Home Prevention The famous prison in San Francisco. Alcatraz prison and its famous escape (125 photos)

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The famous prison in San Francisco. Alcatraz prison and its famous escape (125 photos)

Discovery of the island and its name
In 1775, the Spaniard Juan Manuel de Ayala was the first to enter San Francisco Bay. His team mapped the bay and gave the name La Isla de los Alcatraces to one of the three islands, now known as Yerba Buena. It is widely believed that the name could mean "Pelican Island", due to the abundance of these birds on the island. However, according to reports from ornithologists, there are no colonies of pelicans or gannets, either on the island or nearby, but there are many different types cormorants and other large waterfowl.

In 1828, the English geographer Captain Frederic William Beechey mistakenly transferred the name of the island from Spanish maps to the neighboring one, currently known as the site of the famous prison, under the name Island Alcatrazes. In 1851, the US Coast Guard surveyor shortened the name to Alcatraz.

History of the lighthouse

The discovery of gold in California in 1848 brought thousands of ships into the San Francisco Bay, creating an urgent need for a lighthouse. The first lighthouse was installed and launched on Alcatraz in the summer of 1853. In 1856, a bell was installed at the lighthouse, which was used in the fog.

In 1909, during the construction of the prison, after 56 years of use, the first Alcatraz lighthouse was dismantled. The second lighthouse was installed next to the prison building on December 1, 1909. And in 1963, the lighthouse was modified and made automatic and autonomous, and it no longer required round-the-clock maintenance.

Fort

As a result of the gold rush, there was a need to protect the bay. In 1850, by order of the President of the United States, they began to build a fort on the island, where more than 110 long-range guns were installed. The fort was subsequently used to house prisoners. In 1909, the army demolished it, leaving only the foundation, and by 1912 a new building was built for prisoners.

Military prison

The location in the middle of a bay with icy water and strong sea currents ensured the island's natural isolation. Thereby Alcatraz soon came to be regarded by the US Army as perfect place for holding prisoners of war. In 1861, the first prisoners of war began to arrive on the island. Civil War from various states, and in 1898, as a result of the Spanish-American War, the number of prisoners of war increased from 26 to more than 450 people. In 1906, after the San Francisco earthquake destroyed much of the city, hundreds of civilian prisoners were moved to the island for safety reasons. A large prison building was built in 1912, and by 1920 the three-story structure was almost completely filled with prisoners.

Alcatraz was the Army's first long-term prison and began to gain a reputation for being harsh on offenders, who faced severe disciplinary action. The punishment could be assignment to hard work, placement in solitary confinement with a limited ration of bread and water, and the list was not limited to this. Average age imprisoned military personnel were 24 years old, and most were serving short time imprisonment for desertion or less serious offenses. There were also those who served long sentences for disobedience to commanders, physical violence, theft or murder.

An interesting element of the military order was the prohibition of staying in the cells during the day, with the exception of special occasions forced confinement. High-ranking military prisoners could move freely throughout the prison, with the exception of the guard rooms located on a higher level.

Despite the harsh disciplinary measures applied to criminals, the prison regime was not strict. Many prisoners performed household chores for the families living on the island, and a select few were sometimes trusted to look after the children. Some took advantage of the vulnerability of the prison security organization to escape. Despite all efforts, most of the fugitives were unable to reach the shore and had to return back to be rescued from the icy water. Those who did not return died from hypothermia.

Over the decades, prison rules have become even softer. In the late 1920s, prisoners were allowed to build a baseball field and even wear their own baseball uniforms. The army command organized boxing competitions between prisoners, held on Friday evenings. The fights were very popular, with civilians from San Francisco often traveling to Alcatraz just to watch them.

Due to the high maintenance costs associated with the location, the Department of Defense decided to close this famous prison in 1934 and it was taken over by the Department of Justice.

Federal prison

In each cell there is a book “The Rules of Alcatraz”

In response to gangster crimes, the government decided to reopen Alcatraz , but already like federal prison. Alcatraz satisfied the basic requirements: to place dangerous criminals far from society and to frighten the remaining criminals who were still at large. Federal Prisons Chief Sanford Bates and attorney general Homer Cummings initiated the prison renovation project. For this, Robert Burge, at that time one of the best experts in the field of security, was invited. He was supposed to redesign the prison. During the reconstruction, only the foundation was left untouched, and the building itself was completely rebuilt.

In April 1934, the military jail received a new face and a new direction. Before the reconstruction, the bars and bars were wooden - they were replaced with steel ones. Electricity was installed in each cell, and all service tunnels were walled up to prevent prisoners from entering them for shelter and further escape. Along the perimeter of the prison building, above the cells, special weapon galleries were placed, which allowed the guards to stand watch while protected by steel bars.

The prison canteen, as the most vulnerable place for fights and brawls, was equipped with tear gas containers, which were located in the ceiling and controlled remotely. Security towers were placed around the perimeter of the island in the most strategic places. The doors were equipped with electrical sensors. The prison block contained a total of 600 cells and was divided into blocks B, C and D, whereas before reconstruction the prison population never exceeded 300 prisoners. The introduction of new security measures, along with the cold waters of San Francisco Bay, created a reliable barrier for even the most incorrigible criminals.

Boss

Before Alcatraz, Johnston was a director at prison San Quentin, where he introduced several successful educational programs that had a beneficial effect on the majority of prisoners. At the same time, Johnston was a supporter of strict discipline. His rules were the strictest in the correctional system, and his punishments the most severe. Johnston had been present at San Quentin hangings more than once and knew how to deal with the most incorrigible criminals.

Prison life

The courts did not sentence people to imprisonment in Alcatraz; especially “distinguished” prisoners from other prisons were usually transferred there. Voluntarily choose Alcatraz it was impossible to serve the prison term. Although exceptions were made for some gangsters, including Machine Gun Kelly (in those years “public enemy No. 1”) and others.

