The most terrible, mysterious and most folklore prison in the world, even 40 years after the last prisoner left its territory, continues to attract attention and crowds of tourists. The Alcatraz Correctional Facility, located on the island of the same name in San Francisco Bay, is as much a part of American history as the Boston Tea Party and the Vietnam War. The harsh and mysterious prison is a cultural phenomenon that is reflected in literature, cinema, music and even sports.

On the twentieth of September, Alcatraz again opens its doors to prisoners. This time, no formidable gangsters, bloodthirsty maniacs and inveterate hooligans, only political prisoners persecuted for their ideas and the principles they defend. Nelson Mandela, Edward Snowden and other "prisoners of conscience" will find themselves on a gloomy island. But only as part of the cultural project of the disgraced Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.

The legendary, majestic, gloomy building on a lonely island is adjacent to the “disco city” and is its complete antipode. The FURFUR editors tried to find out how Alcatraz is still the No. 1 prison and why it has such a rich cultural trail.

Alcatraz got its Spanish name from the mistake of a cartographer who accidentally named the place of the famous prison after another island. Until 1861, beacons towered on Alcatraz, signaling to ships that they were approaching rocky shores, but in the sixties of the XIX century they decided to keep prisoners of war from the fields here. civil war. In the new century, when prisoners were replaced by prisoners, there were already more than half a thousand representatives of criminals on the island. It was necessary to build a large prison, and the state authorities erected a three-story building. The institution for thieves and murderers immediately acquired the status of a prison with harsh conditions, although compared to the 1940-1950s, this place can be considered quite comfortable for prisoners. It got to the point that in the 1920s, prisoners did various housework, self-taught, and even had their own baseball team.

During the Great Depression, along with American poverty, crime took over. Bribery flourished, gangsters effectively took over the country, and the economy collapsed. In 1934, Alcatraz was closed as a regular prison and transferred to the balance of the Ministry of Justice, whose officials began to reform the prison institution. "The Rock", as Alcatraz was already called at that time, they decided to make it an exemplary institution and at the same time the most terrible place in the whole wide world. Alcatraz was rebuilt, the number of cells was increased to 600, and the premises were equipped with the latest technology. It was from that time that the prison became a place where they found their last resort crime bosses, daring raiders, brutal killers and lost psychopaths.

In 1962, the unthinkable happened in the prison: three prisoners left their cells and sailed off the island in an unknown direction. That daring escape became the most famous in the history of Alcatraz. And, as it turned out, the last. In 1963, the history of the most famous correctional institution came to an end.

In 1962, the unthinkable happened in the prison: three prisoners left their cells and sailed off the island.
in an unknown direction.

Why were criminals afraid of Alcatraz?

Long before the high-profile prison break, a lot happened amazing stories and events that make her reputation even more sinister and nightmarish. Since the 1920s, every elusive and dangerous gangster has known that if he is taken by the police or the FBI, then he will have a direct path to Alcatraz. Ordinary criminals were not sent to Alcatraz by direct decision of the court; either the most cruel "enemies of the state" or unsuccessfully escaped prisoners got there. The cream of the criminal world knew that there was little chance of getting out of prison alive: it was impossible to escape from there, and the prison terms of local villains did not give hope of getting out on their own feet.

Legends and myths constantly circled over the prison, many of which turned out to be an ominous truth. Everyone understood that it was almost impossible to escape from prison: there was a modern prison on the island, the cells had strong bars, there was automation everywhere, tear gas cylinders were installed in the kitchen. The latter, by the way, have never been used. Each cell was adjacent to the other, so there was no point in digging or destroying the wall. According to statistics, there were three prisoners for each guard, while in a regular prison there were as many as 12. The prison was surrounded by a strong and high wall, barbed wire was stretched everywhere and there were patrols. But even if a miracle happened (as in June 1962) and the prisoners found themselves behind the walls of the prison, then nature itself was waiting for them. sheer cliffs, violent winds, constant tide, strong currents and icy water cut off their escape routes. It was 1.5 miles to the continent, and to swim such a distance, coupled with the above natural conditions very difficult even for a professional swimmer. The prison authorities even calculated this: so that the prisoner’s body could not endure a possible swim in icy water, only hot water was turned on in the showers of Alcatraz so that the criminals got used to the heat.

Regarding the status of the prisoner and his rights in Alcatraz, there were also special rules. All prisoners were equal (on arrival at Alcatraz, the famous Al Capone was quickly explained that there were no privileges here), but they were divided according to the degree of danger. Depersonalization almost did not allow leaders and authorities to stand out, as it always was and is in ordinary prisons. There were no common cells: the prisoner was almost always one on one with himself. Everyone had the right to a roof over their heads, a uniform, food, a haircut once a month and a shave once a week. Prisoners could "earn" the right to work, and if they were lucky, to play sports, draw or even knit. All this was appreciated in the "Rock", because in the main time the prisoners were sitting alone in their cells. The food was the most ordinary, but almost always there was pasta on the menu, which drove many gourmets crazy.

The doors to the punishment cell were always open for special bullies, fighters and malicious opponents of the regime. There are still legends about block D - the darkest and most gloomy place in the entire prison. There was a punishment cell in which the prisoner, who spent most of his time alone with himself, was presented to himself for days on end. They say that there was one popular entertainment in the punishment cell: you toss a coin, then make several turns around its axis and start looking for it on the floor. And so an infinite number of times, until calluses appear on the palms from a long probing of the floor. At one time in Alcatraz it was forbidden to make any sounds while you were sitting in your cell. Long hours in absolute silence, the violation of which was punishable, turned into psychological torture, many went crazy.

The daily routine of a typical prisoner looked like this: At 6:30 the cameras opened and the crowd went to the dining room for breakfast. From seven, work began, which was interrupted by lunch at 11:40, and then continued until 16:13. After dinner, the prisoners went to their cells, where they went about their business until 21:30. Alcatraz was famous for its inspections and control, unscheduled searches were constantly carried out in the cells. During the day, the overseers arranged 13 roll calls, taking a break only for the night.

At one time in Alcatraz it was forbidden to make any sounds while you were sitting in your cell. Long hours in absolute silence, the violation of which was punishable, turned into psychological torture, many went crazy.

Alcatraz in popular culture

During its existence, the prison has won a gloomy authority and a quivering craving for tourists - including its many stories and legends. The most interesting are connected with the regime in the correctional institution. It is not surprising that the prison, located at the side of an energetic and lively metropolis, attracted so much attention. They say that the worst thing for a prisoner was not to be in block D, but in a cell from which the city was visible. The sight of freedom being so near and yet so far away was maddening.

