Verified answer

It's true that he held up the bank, but what the other answers don't mention is all the preplanning involved.

Scofield studied blueprints, employee backgrounds, had cash and clothes buried nearby the prison, and at various parts of the U.S. just in case. He paid someone to marry him so she could smuggle things into the prison for him. He had the prison blueprints, codes, and numbers tattooed on his body. He planned almost a year before he held up that bank.

He chose a bank in an area that would send him to Fox River.

Michael held up a bank to get arrested to get sent Fox River with the plan to break Lincoln out.

he went into his bank with a gun, told them to give all their money and shot the gun into the air.

he requested that he be sent to Fox River because he said it's close to his home. the judge accepted his request because he's had no previous criminal history. as the brothers have different surnames, no one knew they were brothers.

He held up a bank

in order to try to help his brother lincoln escape he held up a bank

btw i love the show