Why was Alcatraz closed? Impregnable "Alcatraz": the history of the worst prison of the twentieth century

In the United States, in the San Francisco Bay, there is a very controversial, but invariably curiosity island of Alcatraz. 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 its dark role was destined by nature itself.

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Initially, it was a military prison in which there were prisoners, deserters and those who committed crimes of varying severity. At that time, the bulk of the 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 punishments were applied to violators of discipline.

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

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

Prison Breaks

However, even the obvious futility of attempts to escape did not stop the prisoners. Many have tried to get out of 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 it was they who became the lucky ones who were destined to accomplish the impossible?

The most famous of the prisoners who have never been found are the Anglin brothers and Frank Morris. They made the most ingenious escape in the history of the prison. The plan was thought out by them 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 gained wide popularity also thanks to its famous prisoners. Perhaps the most recognizable is Al Capone, an American gangster who began serving his sentence at Alcatraz in 1934. Within these walls, the greatest criminal spent 7 years. 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 requires very large financial costs, it was closed. By that time, there were only 27 slaves in it. Almost never cameras (and there are less than 600 of them) were not fully equipped. For 29 years, only about 1,600 men served their sentences there. There were no women in this prison.

How to get to the island

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

You can get to the island by ferry from San Francisco, which departs from pier number 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 interior spaces prison - cells, an isolation ward, a meeting room for visitors, a dining room, a shower room. You can also see stands where real photos prisoners and the officers guarding them, take a walk along the main corridor of the building, called Broadway. From the window you can see the territory reserved for the walks of prisoners.

Legends and ghosts

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

In itself, the position of the island already causes some excitement and awe - a piece of land torn off from the mainland is washed on all sides by stormy streams of water. It is located at a distance of 2.5 km from the nearest shore. But the area of ​​\u200b\u200bAlcatraz is quite small - about 9 hectares. Because of this isolation, many tourists are visited by disturbing 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 with ghosts. At one time, she was part of the correctional corps, where the instigators of unrest were thrown for correction. This is a gloomy, dark and damp room, the presence in which will tickle the nerves of even the most inveterate cynics.

Night excursions

Nowadays, the island has been transformed from a dull and inhospitable territory into a great area for walking thanks to the masters of landscape design. Positive smiling people work here, and noisy tourists crowd in the corridors of the prison. All this does not allow us to forget that now it is just a museum. However, in order to maintain the image mystical place night excursions are organized for especially courageous 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 want to see this famous prison, feel its atmosphere, visit the premises where gangsters and other dangerous criminals roamed until recently. And the most impressionable, perhaps, will even be able to get acquainted with one of the mysterious ghosts.

Alcatraz (Alcatraz) on geographical map peace - 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, long-range guns were installed, 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 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 direction. 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 on initial stage adhered to a policy of silence in his work. 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 the sleeping place of 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 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 made in 1962 was nevertheless successful, and the prisoners were free. 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. Besides, salty water Gradually destroyed the buildings, because of which the prison needed repairs in the amount of 3-5 million dollars.

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 went to National zone recreation "Golden Gate" 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.

The escape plan had been in preparation for months, carefully thought out, perfect. A typical evening on June 11, 1962. Everything seemed ordinary. However, things were different for the three prisoners. Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin decide to do the impossible - to escape from the most secure prison in the United States of America.
This prison-fortress rises in San Francisco Bay, two kilometers from the Western American metropolis. She instilled fear in even the toughest criminals. Who violated public order- went to jail, who violated the rules of the prison - went to Alcatraz. Her nickname is "The Rock". Here sat the king of the underworld, Al Capone. This is the most famous prison in the world. Shall we take a look inside?

Today, more than 50 years later, all the details of the legendary escape are known. The main question remained open: were the three prisoners really able to get to land that night? However, let's talk about everything in order.
In the 60s, the Alcatraz prison (eng. Alcatraz) in the criminal world is considered the last refuge. This maximum security prison was created in order to collect all “ rotten eggs” in one basket.

Frank Lee Morris and his two accomplices John and Clarence Anglin are career criminals and true escape artists. From the very first days of their stay in the "Rock" they began to look for options and think over an unthinkable escape plan.

The main obstacle to freedom was, of course, the freezing water in San Francisco Bay. The strong current made the situation even worse. The distance from the island to the California metropolis is one and a half miles (2.4 kilometers).

In addition, it was necessary to get out of the main building of the prison, unnoticed to overcome the fence with barbed wire. But first, we had to get out of the cells.

At first glance, the task was unsolvable. Inside, there were three prisoners for one guard. Constant and round-the-clock rounds made the task extremely difficult. Undermining is impossible, exit through the bars - too. However, Frank Morris (with a high IQ) and his accomplices found a way out.
Upon discovering that the concrete walls of the main building old building were no longer so strong, they decided to make their way through the opening of the ventilation grills, measuring 13 by 24 cm. In order to widen the opening, the escapers worked diligently at night with sharpened spoons. To hide traces night work, they made models of lattices that were attached to the wall. In addition, stacks of magazines, an accordion and other overall things were used.