As in many prisons, the convicts in Alcatraz found a way to exchange a few words. This was especially true when they could be sent to a punishment cell for extra talk. There was a so-called toilet connection: a large pipe under the cells connecting all the latrines. As long as the toilet was not occupied and the sewage was not rushing through the pipe, it was possible to chat with a friend from any cell in the prison.

The outside world influenced Alcatraz, although time and events here went on as usual. For example, prison corridors were named after famous American streets. Nothing surprising will happen if a visitor to Alcatraz passes through Times Square and ends up on Broadway. On Broadway - the long corridor in the prison - there were the most best cameras. Overseers rarely walked here and it was relatively light.

Alcatraz at the movies

About a dozen well-known films were filmed about the mysterious prison, and Alcatraz appeared as an ominous scenery in another hundred films and TV shows. Basically, the plot of the films was associated with the difficult fate of a prisoner who found himself within the walls of an island correctional facility. Sometimes in Alcatraz, a scenario of a fantastic action movie was unfolding, the plot of which was associated with mysticism and riddles. Good examples are the film "Massacre on the Rock" (1988), according to the plot of which the universal evil lives on the territory of the prison. Mutants are treated in Alcatraz in the fantastic blockbuster X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), but here the prison becomes the site of a decisive battle. Also, the theme of a terrible curse, mysticism and the idea of the special purpose of Alcatraz can be traced in the films The Curse of Alcatraz Prison (2007), The Alcatraz Experiment (1950), The Book of Eli (2009).

About Alcatraz, a science fiction series of the same name was shot. In the center of the plot is the mysterious disappearance of criminals and guards, which happened half a century ago. A detective and an Alcatraz expert are trying to find the truth within the walls of The Rock.

Perhaps the most popular film (largely due to famous actors and crew) about the prison was made in 1996. The film "The Rock" by Michael Bay has collected a good box office in the world, not only thanks to the special effects that the director loves so much. The great and terrible Sir Sean Connery plays the role of the last prisoner who is forced to help an inexperienced FBI chemist, played by Nicolas Cage, neutralize the villains who have settled on the island and threaten to arrange retribution by hitting San Francisco. The plot of the film is not based on real events, but the theme of the sinister and most closed prison is shown in full. In the action movie, prison locations are shown in detail, and the main character himself arranges an escape from Alcatraz.

If we recall the most reliable film associated with The Rock, then we cannot fail to mention Escape from Alcatraz (1979). This is perhaps the most atmospheric and certainly the most plausible film story about Alcatraz. The film tells of the most famous case of the jailbreak by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers on June 11, 1962. "Escape from Alcatraz" shows the authentic life of the prison, the situation that prevailed within the walls of the "Rock", the locations and the prison hopelessness that put pressure on each prisoner are well shown. The main characters flee from this hopelessness, the role of the protagonist is played by the legendary Clint Eastwood.

The story of the escape is generally considered unique, and the incident itself happened thanks to a well-planned plan and great luck, which was on the side of the criminals. Morris and his friends hollowed out a passage leading to the ventilation shaft of the premises, from where they got to the roof of the building. Leaving masterfully made papier-mâché and hair dolls in their place, the attackers got a head start of nine to ten hours and, presumably, sailed away towards San Francisco. Sophistication, planning, high accuracy, luck and audacity helped the criminals become the first prisoners to escape from the Rock. Most likely, according to experts, Morris and company died in the bay, but so far not a single body has been found, however, as well as any mention of live criminals at large. Clint Eastwood faithfully recreates every step Morris makes in Escape from Alcatraz, languishing in a cramped cell.

Alcatraz on TV

Hundreds of experts on dozens of TV shows and analytical programs have discussed the mysterious prison thousands of times. In The Magic of David Copperfield, a famous illusionist escapes from Alcatraz; the documentary series True Story looks at Morris's escape; The Lonely Island: The Hidden Alcatraz is about the little-known facts about the prison.

In the next series of the popular program "MythBusters", the myth about the impossibility of escaping from prison was dispelled. The transfer team independently went through almost all the stages of preparation for the escape and even assembled the same raft on which Morris and his friends disappeared from Alcatraz.

Alcatraz and music

Enough songs have also been written about the most famous prison, so that Alcatraz's influence on music can be noted. One of the most famous performers who sang of the prison was Malvina Reynolds. The composition "Alcatraz" ("Pelican Island") appeared in 1969 as a single, after which it was re-released in the singer's posthumous album. June Carter Cash, wife of the famous Johnny Cash, wrote a song about "The Rock", also calling it "Alcatraz". American rockers Redbone named one of the songs after the prison, including it on their 1970 album.

In general, the name of the prison and numerous variations are mentioned in many songs by country artists, rock musicians, electronic compositions and other genres. Often the name "Alcatraz" is mentioned in the sense of something unattainable, as was the case with the song "She's My Alcatraz" by punk rockers The Mr. T experience.

Alcatraz in the gaming industry

It is naive to believe that the legendary prison was not used as a location by game developers. So it is, the landscape of Alcatraz, the premises of the "Rock" have repeatedly appeared in shooters and adventure action games.

Alcatraz: Prison Escape, released in 2001, was a combination of arcade, first-person shooter and good horror. The protagonist was unfairly convicted and intends to repeat the feat of Morris and leave their prisons with their own feet.

In the famous Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3, the plot of Bay's action movie "The Rock" is partly repeated. There are hostages held by terrorists. In the equally popular shooter Call of Duty: Black Ops II, in a special zombie mode, the main character must kill the dead who have captured the prison. Know exactly about the game where legendary prison was supposed to appear, but the developers ruthlessly cut out the location. It's about Fallout 2.

In dozens of other gaming masterpieces, there are references to the "Rock", direct or indirect. For example, in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 there is a corresponding game level, one location from World of Warcraft inherited the name of the prison.

Oh yes, in the popular post-apocalyptic shooter Crysis 2, the protagonist, dressed in an exoskeleton, had the call sign "Alcatraz".

Alcatraz and sports

On the first day of summer, dozens of people again and again try to repeat the act of Frank Morris. "Escape from Alcatraz" is the name of the annual triathlon held in San Francisco. The competition has a reputation for being extremely challenging and one of the most prestigious races on the planet. Trained athletes swim 2.4 kilometers (that's how much from the sinister island to the mainland), then overcome 29 kilometers on bicycles through mountainous terrain, and after that they run 13 kilometers. It is on Alcatraz that the first point in the race is located.

The water temperature in the bay rarely rises to 14 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately, the ordeal has a tragic event in its history. The 46-year-old lawyer from Austin did not swim even five minutes after the start, when he died of a heart attack.

