Civilians and members of the military killed, or who have died as a result of wounds received during an escape attempt, are automatically awarded the medal.

[1] A decree of 28 December 1981 states that "any person eligible for the "Escapees' Medal" is asked to put forward a request".

[2][3] A survivor of the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup, Joseph Weismann, was awarded the Escapees' Medal in 2014 even though he did not meet the criteria set out in the 1959 decree.

Weismann had been applying for the Escapees' Medal over a period of about 15 years before the French government finally awarded it to him.

On its reverse, at center, the relief inscription on three rows (French: MÉDAILLE DES ÉVADÉS) (ESCAPEES' MEDAL) surrounded by a wreath of oak branches.