The rules at Alcatraz have changed dramatically. Now each prisoner had only his own cell and minimal privileges to receive food, water, clothing, medical and dental care. Prisoners at Alcatraz were prohibited from having any personal belongings. To obtain privileges to communicate with visitors, visit the prison library and write, the prisoner had to earn it through work and impeccable behavior. At the same time, prisoners with bad behavior were not allowed to work in prison. For the slightest offense, all privileges were revoked. All media were prohibited in Alcatraz, including reading newspapers. All letters, as in any other prison, were corrected by a prison official.

The wardens of federal prisons had the right to transfer any delinquent prisoner to Alcatraz. Despite popular belief, Alcatraz did not only house gangsters and especially dangerous criminals. Alcatraz was filled from other prisons with fugitives and rebels or those who systematically violated the regime of detention. Of course, there were gangsters, but most of them were sentenced to death.

At one time it was a legend of the American penitentiary system: the most dangerous criminals or those who managed to escape from other prisons were imprisoned here.

Prison life began with rising at 6:30, prisoners were given 25 minutes to clean their cells, after which each prisoner had to go to the cell bars for roll call. If everyone was in place at 6:55, the individual rows of cells opened one by one and the prisoners moved into the prison cafeteria. They were given 20 minutes to eat, then they were lined up to distribute prison work. The monotonous cycle of prison routine was unforgiving and remained unchanged for many years. The main corridor of the prison building was called "Broadway" by prisoners, and the cells on the second tier along this passage were the most coveted in the prison. Other cells were located downstairs, were cold, and were frequently passed by staff and prisoners.

IN early years During the work of Alcatraz, Chief Johnston supported a policy of silence, which many prisoners considered the most intolerable punishment. There were many complaints demanding its cancellation. There were rumors that several prisoners went crazy because of this rule. The silence policy was later abolished, one of the few rule changes on Alcatraz.

In the eastern wing there were solitary cells in isolation cells. They didn’t even have a full-fledged toilet: just a hole, the flush of which was controlled by a security guard. They were placed in an isolation ward without outerwear and on meager rations. The cell door had a lockable narrow slot for passing food, which was always closed, leaving the prisoner in complete darkness. Usually they were placed in isolation for 1-2 days. It was cold in the cell, and a mattress was only provided at night. This was considered the most severe punishment for serious violations and bad behavior, and it was a punishment that all prisoners feared. The new prison also needed a new chief. The Federal Bureau of Prisons selected James A. Johnston for this position. Johnston was chosen for his strong principles and humane approach to reforming criminals to reintegrate them into society. He was also known for his reforms to benefit prisoners.

Johnston didn't believe in chained convicts. He believed that prisoners should be put into work where they were respected and rewarded for their efforts. Nicknamed the "Golden Rule Warden," the press praised Johnston for the improvements he made to California highways at his road camps. The prisoners working in them were not paid any money, but their sentences were reduced for diligent work.

Alcatraz Prison Escapes

The most successful escape attempt that was possibly successful occurred in 1962. Frank Morris, along with his brothers John Anglin and Clarence Anglin, were using a homemade drill to pick out cement from the walls. Having carefully prepared, having studied the security shift schedule and other nuances, on June 11, 1962, they escaped through the service tunnel , located behind their cells. Having got out into the tunnel, they blocked the hole from the nutria with bricks, and in their sleeping places in our opinion (beds, or more precisely in relation to prisons, bunks) they left dummies of their bodies so that the escape would be revealed as later as possible. Then, through the screw system, they penetrated the roof and went down to the water through a drainage channel. There, using pre-prepared rubber raincoats, they inflated a raft of raincoats with the help of a small accordion and set off to swim. According to the official version, they never swam to shore and drowned somewhere in the bay, and their bodies were never found.

But according to the unofficial version, verified by many independent experts, this escape from Alcatraz prison was successful and the prisoners managed to escape to freedom. Even the famous show “MythBusters,” becoming interested in this story, carried out its own investigation, which proved that the escape could have been successful.

Another possibly successful escape attempt occurred on December 16, 1937 - Theodore Cole and his friend Ralph Roe, after working for some time in an iron workshop, developed a plan and, on one of their shifts, used the tools there to remove the bars from the window and headed towards the water. On that ill-fated day, they were unlucky - a strong storm broke out and, probably “according to the official version,” they drowned without reaching the shore of San Francisco. Their bodies were never found, and most people are convinced and believe that they were swept out to sea by a storm. According to the official version, they are still considered missing.

Notable Alcatraz Prison Inmates:

The most famous prisoner who served his sentence in Alcatraz prison is by far the most famous. In July 1931, a federal court sentenced Al Capone to ten years in prison for tax evasion and sent him to the Atlanta Correctional Facility to serve his sentence. In 1934, he was transferred to a special security prison on Alcatraz Island, from where he was released seven years later, terminally ill with syphilis.

Enemy number one of the state, George Machine Gun Kelly, was sentenced to life imprisonment; in Alcatraz, he was not the ruthless and cruel killer and gangster he was in freedom. For his exemplary behavior, he received the nickname Flapper George. After serving 17 years in Alcatraz prison, he was transferred to the mainland back to Leavenstone prison (Kansas) where he died of a heart attack in 1951.

A young guy whose fate was ruined by one judge, Robert Stroud, a poultry farmer, killed a man who had beaten and robbed his wife in self-defense, for which he received 12 years, although at that time in practice they gave 2-3 years for similar crimes, but the new judge decided to show himself and gave him 12 years old. Then he went on a rampage in prison, killing a guard who cruelly mocked him and was sentenced to death, and only thanks to his mother remained alive; she miraculously submitted a request to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment to US President Woodrow Wilson. He spent almost 80% of his time in solitary confinement. He got his nickname because of his passion for birds, which turned into a real one. scientific work which was appreciated by the entire scientific community. Died in Alcatraz Prison at the age of 75, without receiving a pardon.