Once a year, basketball hoops and markings are put up in Alcatraz's cell blocks. Red Bull King of the Rock is a one-on-one streetball competition, the final stage of which takes place in the dungeons of Alcatraz. Basketball players fight face to face, one on one, and the loser leaves the court. The atmosphere at the competitions corresponds to the spirit of the prison.

Alcatraz, also known as The Rock, is an island in San Francisco Bay.

The territory of the island was used as a protective fort, later as a military prison, and then as a super-secure prison for especially dangerous criminals and those who attempted to escape from previous places of detention.

Due to the high maintenance costs associated with the location, the Department of Defense decided to close this famous prison in 1934, and she was transferred to the maintenance of the Ministry of Justice.

Currently, the prison has been disbanded, the island has been turned into a museum, where the ferry goes from San Francisco from Pier 33.

Getting tickets for Alcatraz, as it turned out, is not so easy, it’s better to book a couple of days in advance, we bought tickets from cruise company, which officially organizes tours to the island. Although we booked in advance, there were almost no places left.

In the morning we took a passing transport to Pier 33. San Francisco still surprises me with its streets.

OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE was visible from the pier

We stood in line and the ferry set off towards the island

Alcatraz can be seen from afar

To the left of the Golden Gate bridge

The island is not so far, only 1.5 miles, but the wind is very strong.

We approach the pier of the island

View of Downtown from the island

General form

The discovery of gold in California in 1848 brought thousands of ships into 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 on the lighthouse, which was used in the fog.

In 1909, during the construction of the prison, after 56 years of use, the first lighthouse of Alcatraz 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 needed round-the-clock maintenance.

Due to the "gold rush" there was a need to protect the bay. In 1850, by decree of the President of the United States, a fort was built on the island, where more than 110 long-range guns were installed. Subsequently, the fort was used to house prisoners. In 1909, the army demolished it, leaving only the foundation, and by 1912 a new building had been built for the prisoners. Pictured is one of the remaining cannons.

workshop building

The location in the middle of a bay with icy water and strong sea currents ensured the natural isolation of the island. Because of this, Alcatraz soon came to be regarded by the US Army as perfect place for the maintenance of prisoners of war. In 1861, the first Civil War prisoners of war from various states began to arrive 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 people. In 1906, after the San Francisco earthquake destroyed much of the city, hundreds of civilian prisoners were moved to the island for security reasons. In 1912, a large prison building was built, and by 1920, the three-story building was almost completely filled with prisoners.

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

Despite the harsh disciplinary measures applied to criminals, the prison regime was not strict. Many of the prisoners did housework for 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 guard organization to escape. Despite their best efforts, most of the fugitives did not manage to reach the shore and had to turn back to be rescued from the icy water. Those who did not return died of hypothermia.

Over the decades, the rules of the prison 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 coming to Alcatraz just to watch them.

Prison guards lived in these barracks with their families, I can’t imagine what it’s like to live on an island with prisoners ... Their children went to school every day by ferry and returned back in the evening

During the Great Depression (late 1920s - mid-1930s), the crime rate 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 gangster crimes, the government decided to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison. Alcatraz met the basic requirements: to place dangerous criminals far from society and scare the rest of the criminals who were still at large.

water tower

Entrance to the main building of the prison

In April 1934, the military prison received a new face and a new direction. Before the reconstruction, the gratings and bars were wooden - they were replaced with steel ones. Electricity was supplied to 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 keep watch, being protected by steel bars.

Shower room

The cells in the prison are very small.

The main corridor of the prison block was called "Broadway" by the prisoners, and the cells on the second tier along this passage were the most desirable in the prison. Other cells were located below, were cold, and staff and prisoners often passed by them.

The prison also had its own Times Square

Also Michigan Avenue

The courts did not sentence Alcatraz to imprisonment; especially “distinguished” prisoners from other prisons were usually transferred there. It was impossible to voluntarily choose Alcatraz to serve a sentence. Although exceptions were made for some gangsters, including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly (in those years "enemy of the state No. 1") and others.

prison officers

Federal prison governors had the power to transfer any delinquent inmate to Alcatraz. Despite popular belief, not only gangsters and especially dangerous criminals were kept in Alcatraz. 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 penalty.

This is what the overseer's uniform looked like

prisoners

Numbers in Alcatraz were given in order. As you can see from the photo, Al Capone got into Alcatraz 85th, in 1934. He was immediately told that he would not receive any indulgence or privileges. He often clashed with other prisoners and once even got stabbed in the prison barbershop.

Notorious prisoner George "Machine Gun" was taken to Alcatraz on September 4, 1934, by kidnapping an oil tycoon. Warden Johnston considered him a model prisoner, because despite his formidable nickname, he was distinguished by exemplary behavior and worked in the prison laundry until he died of a heart attack on his birthday in 1954.

Another well-known prisoner, Robert Stroud, who is better known as "The Birdman", ended up in Alcatraz in 1942. He spent 17 years on the "Rock", six of them in the block D cell and eleven years in the prison hospital, as he was declared mentally ill . When the bird-catcher was overcome with anger and he could not calm down in the hospital, he was put in an ice bath: this was considered the most effective remedy for the mentally ill. When Stroudt was transferred to Alcatraz, he was forbidden to breed birds, it was a great loss for him and he could only watch them from the window. This is what is considered the cause of his mental breakdowns and his death in 1963.

The rules in Alcatraz have changed dramatically. Now each prisoner had only his own cell and minimal privileges to receive food, water, clothing, medical and dental care. Inmates at Alcatraz were forbidden to have any personal belongings. In order to receive privileges to communicate with visitors, visit the prison library and write, the prisoner had to earn 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 removed.

Any media in Alcatraz were banned, including reading newspapers. All letters, as in any other prison, were corrected by a prison official.

Block D. Those who distinguished themselves even in Alcatraz were placed here. These are 6 closed dark chambers, they were also called "Hole". The prisoners went crazy here. Placed here as a rule from several days and above. No one has been sitting here for more than 19 days.

Inside view

outside view

prison library

Walking yard for prisoners

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. Guard towers were placed around the perimeter of the island in the most strategic locations. 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, while before the reconstruction the prison population never exceeded 300 prisoners. The introduction of new security measures, along with the cold waters of the San Francisco Bay, created a reliable barrier for even the most incorrigible criminals.

Dining room entrance

Here's what she looks like now

Administrative building

Security room

Family meeting room

And this is the view from the side of the prisoners

View of freedom from the window. Apparently they did it on purpose so that a person would suffer ...

