgomery, Alabama. Police searched her residence after the destructive blaze and found items matching those the suspect was seen carrying on video footage, as well as a handgun. At the time of the arson and her arrest, Yan was in the United States illegally due to overstaying her non-immigrant visa.

  • Yan escaped on December 10, 2024 from the Federal Satellite Low facility at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury.
  • Yan was recaptured later the same day on December 10, 2024.

The players

Xiaoqin Yan

A 32-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to escaping from a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut while serving a more than 8-year sentence for setting fire to a church in Alabama.

U.S. Bureau of Prisons

The federal agency responsible for the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, where Yan was incarcerated.

David X. Sullivan

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut who announced Yan's guilty plea.

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What they’re saying

“At the time of the arson and her arrest, Yan was in the United States illegally due to overstaying her non-immigrant visa and, therefore, could not lawfully possess a firearm.”

— U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama

What’s next

Yan is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21 and faces up to an additional five years in prison for the escape charge.

The takeaway

Yan's escape from the Danbury federal prison highlights the ongoing challenges of housing inmates serving lengthy sentences for serious crimes, especially those who are in the country illegally. The incident raises questions about security protocols at the facility and the potential for future high-profile escapes.