Known gangster and train robber Roy Gardner, who stole more than $350,000 during his criminal career, primarily robbed mail trains. The reward on his head at that time was a very impressive 5 thousand US dollars, he was the most wanted man on the US Pacific coast in all history. On September 5, 1921, he escaped from the Prison on McNeil Island. Apparently out of stupidity there is no other way to call it, he began writing letters to newspapers appealing to the authorities “come and get me,” and after being captured he was transported to Alcatraz prison. He published his autobiography with the title “hellish Alcatraz”. In it he talked not only about his life but also about others. famous personalities of Alcatraz prison(Al Capone, Birdman, George Machine Gun Kelia and others). He was part of a group that planned an escape and it seems to me that they were successful, but he did not go with them.

Closing the prison

On March 21, 1963, Alcatraz prison was closed. According to the official version, this was done because the costs of maintaining prisoners on the island were too high. The prison required approximately $3-5 million worth of renovations. In addition, keeping prisoners on the island was too expensive compared to a mainland prison, since everything regularly had to be imported from the mainland.

After the closure, many ways to further use the island were discussed - for example, it was proposed to place a UN monument there. In 1969, a group of Indians from various tribes moved to the island, effectively capturing it. This was done thanks to the federal Indian Free Removal Act of 1934. While living on the island, the Indians burned large fires in the buildings and painted the walls. Due to the fires, the security rest house, a quarter of the coast guard barracks and the prison warden's house were severely damaged, and many apartments in residential buildings on the island were also significantly damaged. However, the Indians did not stay on the island for long, and in June 1971, by decision of the US government, they were expelled from Alcatraz. The writings on the walls can still be seen today. In 1971, the island was made part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The island was opened to tourists in 1973 and now receives about a million visitors each year.

Alcatraz prison, the photo of which is located below, is now considered one of the most important attractions in the vicinity of San Francisco. It was built on the island of the same name. Although the correctional facility was closed more than 50 years ago, about one million tourists visit it annually as a monument to American history.

Founding history

Until 1861, Alcatraz Island was used as the location of lighthouses for navigation in the bay. They indicated to the ships that rocky shores were approaching. In the sixties of the nineteenth century, during the Civil War, this piece of land became a place where prisoners were sent. At the beginning of the twentieth century, they were replaced by representatives of criminals. When their number exceeded 500 people, the American state authorities decided to build a large three-story detention center here. As a result of this, Alcatraz prison was built. Its history shows that the prisoners not only educated themselves and performed various chores, but even acquired their own baseball team. Be that as it may, despite the relatively comfortable conditions for prisoners compared to other institutions of this kind, in the fifties the prison had the status of a harsh colony.

Reconstruction

When the Great Depression began in the United States, the country was overwhelmed by crime along with poverty. Bribery flourished on the territory of the state, and gangster gangs essentially seized power. In 1934, the government decided to transfer the prison to the balance of the Ministry of Justice. His officials were tasked with reforming Alcatraz. The prison was supposed to be both an exemplary correctional institution and the worst place for prisoners on the planet. As a result, it was rebuilt, and the number of cells increased to 600. The colony then became last refuge for crime bosses, murderers, robbers and even maniacs.

Schedule

The day of any prisoner in this prison began at 6.30. At this time, the cells were opened, and the prisoners went to the dining room for breakfast. Half an hour later they started work. At 11.40 there was a short break for lunch. The criminals carried out all kinds of work until 16.13. After dinner, they were allowed to do personal business in their cells. At 21.30 the lights out was announced. Alcatraz is a prison that became famous for its strict control of prisoners. In particular, unscheduled searches of cells could be carried out here at any time. Throughout the day, the overseers conducted 13 roll calls.

The Notoriety of Alcatraz

Most criminals were very afraid of this correctional institution. Since the twenties of the last century, any dangerous gangster could be sure that if he was caught by law enforcement officers, he would definitely go here. Common offenders were never sent by direct court order to serve their sentences in Alcatraz. The prison was used as a place of detention only for so-called enemies of the state and especially dangerous criminals. Representatives of the criminal underworld knew that it was almost impossible to return alive from this place. This is due not only to long prison terms, but also to the unreality of escape.

There was a period in the history of the colony when prisoners were prohibited from making any sounds while in their cells. Violation of this rule led to severe punishment. For many people long hours in silence it became a real psychological torture, so they went crazy.

Prisoner status

The American prison Alcatraz was distinguished by the presence of separate rules related to the status of prisoners. Absolutely all prisoners had equal rights. An exception was not made even for the famous Al Capone, who upon arrival in this colony did not receive any privileges.

At the same time, criminals were divided into groups depending on their degree of danger. There were no common cells here, so the prisoners spent most of their time completely alone. Each of them was given the right to a roof over their head, food (usually very primitive), a uniform, a monthly haircut and a weekly shave. The opportunity to work, paint or play sports had to be earned. A punishment cell was provided for malicious regime violators, bullies and brawlers. However, there are legends that it was much more terrible for a prisoner to be in a cell that overlooked the city. Freedom was so close that many of them simply went crazy.

Prison plan

All prisoners knew that escaping from this colony was impossible. The reason for this was the well-thought-out plan of Alcatraz prison. A building was erected for the prisoners, the cells of which had heavy-duty bars. All rooms were equipped with automation, and tear gas canisters were even stored in the kitchen for use in emergency situations. There was no point in undermining or tearing down the wall, since the cameras were adjacent to one another.