Well, actually about the famous escape.

In general, in the 29 years of operation of the prison, presumably, not a single successful escape was made, however, since the five prisoners who tried to escape could not be found (neither alive nor dead), it cannot be said for sure. A total of thirty-four prisoners organized 14 escape attempts, two tried to escape twice; seven were shot dead, two drowned, five went missing, the rest were captured and returned back to jail. Two prisoners tried to swim away from the island, but were caught: one in 1945, the other in 1962.

Well, the most famous escape was made by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers. The three escaped from their cells on June 11, 1962, devising one of the most elaborate escape plans ever.

Frank Morris

John Anglin

Clarence Anglin

Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers took turns digging chunks out of the water-damaged concrete to get to the service tunnel. They used a homemade drill for this purpose, made from a metal spoon soldered with silver from a dime with a motor stolen from a vacuum cleaner. The noise from the makeshift drill was masked by music playing for an hour.

When the hole in the wall was completed, the trio constructed papier-mâché dolls in their beds so that their absence would not be detected prematurely by the guards.

Behind the cells in the prison building was an unprotected service tunnel about one meter wide.

However, most likely, the fugitives did not swim to the shore, having disappeared somewhere in the cold waters of the bay. Officially, they are considered missing. By not official version, they could reach the shore and hide. The official FBI investigation was assisted by another prisoner, Allen West, who also prepared the escape, but due to an oversight on the last day, the escape was not possible.

However, it is impossible to conclude that they drowned. Still, for Morris, this end seems too simple. He was not a fool, spent most of his life in prison and made 11 escape attempts, not counting this one, besides, he had an IQ of 133 points. He was a master of escape and knew exactly the dangers of the bay. And he had months to watch the current from the exercise yard and plan the route. The escape itself was very cleverly planned, and they clearly paid enough attention to the main obstacle to freedom.

In favor of the version that at least one of the fugitives managed to reach the shore is that the Anglin brothers were from swampy Florida, where the forest is flooded by the sea during high tides, they knew how to build rafts, manage with the current, and were good swimmers.

The fact that no bodies were found suggests that the prisoners reached the mainland. However, specifically on the night of the escape around the same time, a man named Seymour Webb threw himself off the Golden Gate Bridge and his body was never found.

In favor of the official version they say the following facts. The water temperature in the bay was about 10 degrees, after about 20 minutes the cold began to act on the body. The water temperature in Alcatraz's showers was moderately hot so that the prisoners' bodies would not get used to the cold water. In addition, two days later, a waterproof bag was found near Angel Island, which contained a phone book, money, and family photographs that belonged to one of the Anglin brothers. In addition, a homemade life jacket was found with visible teeth marks at the valve, which made it possible to think that the clamp was not airtight, and it was more difficult for the swimmer to stay on the surface of the water.

On July 7, 1962, the Norwegian cargo ship SS Norefjell was leaving Pier 38 when a body was spotted floating twenty miles northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge. The man was wearing blue denim pants that looked like a prisoner's uniform. According to the FBI, there were no other persons missing or drowned at this time who would have been dressed in similar clothes.

In 2003, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-creators of the San Francisco television series Discovery's MythBusters, tried to figure out if it was possible for the fugitives to survive. Using the same materials as in 1962 to build the raft, they built the raft from 30 rubber raincoats and made oars out of plywood (allegedly the real fugitives also used the same material). The myth busters logically assumed that since the fugitives had the sense to plan such an escape, then most likely they had the sense to use the current as an assistant in escaping, which means they were not sailing to Angel Island, as the police believe and about which they are probably for introduction to delusion, said the fourth participant in the escape, and to the north side of Cape Marin or the "Golden Gate" of San Francisco. Hyneman and Savage waited for similar weather conditions and the direction of the current, characteristic of the time of year when the prisoners fled.

In the role of the third prisoner was another member of the film crew, Wil Abbott. They began paddling downstream towards Cape Marine near the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. The swim took no more than 40 minutes, and Hyneman and Savage concluded that perhaps the fugitives managed to get to land and escape.

According to Alcatraz historian Frank Heeney, who spoke with relatives of the Anglin brothers, they claim to have received a postcard from South America signed by both brothers, but they never heard a word about Frank Morris. Despite this information, the actual fate of the prisoners remains unknown, and a $1,000,000 reward offered in 1993 by Red & White Fleet, the Alcatraz ferry operator, remains unclaimed.

The "Battle of Alcatraz" was the name given to an unsuccessful escape attempt that took place from May 2 to May 4, 1946, in which two guards were killed (one later died of severe wounds) and three prisoners, and 14 guards and one prisoner were injured.

Bernard Coy, a bank robber who was serving a twenty-year sentence, found a weak spot in the bars that protected the western arms depot. At about 2 pm on May 2, he (after being on a diet for a long time) undressed, smeared himself with fat and climbed along the grate below the weapons depot.

Using a makeshift device he had made in his workshop, he unbent the bars a little and squeezed between them, outwitting the guards on duty. When he reached the target, he armed himself with a Springfield rifle and began throwing off automatic weapons, keys, batons and gas grenades to his accomplices. Armed prisoners captured nine guards and locked them in a cell.

The purpose of the prisoners was to capture the boat, which was supposed to arrive at the prison from the mainland. They planned, hiding behind the captured guards, to try to capture the boat, and on it to get to San Francisco. But for this they had to get outside the prison building, and then the prisoners realized that they did not have a key to the door leading to the courtyard. Bernard Coy and his accomplice Joseph Kretzer began to demand the key they needed from the captured guards, and when they realized that they could not get it, Kretzer began to shoot at the guards in the cell. And the key, by a lucky chance, was not put in place by one of the captured guards, Bill Miller.

Later, the prisoners found the key from him, but due to the selection of all the keys in a row to the door leading to the courtyard, the locking mechanism worked, and the prisoners were trapped.

The shooting did not go unnoticed, the siren was turned on and help was called. Marines, the Coast Guard, and later FBI agents soon arrived to help. It was decided to storm, the guards opened fire on the rebellious prisoners, and the assault team tried to enter the prison. One fighter from the assault team was mortally wounded, probably by a bullet from his partner. The Marines began throwing tear gas grenades into Cell Block D. Robert Stroud, the "Alcatraz Birdman" (mentioned above), took on the heroic role of closing the steel doors under gunfire to protect the prisoners. The prisoners, realizing that it was all over, returned to their cells.

