On August 11, 1934 (90 years ago), a barge carrying 32 of America's most dangerous criminals docked at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. They were the primary prisoners. Nicknamed “The Rock,” the prison was built on a 22-acre rocky outcrop 1.5 miles offshore within the cold, turbulent, shark-infested waters of San Francisco Bay. It was considered escape-proof. There were 14 escape attempts involving 36 inmates before Alcatraz was closed in 1963. A bunch of three inmates managed to flee, but they were never found. Here's a have a look at the world's most famous prison.
ON THE ISLAND
From 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz housed roughly 1,576 prisoners, with a median inmate population of 260 to 270. The maximum capability of 336 was never reached. Many of the prison staff lived on the island with their families.
The great escape
In 1962, three inmates managed to flee from Alcatraz. However, there was never any evidence of their survival. This is how they did it:
- The three men used metal spoons to chop a gap within the wall of their cell. On the night of their escape, they placed masks manufactured from papier-mâché and human hair on their pillows to make it appear like they were sleeping in bed.
- The three crawled through the opening, made their way through a corridor behind the partitions and climbed out of a fan on the roof.
- They slid down the bakery chimney in the back of the cell house.
- They climbed over a fence and ran to the northeast shore of the island, where they launched a raft manufactured from 50 stolen raincoats.
RELATED: Is the infamous 1962 Alcatraz escape story completely false? New book suggests 'yes'
IN PRISON
The prison constructing was constructed between 1910 and 1912 when Alcatraz was a military facility. When the disciplinary barracks were transferred from military control to the Bureau of Prisons in 1933, the constructing was converted to a cell house with 4 cell blocks and reinforced cell bars to stop escapes at a price of $260,000. There were 336 cells in Blocks B and C.
THE CELL
The cells had a small sink with cold running water, a small bed and a rest room. Most men could stretch out their arms and touch every wall of their cell.
THE MOST NOTORIOUS PRISONERS OF ALCALTRAZ
LIFE IN PRISON
Prisoners arrived at Alcatraz in handcuffs and leg irons. Daily life was hard and prisoners had only 4 rights: medical care, housing, food and clothing. Leisure activities and family visits needed to be earned through exertions.
6:30 am: Morning whistle. The prisoners rise up, dress and tidy their cells.
6:45 am: Guards stationed within the dining room supervise the prisoners.
6:50 am: Second morning whistle. Prisoners stand on the doors. Guards count and unlock the cell doors.
6:55 am: A whistle sounds and the prisoners leave their cells.
7: Third whistle signal. The prisoners go to the canteen and have 20 minutes to eat.
7:20 am: The prisoners are taken to the recreation yard, to the prison or to their work cells.
7:25 am: Guards count the prisoners.
7:30 am: The workshop manager counts his group, signs the count sheet and reports it to the lieutenant.
9:30 am: rest time.
9:38 am: A whistle blows and the prisoners gather for the count. The count is reported and the boys return to their work.
11:30 am: The prisoners gather, are counted, registered and reported to the lieutenant.
11:35 am: The prisoners line up and walk to the dining room.
11:40 am: Dinner, lunch: locking up and cell counting.
12:20 pm: Unlock; the prisoners go to work within the yard or shop.
12:30 p.m.: Prisoners are counted.
2:30 am: rest time.
4:15 am: The work is finished and the counting is completed.
4:25 am: The prisoners report back to the dining room.
4:45 am: The prisoners return to their cells.
4:50 am: Permanent ban.
5, 8, 9:30 (lights out),
00:01, 3, 5: Prisoners are counted.
Sources: National Park Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons, History.com
Originally published:
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