Another interesting nuance was that for each warden there were on average three prisoners, which is several times less compared to other similar institutions. Around the territory of the colony was erected high wall with barbed wire on top. There is one more feature that stood out and frightened all representatives of the criminal underworld in the Alcatraz prison: the island in San Francisco Bay is located at a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the continent. Sheer cliffs along with the constantly prevailing tides and fierce winds, as well as ice water and the strong current reduced the likelihood of successful rescue in case of escape to zero. This is not surprising, because it is difficult even for a professional swimmer to cope with such natural conditions. It should also be noted that only warm water was constantly turned on in the prison showers. In this regard, the prisoner’s body got used to the heat, so he could not stand a possible swim in the cold bay.

Escape attempts

Over the thirty years of existence of this correctional institution, 14 escape attempts were recorded, which were organized by 34 criminals. Among them, seven people were shot by the guards, two drowned, five went missing, and the rest were returned to their cells. However, one of the attempts remains the subject of much controversy even now. Some historians argue that it was successful, so it can be assumed that Alcatraz prison was not that well thought out.

The escape attempt occurred in 1962. Then Frank Morris, in collusion with the Anglin brothers, built a drill from a metal spoon, a coin and a vacuum cleaner motor. With its help, they gradually picked out pieces of concrete in order to dig a passage to the previously discovered unprotected service tunnel. After they succeeded, they made dummies of their bodies from concrete and laid them in beds. Next, the attackers walled up with reverse side holes, climbed onto the roof through the ventilation and went down to the sea through a drainpipe. After this, the criminals built a raft from rubber raincoats and set sail. Their further fate is unknown. According to the official version, they all drowned, and their bodies were carried far away by the current. At the same time, as an experiment in the program “MythBusters” on the Discovery Channel shows, such an escape is quite possible. Moreover, one of the prison historians claims that a few months later the relatives of the Anglin brothers received a postcard signed by them from South America.

Alcatraz and cinema

Alcatraz prison, photos of which can be seen as an ominous set for many television series filmed in the USA, has become main theme for more than ten famous films. The vast majority of artistic paintings describe the difficult fate of a prisoner who was imprisoned within the walls of this correctional institution. It is impossible not to mention the series of the same name with a science fiction theme. The most famous film about Alcatraz was filmed in 1996. It was called “The Rock”, and won its popularity and good box office receipts primarily thanks to the film crew, headed by director Michael Bay, as well as the famous cast ( main role Sean Connery played in the film).

Speaking about the most believable works, it is necessary to mention the film “Escape from Alcatraz”, shot in 1979. It tells about the most famous escape attempt from here, which was discussed in more detail earlier.

Closing

March 21, 1963 was marked for the residents of San Francisco by the fact that Alcatraz was closed on that day. The prison got by local authorities very expensive. This was the reason for this decision. At that time, several options for the further use of the island were considered. In 1969, representatives of the Indians moved here and promised to found Cultural Center Native American population. They painted the walls and started burning fires en masse, causing serious damage to the buildings. The state government expelled the Aboriginal people from here in the summer of 1971. The former colony was then considered part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Two years later, a museum was opened here. Its visitors are allowed to enter the cells, handcuff themselves, walk around the yard or visit the library.

Current state

The prison on Alcatraz Island, located in close proximity to a large metropolis, has gained high prestige among Americans these days. This has a lot to do with legends, stories and various interesting facts associated with her. Every year on the first day of summer, a triathlon competition is held in San Francisco, which is called “Escape from Alcatraz.” Its participants will have to overcome the bay, where the water temperature rarely rises above 14 degrees, after which they will bike 29 kilometers and run 13 kilometers. The competition is considered one of the most difficult and prestigious in the world.

In addition, once a year, basketball markings are applied inside the prison and hoops are installed. This is done to conduct the final stage of streetball, in which basketball players play one on one, and the losing participant leaves the court. It should be noted that the atmosphere during these competitions is fully consistent with the spirit of a harsh correctional facility.

In the United States, in San Francisco Bay, there is a very controversial, but always arousing curiosity, Alcatraz Island. It was opened in 1775 and was first used for military purposes as a fort. It was here that the first lighthouse in the western United States was installed. However, this island soon became the most famous prison in America. Alcatraz, isolated from the rest of the world by the cold and stormy waters of the bay, as if nature itself was destined for its dark role.

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It was originally a military prison that housed prisoners, deserters and those who had committed crimes. varying degrees gravity. At that time, the bulk of prisoners were young people aged 20-28 years. The conditions of detention were not particularly strict. By the end of the 1920s, it even had its own baseball field. But very harsh penalties were applied to those who violated discipline.

In 1934, during the reconstruction of the building, electricity was installed in the cells, tunnels were walled up, and tear gas containers were placed in crowded areas. From that moment on, the prison became federal. Only the most dangerous criminals were directly sent to Alcatraz, while the rest were transferred from other prisons after they committed violations, failed escape attempts, or refused to obey.

Despite many measures of influence, prisoners considered the so-called policy of silence to be one of the most painful punishments. Its essence was the prohibition of talking and making any sounds for a very long time. They were also afraid of being placed in an isolation cell - a solitary cell without a full toilet, which was dark and cold.

Prison Breaks

However, even the obvious futility of attempts to escape did not stop the prisoners. Many people tried to escape from Alcatraz to freedom. Some of them were forced to turn back to escape the cold waters, others died from hypothermia. Several people went missing. Maybe they were the lucky ones who were destined to accomplish the impossible?

The most famous of the prisoners who were never found are the Anglin brothers and Frank Morris. They made the most ingenious escape in the history of the prison. They thought through the plan down to the smallest detail, which ensured the success of the enterprise. In 1979, the film “Escape from Alcatraz” was made about this.

Notable prisoners

The prison also gained wide popularity thanks to its famous prisoners. The most recognizable, perhaps, is Al Capone, an American gangster who began serving his sentence in Alcatraz in 1934. The greatest criminal spent 7 years within these walls. He came out already mortally ill and a man who had lost his criminal authority.