At 9:45 am on May 4, the guards stormed the prison. They found the bodies of Kretzer, Coy, and Marvin Hubbard. Prisoners Miran Thompson and Sam Shockley were later executed in the San Quentin gas chamber in 1948 for their part in the riot. Nineteen-year-old Clarence Karnes received a second life sentence instead of the death penalty for active participation in the riot.

Alcatraz (Alcatraz) on geographical map Mira is a small island located in San Francisco Bay. Another name for it is The Rock.

The island has interesting story. At one time, its territory was used as a protective fort, a little later it housed a military prison, and then its building turned into a super-secure prison, where especially dangerous criminals were kept, as well as those who tried to escape from the previous place of detention in the past.

Currently, the island houses a museum. You can get to it by ferry that runs from San Francisco.

When was the island discovered?

The first traveler to enter the San Francisco Bay was the Spaniard Juan Manuel de Ayala. Together with his team, he visited there in 1775 and made a map of the bay. He also gave the name of La Isla de los Alcatrazes to one of the three islands located there. Translated from Spanish, it means "island of pelicans." According to some researchers, such a name could be given due to the abundance of these birds on this piece of land. However, according to ornithologists, there are no pelican colonies on or near the island. This area is a favorite place for cormorants and other large waterfowl.

In 1828, the English geographer Captain Frederick Beachy made a mistake. When compiling his map, he transferred the name of the island given by Juan Manuel de Ayala from Spanish documents to the neighboring one. This area is now known as the location of the famous prison called Island Alcatrazes. Further, in 1851, the name of the island was somewhat shortened by the topographic service. This place became known as Alcatraz.

Building a lighthouse

In 1848, gold deposits were discovered in California. This fact led to the fact that thousands of ships came to San Francisco Bay. This created an urgent need for the construction of a lighthouse. The first of them was installed and began to work in the summer of 1853 on the island of Alcatraz. Three years later, a bell was installed at this lighthouse, used during heavy fog.

In 1909, the construction of a prison began on the island. At the same time, the first lighthouse, which had served for 56 years, was dismantled. The second such structure was installed on Alcatraz on December 1, 1909, not far from the prison building. In 1963 this lighthouse was modified. Having become autonomous and automatic, it no longer required round-the-clock maintenance.

Fort

The gold rush that arose in these places led to the need to protect the bay. That is why on the island in 1850, by decree issued by the President of the United States, the construction of a fort began. On the territory of this protective structure installed long-range guns, the number of which exceeded 110 units. Somewhat later, the fort began to be used to accommodate prisoners within its walls. However, in 1909, by order of the army command, the building was demolished to the foundation. By 1912, a new building was erected for criminals.

military prison

The location of Alcatraz Island provides its natural isolation from the land. After all, it is located in the very middle of the San Francisco Bay and is surrounded by icy water, as well as powerful sea currents. All this contributed to the fact that the island began to be considered by the leadership of the US Army as an ideal place for keeping prisoners of war. The first of them ended up in the Alcatraz prison in 1861. They were people from various states who were captured during the Civil War. In 1898, the United States was involved in hostilities with the Spaniards. This war led to an increase in the number of prisoners who also ended up in the Alcatraz prison. So, from 26 people it increased to 450.

The history of Alcatraz prison began to develop in a slightly different direction after the earthquake that happened in 1906. A natural disaster destroyed most of San Francisco, forcing the authorities to move several hundred civilian prisoners to the island. This was done primarily for security reasons.

In 1912, the Alcatraz prison was expanded. An impressive building was erected on the island. By 1920, this three-story building was almost completely "populated" with prisoners.

The history of the Alcatraz prison allows us to judge it as a place that was particularly strict towards violators. Here, prisoners who did not obey discipline faced the most severe punishments. In the first army long-term prison, offenders were sent to hard work, and could also be placed in solitary confinement, providing them with a limited ration of bread and water. But this list disciplinary action was not limited.

Military personnel incarcerated at Alcatraz Prison had an average age of 24. Most of them were serving time for desertion or some less serious offense. There were also those in the Alcatraz prison who were sent here for a long period for physical violence and disobedience to commanders, murder or theft.

The military order forbade the people who were there to stay in the cell during the day. The only exceptions were special cases of forced imprisonment. High-ranking servicemen who committed certain disciplinary offenses were also accommodated here. These prisoners in the Alcatraz prison were able to move around fairly freely. They were only forbidden to enter the guard rooms that were one level higher.

But in general, despite the adoption of severe disciplinary measures against criminals, the regime here could not be called strict. Most of the prisoners did housework for those families who lived on the island where the Alcatraz prison is located. A select few of them were sometimes trusted to look after the children. At times, prisoners used a vulnerable guard organization to escape. However, the very place where the Alcatraz prison is located did not allow them to reach the mainland. Most of the fugitives were forced to return because of the icy water. Those who dared to get to the shore died in the bay from hypothermia.

Alcatraz prison (see photo below) gradually softened its rules.

By the late 1920s, inmates were allowed to set up a baseball field and even wear their own sports uniforms. Boxing competitions were organized between the criminals on Friday evenings. These fights were so popular that even civilians living in San Francisco gathered to watch them.

How many years has Alcatraz been used as a prison by the military? The Department of Defense closed it in 1934. This happened after 73 years of use due to the high costs associated with the location of the Alcatraz prison, since it was only supplied by boats from the shore. After that, the facilities located on the island were transferred to the department of the Ministry of Justice.

federal prison

A high surge in crime rates was noted in the United States from the late 1920s to the mid-1930s. This was facilitated by the Great Depression that arose in the country.

During this period, organized crime began to emerge in the form of individual gangs and mafia families that unleashed a real war for spheres of influence. Law enforcement officers and civilians often became victims in this fight. Gangsters controlled power in the cities. Criminals gave bribes to officials so that they turned a blind eye to the lawlessness that was happening.

The response of the authorities to the war unleashed by gangsters was the decision that decided to reopen the famous Alcatraz prison. Only now it has become federal.

A similar decision was made by the US government due to the fact that the Alcatraz prison is located on an inaccessible island, and this allows you to isolate criminals from society, frightening those offenders who are still at large. The head of the Federal Prisons, Sanford Bates, and Attorney General Homer Cummings, initiated the development of a project to renovate the prison. To this end, they invited Robert Burge, who at that time was considered the best expert in the field of security. His task was to draw up a new project for the prison. The reconstruction of the building was capital. The entire building, except for the foundation, was destroyed, and then a new building was built on this site.

Already in April 1934, where war criminals were housed in the Alcatraz prison, a building appeared with a new face and a new focus. So, if before the reconstruction the bars and gratings were made of wood, then after the redevelopment they became steel. Also, electricity appeared in each cell, and it was decided to completely wall up the service tunnels so that the prisoners could not hide in them and escape in the future. Appeared in the prison building and special gun galleries. They were positioned above the level of the cells in order to protect the guards, who now kept their watch behind the iron bars.

