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Learn about the history, construction, and operations of the former maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Find out why it was considered escape-proof, who were its famous inmates and wardens, and how it became a museum.
- 3 min
- Early Years as a Military Prison. In 1775, Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala (1745-97) mapped and named rugged Alcatraz Island, christening it La Isla de los Alcatraces, or Island of the Pelicans, due to its large population of sea birds.
- Doing Time as a Federal Prison: 1934-63. In 1933, the Army relinquished Alcatraz to the U.S. Justice Department, which wanted a federal prison that could house a criminal population too difficult or dangerous to be handled by other U.S. penitentiaries.
- Famous Inmates. Among those who did time at The Rock was the notorious Prohibition-era gangster Al “Scarface” Capone, who spent four-and-a-half years there during the 1930s.
- Escape Attempts from Alcatraz. Over the years, there were 14 known attempts to escape from Alcatraz, involving 36 inmates. The Federal Bureau of Prisons reports that of these would-be escapees, 23 were captured, six were shot and killed during their attempted getaways, two drowned and five went missing and were presumed drowned.
Aug 16, 2024 · Alcatraz, former maximum-security prison located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, off the coast of California. Alcatraz, originally envisioned as a naval defense fortification, was designated a residence for military offenders in 1861, and it housed a diverse collection of prisoners in its.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Jan 12, 2024 · Explore the history and beauty of Alcatraz, a former fort, military prison, and federal penitentiary. Learn about the Indian occupation, the Big Lockup exhibit, and virtual tours.
Alcatraz Island is a former federal prison and a historic landmark in San Francisco Bay. Learn about its history, from the Spanish explorers to the Native American occupation, and its features, such as the lighthouse, the cellhouse, and the seabird colony.
Learn about the origins, life, and escapes of Alcatraz, the infamous federal penitentiary that housed notorious criminals such as Al Capone and the Birdman. Explore the timeline, photos, and stories of the island that was once a military fortress and a lighthouse.
Learn how three inmates escaped from Alcatraz in 1962 using a homemade raft and dummy heads, and how the FBI tried to find them. See the evidence, the clues, and the mystery that remains unsolved.