In 1963, due to the economic unprofitability of maintaining the prison, which required very large financial costs, it was closed. By that time, there were only 27 slaves in it. Almost never the cameras (and there are less than 600 of them) were fully equipped. Over 29 years, only about 1,600 men served their sentences there. There were no women held in this prison.

How to get to the island

The island has been operating as a tourist site since 1973 and is part of a recreation area called the Golden Gate. It arouses genuine interest among people all over the world with its unusual history. The prison was converted into a museum, where traces of the prisoners' stay remain to this day.

You can get to the island by ferry from San Francisco, which departs from Pier 33. Since there are many people who want to visit Alcatraz, you need to take care of tickets in advance. The tour includes a visit to the interior of the prison - cells, isolation ward, room for meeting visitors, dining room, shower room. You can also look at the stands where real photographs of prisoners and the officers guarding them are posted, and take a walk along the main corridor of the building, called Broadway. From the window you can see the area reserved for prisoners' walks.

Legends and ghosts

Americans call this place “Devil's Island” because of the many legends associated with it. Museum workers can tell hundreds incredible stories about various paranormal phenomena that allegedly occur within these walls. According to unconfirmed reports, on the shore you can find the ghost of a mustachioed officer, and in the prison building - Al Capone playing the banjo.

The very position of the island already causes some excitement and trepidation - a piece of land cut off from the mainland is washed on all sides stormy streams water. It is located 2.5 km from the nearest shore. But the area of Alcatraz is very small - about 9 hectares. Because of this isolation, many tourists have anxious thoughts. And the myths and superstitions associated with this place can even cause fear.

According to local stories, the camera number 14D is the most popular among ghosts. At one time, she was part of the correctional corps, where riot instigators were thrown for correction. This is a gloomy, dark and damp room, which will tickle the nerves of even the most inveterate cynics.

Night excursions

Currently, the island has transformed from a dull and inhospitable area into an excellent area for walking thanks to the masters of landscape design. Positive, smiling people work here, and the corridors of the prison are crowded with noisy tourists. All this does not allow us to forget that now it is just a museum. However, in order to maintain the image of a mystical place, night excursions are organized for particularly intrepid visitors.

Despite many dark legends and a dubious reputation, Alcatraz is visited annually by about a million people from all over the world. This place has a special energy that evokes its own emotions in everyone. Many people want to see this famous prison, feel its atmosphere, and visit the premises where gangsters and other dangerous criminals roamed just recently. And the most impressionable may even be able to meet one of the mysterious ghosts.

Just 2.5 km from San Francisco there is a famous landmark of America - the famous Alcatraz prison, known to everyone from many films, TV series and games. Prison Rock, as it is sometimes called, is located on a small rocky island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. The island where Alcatraz is located belongs to the state of California and belongs to the Golden Gate National Park. Throughout its history, the island's territory was used as a fort, prison, and Lately- museum. You can get to the museum island using a special ferry from San Francisco. About a million tourists visit Alcatraz Island every year.

The history of Alcatraz prison dates back to the advent of the Gold Rush in California in 1848. In just three years, San Francisco's population increased from 500 to 35,000 people. Thousands of ships arrived in the bay. There was a need for a lighthouse that would help ships navigate in heavy fog. In 1853, a lighthouse was built on Alcatraz Island, the first in the entire western United States. But after 56 years it was dismantled. A new lighthouse was built in its place in 1909. After 54 years, the lighthouse was modernized, making it capable of automatic operation without requiring 24-hour maintenance.

Alcatraz in 1895

Fort

The harbor area of the Californian coast was not sufficiently protected from external invasion. Therefore, there was a need to protect the bay. In 1850, US President Millard Fillmore ordered the construction of a defensive fort on Alcatraz Island. In December 1859, construction of the fortress was completed. On the territory of which there were about 110 guns. At the height of the Civil War (1861-1865), the military fort was considered the largest on the west side of the Mississippi River.

Cannons on Alcatraz Island with 15 inch balls, 1868

Military prison

Beginning in 1861, the fortress on the island was also used as a military prison. This was facilitated by the favorable location of the mainland in the bay (more than 2 km from civilization), which was washed by icy water and had strong sea currents. Which created a powerful isolation from the outside world. Therefore, it was an ideal place to keep prisoners of war. The number of prisoners increased greatly during the Spanish-American War in 1898. From 25 to 450 people. The American prison Alcatraz became known for its severity and was considered the first long-term military prison. Disciplinary measures in prison could take the form of hard work, constant wearing of a heavy chain, or transfer to a special solitary confinement cell, which was considered the most severe punishment. The isolation room was practically without light, except for the cracks through which food was supplied, essentially it was bread and water. The temperature in the room was quite cold, but a blanket was only provided at night. All types of contact were prohibited. Therefore, staying in such a room seemed eternal, and some could not stand it and went crazy.

Prisoners of war at Alcatraz, 1902

The Alcatraz prison began to receive more and more civilian prisoners temporarily transferred from other places. Especially after the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, when thousands of houses were destroyed and heavy looting began in the city.

Over time, discipline in the military prison decreased. For example, some prisoners were allowed to perform various chores for families living on the island. A baseball field was even built in the late 1920s. Various boxing competitions were held, which even attracted civilians from San Francisco. But in the end, the military authorities decided to completely abandon the prison due to the high costs of its maintenance. Therefore, in 1934 the prison was officially closed.

Federal maximum security prison

In the late 20s and early 30s, the United States experienced the Great Depression, accompanied by riots and organized crime. There was a war over the sphere of influence between various mafia families and gangs. And, as a rule, ordinary citizens and police officers became victims. Officials received bribes, turning a blind eye to lawlessness, and power in the cities essentially belonged to gangsters.