The prison canteen has always been the most vulnerable place for brawls and fights. That is why this room of Alcatraz was equipped with containers filled with tear gas. Located on the ceiling, they were controlled remotely.

Along the perimeter of the prison building, in the most strategically suitable areas, guard towers were placed. The equipment of the doors has also changed. They have built-in electrical sensors.

In total, there were 600 cells in the Alcatraz prison (photo inside the building is presented below). At the same time, the building was divided into four blocks - B, C, F and D.

This made it possible to significantly expand the area of \u200b\u200bthe prison, which, before the reconstruction, accommodated no more than 300 prisoners. The security measures introduced, combined with the icy waters of the bay surrounding the island, created an impregnable barrier even for those criminals who were considered incorrigible.

Boss

The new prison needed a new leader. The Federal Bureau of Prisons appointed James A. Johnston to this position. He was chosen for his strict principles and humane approach to the reformation of criminals, which allowed them to return to society after their release. Johnston was also known for his reforms, which were carried out for the benefit of the prisoners. This man did not see convicts bound in a single chain in criminals. He believed that they should be introduced to such work, where they would feel respect and understand that their efforts would certainly be rewarded. The press wrote laudatory articles about Johnston, calling him "the chief of the golden rule."

Prior to his assignment to Alcatraz, this man served as director of the San Quentin prison. There he was introduced to a number of educational programs, which were very successful and had a beneficial effect on a large part of the prisoners. But at the same time, Johnston was a strict disciplinarian. The rules he established were considered the most rigid in the entire correctional system, and the penalties applied were the most severe. Johnston personally attended the execution by hanging in San Quentin and knew perfectly well how best to communicate with incorrigible criminals.

prison life

The decision to serve the sentence in Alcatraz was not issued by the courts. Here criminals got from other prisons for their special "differences". After Alcatraz came under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, the rules here have undergone fundamental changes. For example, each prisoner was given his own cell. In addition, criminals enjoyed minimal privileges that allowed them to receive water and food, clothing, medical and dental care. Personal belongings are strictly prohibited. Anyone who wanted to talk to visitors, borrow a book from the prison library or write a letter had to earn this right by impeccable behavior and work. At the same time, those criminals who were considered violators of discipline were not allowed to work. In case of the slightest fault, the privileges were immediately removed.

In Alcatraz, any media, including newspapers, were banned. Letters written by prisoners were subject to correction by a prison official.

Any leader who headed one of the federal prisons had the right to transfer prisoners to Alcatraz. Here, despite the prevailing opinion, not only gangsters were sent. Contained in this prison on the island and those who represented a special danger. For example, fugitives and rebels, as well as those who constantly sought to violate the regime, were sent to Alcatraz from other prisons. Of course, gangsters were among the criminals on the island, but for the most part they were usually sentenced to death.

The prison day began with getting up at 6:30. Then, within 25 minutes, the prisoners had to clean the cell, after which they had to go to the roll-call gate. At 6:55, if everyone was present, the doors were opened and the criminals were led into the dining room. They were given 20 minutes to eat. After that, the prisoners lined up and received prison work.

The whole life of these people turned into a monotonous routine cycle, which was not subject to any changes for many years. The largest corridor in the building was called “Broadway” by the prisoners, and the cells located along this passage, but only on the second tier, were the most desirable for them. They were warm, and no one passed by them.

Appointed to lead Alcatraz, Johnston maintained a quiet policy early in his career. Many prisoners regarded this as the most unbearable punishment. In this regard, they complained and demanded its cancellation. Some of the criminals were said to have gone mad because of this policy. Later, this rule was abolished, which was one of the few maintenance changes on the island.

The eastern wing of the prison was reserved for solitary isolation cells. The toilet in them was an ordinary hole, the drain of which was controlled by a guard. Criminals were placed in such cells without outerwear, allocating them a rather meager ration. The doors of the insulators had a narrow gap through which the prisoner was given food. The cell was always closed, and the person in it was in the dark. Placed in isolation for 1-2 days. It was very cold in it. The mattress was given out only for the night. Being in this wing was considered the most severe punishment for bad behavior and serious infractions. Every prisoner was afraid to get here.

shoots

Many dreamed of breaking free and leaving Alcatraz. However, this was almost impossible to do. The most successful escape attempt, which was probably successful, was carried out in 1962 by brothers John and Clarence Anglin. These criminals used a homemade drill with which they dug the cement out of the walls. Having carefully studied the schedule for changing guards and other nuances, on June 11, 1962, the prisoners escaped through the service tunnel, which was located behind their cells. On sleeper each of the criminals they left a body model. The fugitives blocked the hole in the tunnel from the inside with bricks. Such measures were necessary in order for the guards to become aware of their absence as late as possible.

Then the criminals entered the roof through the ventilation system and went down the drain channel. Having got out to the bay, they built a makeshift raft, inflating rubber raincoats prepared in advance with a small accordion. According to the official version, the fugitives could not swim to the shore. However, their bodies were not found in the bay. There is also an unofficial version of what happened. According to many independent experts, the escape in 1962 was nevertheless successful, and the prisoners were released. The MythBusters show was also interested in this story at one time. Its organizers conducted their own investigation, the results of which convincingly proved the fact that the escape could well be crowned with success.

Another, quite possibly, successful escape occurred on 12/16/1937. On this day, Theodore Cole and his friend Ralph Rowe (workers at the workshop where iron was processed) removed the bars from the window in one of their shifts and went to the waters of the bay. However, on this day a strong storm raged, and, judging by the official version, the fugitives drowned. However, their bodies were not found. Perhaps the criminals were swept out to sea. But until now, these fugitives are considered missing in the United States.

In general, from the beginning of its existence to the closing of the Alcatraz prison, 14 escape attempts were made in it, in which 34 people took part. And two of them did it twice. As a result, seven of these criminals were shot dead by the guards, the five described above went missing, two drowned, and the rest were returned to their cells.

Closing the prison

The last prisoners left the inhospitable island on March 21, 1963. This is the date the Alcatraz prison was closed. The decree on the termination of the activities of the legendary building was signed by the US Attorney General (brother of John F. Kennedy, the current US President).

Why was Alcatraz prison closed? The official version explained this decision by the excessively large expenses that the government allocated for the maintenance of prisoners. After all, everything here (food, water, fuel, etc.) was imported from the mainland. In addition, the salt water gradually destroyed buildings, causing the prison to need $3-5 million in repairs.

