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Cell block in Alcatraz, a former prison on Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, 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 early years.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The island became adapted and used as a prison of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in August 1934 after the buildings were modernized and security increased. Given this high security and the island's location in the cold waters and strong currents of San Francisco Bay , prison operators believed Alcatraz to be escape-proof and America's most ...
- 312
- August 11, 1934; 89 years ago
- March 21, 1963; 60 years ago
- History of Alcatraz
- Alcatraz Today
- Getting to Alcatraz
Initially discovered by a Spanish explorer in 1775 (its name literally meant Isle of the Penguins originally), Alcatraz Island was first used by the US military in 1853, when it established a base there, transforming it into Fortress Alcatraz. This heavily fortified structure was completed in 1859. In the course of the American Civil War, the defen...
Ferries depart regularly from Pier 33: there are multiple tour options available. Bring your own earphones for the audio tour, and expect a visit to last at least hours (including the ferry to and from the mainland). It’s an eerie yet fascinating journey into the workings of this famous site, and exploring Alcatraz Island’s varied and often dark hi...
Alcatraz Island is accessible by ferry only: these depart regularly from Pier 33, on the Embarcadero. The tram stops a few hundred metre away (The Embarcadero & Greenwich St) and bus routes 27, 54 and 72 also stop very close by. There’s private parking close by – expect to pay handsomely for the privilege.
- Sarah Roller
- 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.
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- Lupin The Third: Alcatraz Connection. Lupin and his crew are searching for some gold bars in a sunken ship off the coast of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California.
- Downtime. Slim Williams, a small-time dealer, and his sidekick Paulie are prepared to score big. But when Slim gets caught in a lethal police operation and is sent to a maximum-security prison, the simple arrangement turns into a nightmare.
- Escape From Alcatraz. The only three men to ever escape from the notorious Alcatraz maximum security facility are the subject of this movie. Also, the film is inspired by the book of the same name.
- The Rock. John Patrick Mason, a former British spy, and FBI chemical warfare expert Stanley Goodspeed are sent on an urgent assignment. They both have to stop Gen.
The Rock and roles: Movies filmed at Alcatraz. It's 50 years ago this month that the world's most famous prison, Alcatraz, said goodbye to its final inmates. To commemorate The Rock's anniversary, here are some of the most memorable movies set on the island. Clint Eastwood in the 1979 movie Escape from Alcatraz. Paramount Pictures. Joanna Berry.
Feb 1, 2024 · Alcatraz was a federal penitentiary located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, known for housing some of America’s most notorious criminals. Below are some of the most asked questions about Alcatraz: When was Alcatraz in operation as a federal prison? Alcatraz operated as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963.