For this reason, the US authorities reopened Alcatraz prison in 1934, but at the same time completely rebuilt the buildings on the island. So the wooden bars and bars were replaced with steel ones. Electricity was installed in each cell. All extra tunnels were walled up. Weapons rooms for the guards were built in the prison building. The most popular place, namely the prison canteen, was equipped with special tanks with tear gas. After all, it was in this room that fights and various showdowns often broke out. Almost all doors had electric sensors. The best security specialists (Robert Burge and others) were involved in the project. And James A. Johnston, known as the “Chief of the Golden Rule,” was also appointed. He was distinguished by his strict principles and reformist approach to prisoners. Thus, Alcatraz prison became bad dream for the entire criminal world and became the reason for various rumors and myths.

Prison cells in Alcatraz

Alcatraz prisoners and escape attempts

The most violent prisoners from other prisons were transferred to Alcatraz. It was impossible to get there directly. Only for some gangsters were exceptions made, among which were: Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.

Alcatraz prisoners lived in separate cells. Had minimal privileges to receive medical care, water, food, clothing. They were forbidden to have any personal belongings or read newspapers. The Alcatraz prisoner had to earn the opportunity to communicate with visitors, visit the library and write letters. Moreover, all privileges were revoked at the slightest violation of the rules of conduct in prison.

A typical day started early in the morning at 6:30. 25 minutes were given to clean the cell, then roll call followed. And exactly at 6:55 everyone headed to the dining room. After a 20-minute breakfast, prison work began. This daily rhythm in prison did not change for several years.

Escape attempts from Alcatraz prison

As stated earlier, escaping from Alcatraz prison was practically impossible. But nevertheless, in history there were a couple of attempts to escape from the strictest American prison at that time. There is no official confirmation of a successful escape from prison. But nevertheless, it was not possible to find five prisoners who went missing. A total of 34 prisoners tried to escape from the island. Of these, two drowned, seven were shot, five went missing, the rest were intercepted and returned. The most famous escape attempts were made in 1946 (Battle of Alcatraz) and 1962 (Escape of Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers).

Closing of Alcatraz prison

Alcatraz prison was closed on March 21, 1963. The reason was that the costs of maintaining the prison were too high. It was necessary to import food, clothing, etc. from the mainland. Periodically make repairs, which were estimated at 3-5 million dollars. That's why Alcatraz was closed.

Tour of Alcatraz video

While the Vietnam War was going on and the hippie movement was booming, a couple of Indian tribes moved to live on the island of Alcatraz. According to the law on free movement, they were allowed to do this, but by a court decision in 1971 they were forced to leave Alcatraz. At the same time, leaving behind a lot of destruction and garbage. Many buildings were damaged due to frequent fires, and most of the walls were painted with inscriptions that remain to this day.

In 1971, Alcatraz was annexed to Golden Gate Park, making it a museum complex. And in 1973, the first tourists visited it.

For tourists

On the island itself, park rangers conduct detailed tours of the cell of Al Capone and other prisoners who, due to the severity of the crime, could not be held in regular prisons. (Be sure to dress warmly, as the air above the bay is cold even in summer). Here you can listen to tape-recorded memories of the guards and the prisoners themselves. Night tours are conducted by a park ranger. Please purchase your tickets at least two weeks in advance. Ferries depart from Pier 33 (Pier 33) every half hour from 9.00 to 15.55, at 18.10 and 18.45.

Alcatraz; cruises to Alcatraz tel.: 415-981-7625 and 415-561-49-26; www.alcatrazcruises.com, www.nps.gov/alcatraz; adult/child day $26/16, night $33/19.50; telephone information service 8.00-19.00.

Alcatraz prison

History of Alcatraz

Central passage in Alcatraz

In 1775, Spanish explorer Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala mapped a small island, which he named Isla de Las Alcatraces - Island of the Pelicans, due to the huge population of these birds that nested here. He could not even imagine that this island would go down in history as the worst prison in the United States. You may be familiar with Alcatraz thanks to the films “Escape from Alcatraz” with Clint Eastwood and “The Rock” with Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage.

Years passed. The year 1848 arrived. Gold was discovered near the town of San Francisco. The news of this discovery quickly spread throughout the country, and thousands of people poured into California. In a few years, the population of San Francisco increased from 300 people to 300 thousand. Prospectors arrived both by land and sea.

Alcatraz Island in 1895

Suddenly the city found itself in the spotlight of the whole world. The young state of California needed protection from the sea, and the choice fell on Alcatraz Island. This piece of land turned out to be an ideal location - just one mile from the city, from here all the ships trying to dock in San Francisco harbor were perfectly visible. No sooner said than done. In 1854, the first defensive structures were built and 11 guns were installed. (later there will be more than a hundred of them).

Together with Fort Point and Lime Point, Alcatraz formed a kind of “defensive” triangle, protecting the bay from attacks. By the end of the decade, the first military prisoner appeared on the island. Over time, Alcatraz's defensive function decreased (by the way, the island never had to use its weapons in action), but it acted as a prison for more than 100 years. In 1909, the army demolished the fortress, leaving the basement level to be used as the foundation for a new prison. From 1909 to 1911, prisoners built the prison building, which belonged to the Pacific Division of the US Army Disciplinary Barracks. It was this building that later became known as the Rock. The army used the island for more than 80 years: from 1850 to 1933. In 1909, after 56 years of use, the first Alcatraz lighthouse was dismantled during the construction of the prison. The second lighthouse was installed next to the prison building on December 1, 1909. And in 1963, the lighthouse was modified and made automatic and autonomous, and it no longer required round-the-clock maintenance.