Alcatraz today

After the prison was officially closed, the government of the country discussed various ways to use the island. One of these options was the placement of a UN monument on it.

In 1971, the island became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and became a prison museum. Today, Alcatraz is one of the most important attractions in San Francisco and is very popular with tourists. Thousands of visitors come here every day on ferries, trying to experience the exciting atmosphere of this prison.

The glory of Alcatraz today is exploited in every possible way. Hotels with the same names are open in Germany and England. They offer their clients to stay in a small room that has all the amenities. Of course, it is unlikely that such rooms can be compared with a real Alcatraz.

In 1996, the film "The Rock" was released on the screens of cinemas. This is a film about the Alcatraz prison with Nicolas Cage, shot by American director Michael Bay. The tape tells the viewer about the history of the theft of missiles with deadly gas, which was carried out by a general of the US elite special forces with his subordinates. The military took hostage visitors to the former Alcatraz prison and put forward demands for the transfer of money to the families of military personnel who died during covert operations.

MOSCOW, 21 Mar- RIA Novosti, Andrey Grigoriev. Remoteness from the mainland, cut off by a fast cold current, harsh conditions for prisoners and life sentences - the American prison "Alcatraz" went down in history as one of the most severe in the world. It was closed 55 years ago, on March 21, 1963.

Prisoners of war were brought here, and in the 1930s - gangsters and serial killers. About the legendary American prison, where the godfather of the American mafia, Al Capone, was serving his sentence, - in the material of RIA Novosti.

Citadel

The fortress on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay was built in the middle of the 19th century. During the Civil War, prisoners and soldiers convicted of desertion, looting and other crimes were sent there. including the most severe ones. "Guests" of the island were waiting for hard physical labor, solitary cells and bread and water for lunch.

Later, the regime was softened: a baseball field was equipped on the territory of the prison, teams were formed from prisoners. There were also boxing competitions. The fights were so spectacular that for them many San Francisco residents came to the island on Fridays. But due to high maintenance costs, the military closed the prison, transferring it to the Ministry of Justice.

Gangster bootleggers

Prohibition was in effect in the United States from 1920 to 1933. Organized crime flourished on the illegal trade in alcohol. country first of all big cities, rocked by criminal wars. In street skirmishes with gangsters, police officers and bystanders were killed. The authorities remembered Alcatraz, repaired it and opened it in 1934 already in federal status. Strong steel bars were built in the cells, the doors were equipped with electronic motion sensors, part underground tunnels walled up, and guards armed to the teeth were posted around the entire perimeter. It was impossible to run away from here. In the dining room, in case of riots, there were containers with tear gas.

Young and thieves. How teenage killers live behind barsMurder, rape, drug trafficking, robbery - about a hundred juvenile delinquents from the central regions of Russia are serving their sentences in the Mozhaisk educational colony. Some didn't even finish school.

Especially dangerous criminals got into Alcatraz: gangsters, maniacs, serial killers, as well as fugitives from other prisons. They were placed in solitary confinement. It was strictly forbidden to talk, because of which some even went crazy. Minor indulgences in the form of a visit to the library or permission to correspond with relatives could only be earned by hard physical labor and exemplary behavior.

Probably the most famous "guest" of "Alcatraz" is the main US mafia Al Capone. He was sentenced to ten years for tax evasion. He spent seven years at Alcatraz. During this time, the gangster has almost completely lost his influence in the criminal world. The island was also visited by George Kelly Barnes, nicknamed Machine Gun Kelly. Like Capone, he rose to the top of the criminal hierarchy during Prohibition, running the illegal liquor trade. In 1933 he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

On a small raft

According to official figures, no one managed to escape from Alcatraz Island, although there were attempts. But there is another opinion. Some researchers believe that Frank Maurice and the Angli brothers made a successful escape in 1962. The fugitives studied the territory of the prison, the behavior of the guards and the climatic features of the current in the bay for a long time. For several years they drilled the wall in the cell. Having made a hole, they got out into the tunnel and after a few minutes they were on the shore, where a home-made raft of raincoats was waiting for them. With the help of a small harmonica, they blew it up and left the island. The search yielded no results. According to one version, the prisoners drowned, according to another, they safely reached the shore and disappeared.

Hollywood made a movie about it with Clint Eastwood as Maurice. In 2003, the authors of the popular science program "Mythbusters" tried to repeat the escape. They assembled exactly the same raft and 40 minutes after sailing moored to the cape at the Golden Gate Bridge.

The bloodiest escape attempt, known as the "Battle of Alcatraz", took place in May 1946. Everything was organized by Bernard Coy, who is serving a 20-year sentence for bank robbery. For several months he ate almost nothing and lost a lot of weight. At one o'clock, X thickly smeared himself with fat, squeezed through the bars to the arms depot, picked up grenades and rifles. Together with accomplices, he took several guards hostage. A boat arrived for the fugitives from the mainland. However, it was not possible to reach him. A detachment of marines and FBI agents was urgently transferred to the island. In a fierce two-day shootout, some of the fugitives were eliminated. The rest were sentenced to death. Several security guards and intelligence officers were killed in the special operation.

Alcatraz prison It was the first military prison in the country, in which such famous criminals as Al Capone were kept under the most severe protection. The prison is located on a rock with an area of 5 hectares, and the 2.5 km wide icy waters of the strait with dangerous currents, sharks and sewage separate Alcatraz from the coast of San Francisco.

Alcatraz prison: photo where it is located

In 1775, the Spaniard Juan Manuel de Ayala (Spanish: Juan Manuel de Ayala) was the first to enter the San Francisco Bay. His team mapped the bay and gave the name La Isla de los Alcatraces (Spanish: La Isla de los Alcatraces - Gannet Island) 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 the reports of ornithologists, there are no colonies of either pelicans or boobies, 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 the Spanish maps to the neighboring one, now known as the site of the famous prison, under the name of Island Alcatrazes. In 1851, the United States Coast Guard Survey shortened the name to Alcatraz.

Alcatraz prison: history

Fort and military prison Alcatraz

The location in the middle of a bay with icy water and strong sea currents ensured the natural isolation of the island. Because of this, it soon became regarded by the US Army as an ideal place to keep prisoners of war. In 1861, the first Civil War prisoners of war from various states began to arrive 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 people. In 1906, after the San Francisco earthquake destroyed much of the city, hundreds of civilian prisoners were moved to the island for security reasons. In 1912, a large prison building was built, and by 1920, the three-story building was almost completely filled with prisoners.