Camera

The location in the middle of a bay with icy water and strong sea currents ensured the island's natural isolation. Thanks to this, Alcatraz was soon considered by the US Army as an ideal place to hold prisoners of war. In 1861, the first Civil War prisoners from various states began arriving on the island, and in 1898, as a result of the Spanish-American War, the number of prisoners of war increased from 26 to more than 450. In 1906, after the San Francisco earthquake destroyed much of the city, hundreds of civilian prisoners were moved to the island for safety reasons. A large prison building was built in 1912, and by 1920 the three-story structure was almost completely filled with prisoners.

Boiler house and water tower

Alcatraz was the Army's first long-term prison and began to gain a reputation for being harsh on offenders, who faced harsh disciplinary measures. The punishment could be assignment to hard work, placement in solitary confinement with a limited ration of bread and water, and the list was not limited to this.

The average age of imprisoned military personnel was 24 years, and most were serving short sentences for desertion or less serious offenses. There were also those who served long sentences for disobedience to commanders, physical violence, theft or murder.

An interesting element of the military order was the prohibition of being in the cells during the day, except in special cases of forced confinement. High-ranking military prisoners could move freely throughout the prison, with the exception of the guard rooms located on a higher level.

Tourists in Alcatraz

Despite all efforts, most of the fugitives were unable to reach the shore and had to return back to be rescued from the icy water. Those who did not return died from hypothermia.

View of Alcatraz from a helicopter

During the Great Depression (late 1920s to mid-1930s), crime rates increased greatly and the era of organized crime began. Large mafia families and individual gangs waged a war for spheres of influence, the victims of which were often civilians and law enforcement officers. Gangsters controlled power in the cities, many officials received bribes and turned a blind eye to the crimes that were happening. In response to the crimes of the gangsters, the government decided to reopen Alcatraz, but as a federal prison. Alcatraz satisfied the basic requirements: to place dangerous criminals far from society and to frighten the remaining criminals who were still at large. Federal Prisons Commissioner Sanford Bates and Attorney General Homer Cummings have initiated a prison renovation project. For this purpose, Robert Burge, at that time one of the best experts in the field of security, was invited. He was supposed to redesign the prison. During the reconstruction, only the foundation was left untouched, and the building itself was completely rebuilt.

Warden uniform

In April 1934, the military prison received a new face and a new direction. Before the reconstruction, the bars and bars were wooden - they were replaced with steel ones. Electricity was installed in each cell, and all service tunnels were walled up to prevent prisoners from entering them for shelter and further escape. Along the perimeter of the prison building, above the cells, special weapon galleries were placed, which allowed the guards to stand watch while protected by steel bars. The prison canteen, as the most vulnerable place for fights and brawls, was equipped with tear gas containers, which were located in the ceiling and controlled remotely. Security towers were placed around the perimeter of the island in the most strategic places. The doors were equipped with electrical sensors. The prison block contained a total of 600 cells and was divided into blocks B, C and D, whereas before reconstruction the prison population never exceeded 300 prisoners. The introduction of new security measures, along with the cold waters of San Francisco Bay, created a reliable barrier for even the most incorrigible criminals.

The new prison also needed a new chief. The Federal Bureau of Prisons selected James A. Johnston for this position. Johnston was chosen for his strong principles and humane approach to reforming criminals to reintegrate them into society. He was also known for his reforms to benefit prisoners. Johnston did not believe in chained convicts. He believed that prisoners should be put into work where they were respected and rewarded for their efforts. Nicknamed the "Golden Rule Warden," the press praised Johnston for the improvements he made to California highways at his road camps. The prisoners working in them were not paid any money, but their sentences were reduced for diligent work. Before Alcatraz, Johnston was director of San Quentin Prison, where he introduced several successful educational programs that benefited the majority of prisoners. At the same time, Johnston was a supporter of strict discipline. His rules were the strictest in the correctional system, and his punishments the most severe. Johnston had been present at San Quentin hangings more than once and knew how to deal with the most incorrigible criminals.

The rules at Alcatraz have changed dramatically. Now each prisoner had only his own cell and minimal privileges to receive food, water, clothing, medical and dental care. Prisoners at Alcatraz were prohibited from having any personal belongings. To obtain privileges to communicate with visitors, visit the prison library and write, the prisoner had to earn it through hard work and impeccable behavior. At the same time, prisoners with bad behavior were not allowed to work in prison. For the slightest offense, all privileges were revoked. All media were prohibited in Alcatraz, including reading newspapers. All letters, as in any other prison, were corrected by a prison official. Federal prison governors had the right to transfer any delinquent prisoner to Alcatraz.

The courts did not sentence people to imprisonment in Alcatraz; especially “distinguished” prisoners from other prisons were usually transferred there. It was impossible to voluntarily choose Alcatraz to serve a prison sentence. Although exceptions were made for some gangsters.

Al Capone was one of the first such prisoners at Alcatraz prison. The police hunted for him for a very long time, and he ended up behind bars as a result of banal tax evasion! At first, the offender was in Atlanta, but soon his “comrades in arms” settled around the prison, and Al Capone calmly led his group directly from prison, where he acquired an entire army of prisoner servants, bribed the prison authorities, and had visitors constantly coming to him. “I sat and didn’t bother” until I ended up in Alcatraz, from where I came out a weak and terminally ill old man.