Alcatraz was the Army's first long-term prison and began to develop a reputation for being strict with offenders who faced harsh disciplinary action. The punishment could be assignment to hard work, placement in solitary confinement with a limited diet of bread and water, and the list was not limited to this. The average age of incarcerated military personnel was 24, and most were serving short sentences for desertion or lesser offences. There were also those who left long terms for disobedience to commanders, physical violence, theft or murder.

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

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 Penitentiary Alcatraz

In response to gangster crimes, the government decided to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison. Alcatraz prison met the basic requirements: to place dangerous criminals away from society and scare the rest of the criminals who were still at large. Federal Prisons Chief Sanford Bates and Attorney General Homer Cummings initiated a 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 intact, and the building itself was completely rebuilt.

Prior to Alcatraz, Johnston was director of San Quentin Prison, where he introduced several successful educational programs that benefited most of the inmates. At the same time, Johnston was a strict disciplinarian. His rules were the most rigid in the correctional system, and the punishments were the most severe. Johnston was present at the hanging in San Quentin more than once and knew how to deal with the most incorrigible criminals.

Alcatraz and prison life

Alcatraz prison was once a legend in the American penitentiary system: the most dangerous criminals or those who managed to escape from other prisons were imprisoned here.

Prison life began with getting up at 6:30, the prisoners were given 25 minutes to clean the cell, 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 would open one by one and the prisoners would move to the prison canteen. They were given 20 minutes to eat, then they were lined up to distribute prison work. The monotonous cycle of the prison routine was inexorable, and it did not change for many years. The main corridor of the prison block was called "Broadway" by the prisoners, and the cells on the second tier along this passage were the most desirable in the prison. Other cells were located below, were cold, and staff and prisoners often passed by them.

IN early years During Alcatraz's work, Warden Johnston maintained a policy of silence, which many inmates considered the most unbearable punishment. There were many complaints demanding its abolition. There were rumors that several inmates went crazy because of this rule. The silence policy was later abolished, and this is one of the few rule changes on Alcatraz.

In the east wing there were single isolation cells. They didn't even have a full-fledged toilet: just a hole, the drain of which was controlled by a guard. They were placed in the isolation ward without outerwear and on a meager ration. The door of the cell had a closable narrow slit for the transfer of food, which was always closed, leaving the prisoner in complete darkness. Usually they were placed in an isolation room for 1-2 days. It was cold in the cell, and the mattress was given out only for the night. It was considered the most severe punishment for serious infractions and bad behavior, and this punishment was feared by all the prisoners. The new prison also needed a new leader. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has selected James A. Johnston for the position. Johnston was chosen for his strict principles and humane approach to reforming criminals to reintegrate them into society. He was also known for his reforms for the benefit of the prisoners.

Johnston did not believe in chained convicts. He believed that prisoners should be introduced to work in which they would be respected and rewarded for their efforts. Nicknamed the "Golden Rule Warden", Johnston was praised by the press for the improvements made to the California highways at his road camps. Prisoners working in them were not paid money, but for diligent work they reduced the term.

Alcatraz Prison: Escapes

The most successful escape attempt that may have been successful occurred in 1962. Frank Morris, along with brothers John Anglin and Clarence Anglin, using a homemade drill, they pick out cement from the walls. Having carefully prepared, having studied the schedule of guard changes and other nuances, on June 11, 1962, they fled through the service tunnel located behind their cells.

Having got out into the tunnel, they laid a hole from the nutria with a brick, and on their sleeping places in ours (shkonks, or more precisely in relation to prisons, bunks) they left dummies of their bodies so that the escape would be revealed as late as possible. Then, through the ventilation system, they penetrated the roof and went down to the water through the water canal. There, using pre-prepared rubber raincoats, they inflated a raft of raincoats with the help of a small accordion and started swimming. According to the official version, they never made it to the 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 the Alcatraz prison was successful and the prisoners managed to escape to freedom. Even the famous show “MythBusters” became interested in this story and carried out its own investigation, which proved that the escape could be successful.

Another possibly successful escape attempt occurred on December 16, 1937 - Theodore Cole (Theodore Cole) and his friend Ralph Roe (Ralph Roe), having worked for some time in an iron processing workshop, developed a plan and, in one of their shifts, removed the bars from the window and went to the water. On that ill-fated day, they were unlucky and a strong storm broke out and, probably “according to the official version”, they drowned before reaching the coast of San Francisco. Their bodies have never been 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 inmates at Alcatraz Prison:

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

The number one enemy of the state, George machine gun Kelly, was sentenced to life imprisonment, in Alcatraz he was not that ruthless and cruel killer and gangster who was at large. For his exemplary behavior he got the nickname slammed George. After serving 17 years in Alcatraz Prison, he was transferred back 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 the poultry farmer killed a man who beat and robbed his wife in self-defense for which he received 12 years, although at that time in practice they were given 2-3 years for similar crimes, but the new judge decided to show himself and gave him 12 years old.

Then he untwisted in prison, killing a guard who brutally mocked him and was sentenced to death, and only thanks to his mother remained alive, she miraculously handed over a petition to commute the death penalty to life imprisonment to US President Woodrow Wilson. Almost 80% of the time he spent alone. He received the nickname because of his passion for birds, which turned into a real scientific work that was appreciated by everyone. science community. He died in Alcatraz Prison at the age of 75, without waiting for a pardon.

Roy Gardner, a notorious gangster and train robber who stole over $350,000 in his criminal career, mainly robbed mail trains. The reward for his head at that time was a very impressive 5 thousand US dollars, he was the most wanted man on the Pacific coast of the United States in 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 the newspapers with an appeal to the authorities “come and take me”, after being caught he was transferred to the Alcatraz prison. Published his autobiography with the title "Infernal Alcatraz". In it, he spoke not only about his life, but also about other famous personalities of the Alcatraz prison (Al Capone, Birdman, George Machine Gun Kelia and others). He was part of a group that planned an escape, which I think they succeeded in, but he didn't go with them.

Alcatraz prison: closing

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

After the closure, many ways of further use of 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, actually capturing it. This was done through the federal Indian Removal Act of 1934. While living on the island, the Indians burned large fires in the buildings, painted the walls. Because of the fires, the guards' rest house, a quarter of the Coast Guard barracks and the house of the prison warden were severely damaged, and many apartments in residential buildings on the island.

However, the Indians did not stay long on the island, and in June 1971, by decision of the US government, they were expelled from Alcatraz. The graffiti on the walls can still be seen today. In 1971 the island was made part of National Zone Recreation "Golden Gate". In 1973, the island was opened to tourists, and now it is visited by about a million visitors annually.