Another famous Alcatraz prisoner was Robert Stroud, nicknamed the "bird catcher." In fact, Stroud never raised birds in Alcatraz, and indeed, he spent most of his time not in this prison at all. He also wasn't the sweet uncle Burt Lancaster portrayed him in Birdman Of Alcatraz (1962). In 1909, Stroud was imprisoned for robbery. But while he was serving his sentence in a Washington prison, he attacked a fellow inmate. He was transferred to a Kansas prison. But in 1916, he killed a guard there, for which Stroud was sentenced to death. True, then then-President Wilson, at the request of Stroud’s mother, replaced the execution with a life sentence. In 1942 he was transferred to Alcatraz. There he began studying birds, which he had been interested in since childhood, and even wrote two books about canaries and common diseases among them. Seeing such keen scientific interest, the prison administration allowed Stroud to study birds in the wild. But Stroud did not betray himself, and items prohibited in prison were often found in bird cages. He spent only 17 years in Alcatraz - 6 years in "block D" and 11 years in the prison hospital. In 1959 he was sent to medical Center for federal criminals in Springfield, Missouri, where he died in 1963.

Another Alcatraz legend is Machine Gun George Kelly. He got his nickname because he always used a machine gun when robbing banks. He was responsible for bootlegging, murder, bank robberies and even the kidnapping of an Oklahoma oil tycoon. Machine Gun Kelly received a life sentence and spent 17 years in Alcatraz, after which, again for health reasons, he was transferred to another prison, where he soon died.

Despite popular belief, Alcatraz did not only house gangsters and especially dangerous criminals. Alcatraz was filled from other prisons with fugitives and rebels or those who systematically violated the regime of detention. Of course, there were gangsters, but most of them were sentenced to death. Prison life began with rising at 6:30, prisoners were given 25 minutes to clean their cells, after which each prisoner had to go to the cell bars for roll call. If everyone was in place at 6:55, the individual rows of cells opened one by one and the prisoners moved into the prison cafeteria. They were given 20 minutes to eat, then they were lined up to distribute prison work. The monotonous cycle of prison routine was unforgiving and remained unchanged for many years. The main corridor of the prison building was called "Broadway" by prisoners, and the cells on the second tier along this passage were the most coveted in the prison. Other cells were located downstairs, were cold, and were frequently passed by staff and prisoners. During the early years of Alcatraz, Warden Johnston maintained a policy of silence, which many prisoners considered the most intolerable punishment. There were many complaints demanding its cancellation. There were rumors that several prisoners went crazy because of this rule. The silence policy was later abolished, one of the few rule changes on Alcatraz. In the eastern wing there were solitary cells in isolation cells. They didn’t even have a full-fledged toilet: just a hole, the flush of which was controlled by a security guard. They were placed in the isolation ward without outer clothing and on meager rations. The cell door had a lockable narrow slot for passing food, which was always closed, leaving the prisoner in complete darkness. Usually they were placed in isolation for 1-2 days. It was cold in the cell, and a mattress was only provided at night. This was considered the most severe punishment for serious violations and bad behavior, and it was a punishment that all prisoners feared.

On March 21, 1962, Alcatraz prison was closed. It is officially believed that this decision was made due to the growing cost of keeping criminals on the island. For the further use of the prison, restoration work totaling $3-5 million was required. However, these figures did not include the daily maintenance of prisoners - and Alcatraz prisoners cost the budget three times more than any other federal prison. For example, in 1959, the daily cost of a Rock prisoner was $10.10, compared to $3 in the Atlanta prison. The high cost was explained by the fact that literally everything - food, fuel - had to be delivered from the mainland. There wasn't even one on the island drinking water, and about a million gallons of water had to be shipped to Alcatraz every week. Since the prison's closure, many ideas have been discussed for the future use of the island. For example, it was proposed to build a UN monument here as the West Coast's answer to the Statue of Liberty. Businessmen tried to take over the island for hotels and shopping centers, and the Indians - under the cultural center of the indigenous population of America. In 1969, a group of Indians actually took over the island, gaining enormous public support among a wide range of American society - from opponents of the Vietnam War to hippies and Hell Angels bikers. However, the Indians could not maintain order on the entire island, and in June 1971, by government decision, they were expelled from Alcatraz. In 1972, Congress approved the creation of Golden Gate National Park, and Alcatraz became one of the park's properties. In 1973, the Rock was opened to the public and has become one of the most attractive places in the National Park - about a million tourists visit Alcatraz every year.

Escape from Alcatraz

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Alcatraz is the stories about attempts to escape from “American Siberia,” as this prison was also called. They say that only 36 prisoners tried to escape, but it seems that not a single escape was successful. The fact is that in San Francisco Bay there is icy water and a very strong current, so, although the city is “a stone’s throw away”, the chances of swimming to the shore are practically zero, and the approach of boats to the island was strictly prohibited - shooting would immediately open up.

Alcatraz Island

And yet, there was a rumor among the prisoners that the island was full of man-eating sharks that would immediately tear to pieces anyone who found themselves in the water. They often talked about a shark named Bruce, which the guards supposedly specially fed so that it would always be “on duty.”

It is reliably known that only one prisoner named John Scott managed to swim to the shore. This happened in 1962. At the end of the swim, the fugitive was so exhausted and exhausted that he collapsed on the shore, where two boys found him. The children decided that the man had tried to commit suicide by jumping from the nearby Golden Gate Bridge and called the police for help, who immediately identified the fugitive and brought him back to Alcatraz.

The most famous and prepared was the escape of the two Anglin brothers and their accomplice Morris, which served as the basis for the plot of the film Escape from Alcatraz. Using spoons secretly taken from the dining room, they made a passage in the wall and escaped through the ventilation shafts. The most remarkable thing is that they made their “heads” out of cement, glue, paint and hair stolen from a hairdresser and placed them on pillows so that the guards only noticed their absence in the morning during roll call. It is still unknown how this escape ended - in the 38 years since then, the fugitives have not been announced anywhere, but there is also no reliable evidence of their death. And the “heads” can be seen in Alcatraz in the cells of the fugitives - they are actually made very skillfully.

A total of 29 years (1934-1963) While Alcatraz was in use as a federal prison, it is officially believed that there were no successful attempts to escape from the Rock, but five Alcatraz prisoners are still listed as "absent, presumed drowned."