So that the escape was not noticed until the morning, the prisoners created stuffed animals from papier-mâché. Hair was taken out of the barbershop, paints could be obtained for painting.

Behind the back wall of the chambers there is a technical tract-mine, where the pipes go.

On the night of the escape, the prisoners went up to the top floor of the building along it. There, through the ventilation hatch, which was opened with a homemade drill, they got to the roof.

They went down the drain pipes.

For several months, the future fugitives worked on life jackets and an inflatable raft. They made them from rain jackets and glue. They managed to obtain all the tools and materials thanks to contacts with prisoners in the kitchen, workshops, etc.

Everything went perfectly and according to plan. Apart from the fact that initially four were going to escape, but one of the prisoners (Eyler West) could not get out of the cell in time. Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin, once at the shore, inflated the raft with a converted accordion and sailed away.

No one has ever seen them again, they are considered missing. It was not possible to catch or locate the bodies. Today, half a century later, they continue to search. In 1997, the FBI turned the Yues case over to marshals. They are in the United States looking for escaped criminals and returning more than 100 thousand people to prisons every year.
Did the prisoners make it across San Francisco Bay? We found one oar, two life jackets and a rubber bag with photos, but where is the raft? The bodies were not found. If they managed to get to the ground, why didn't professional criminals take up the old case? These and many other questions are still open.

Less than 12 months after this (successful) escape, the federal prison was closed.

There were other attempts to escape, but they were all unsuccessful and ended in failure.

A few words about prison everyday life.

The main principle in working with prisoners was depersonalization. Everyone became equal, whether it was a bank robber, a murderer, the most prominent representative of organized crime in the United States, Al Capone, or the famous American gangster George Kelly Barnes (“Kelly Machine Gun”, eng. “Machine Gun”). It was not a penal colony. The main thing was not resocialization, but spiritual undermining.

Occasional noise reaching the island big city and stunning views of San Francisco put even more pressure on the prisoners. Everyone dreamed of escaping. There were cases of riots and hostage-taking - prison guards.

You could shave once a week, cut your hair once a month.

In the dining room, they usually gave the same thing, namely pasta.

In the gift shop you can now buy mugs that are similar in shape and type to the original.

There were rooms where prisoners worked.

There was a library.

It was possible to play a musical instrument one day a week.

Paint.

Even knitting...

The prisoners played chess/checkers. Talking with cellmates, they made moves.

With distant cameras it was possible to talk through the “toilet” connection. When the water drained from both negotiators, the pipe was free for some time.

Those who violated the order were subject to a number of special measures. One mention of block "D" terrified and feared the prisoners.

There were long-term detention cells. You can go for a walk once a week.

As well as the so-called "holes". Like punishment cells - a prison in a prison.

There was practically no light in the “holes”, there was no heating. The prisoners were kept there for a long time. In order not to go crazy, one of the prisoners (according to his stories) tore off a button, tossed it up, made several turns, and in the dark blindly began to look for it on the floor with his hands. And so again and again, until he washed his hands and could not feel them. In one of the special cells there was no light at all and prisoners were placed there only in their underwear.

There were also extra-long isolation chambers. Prisoners ( serial killers etc.) sat in such solitary confinement for years and did not have a “way out into the world”.

Meeting room.

In the premises of the guards and the administration of the prison.

More photos from the buildings.

In a nutshell about what was on the island before the maximum security prison, built in 1933. There was originally a lighthouse on the island. During the gold rush in the mid-nineteenth century, San Francisco Bay was filled with ships. There was a need to protect the bay, so a fort was built here with more than a hundred guns.

Later, a military prison was established on the island.
The maximum security federal prison was closed in 1963. In the late 60s, the Indians occupied the island, according to the law on the possibility of their free resettlement.

Later, everyone was dispersed.

Since 1971, Alcatraz has been a museum complex, it has been opened to tourists.

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 it was taken over by the Department 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 a cruise company that 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 assignment to 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.

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 strategically suitable 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, 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 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 unofficial 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, such an 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.

The following facts speak in favor of the official version. The water temperature in the bay was about 10 degrees, after about 20 minutes the cold began to act on the body. The temperature of the water in the showers of Alcatraz was moderately hot so that the bodies of the prisoners would not get used to 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.

July 7, 1962 Norwegian cargo Ship The SS Norefjell was leaving Pier 38 when the ship spotted a body 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, they said to the fourth participant in the escape, and to north side 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 to row downstream towards Cape Marin, which is about north tower 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.

Just 2.5 km from San Francisco is the famous landmark of America - the famous Alcatraz prison, known to everyone from many films, TV shows and games. Skala Prison, sometimes referred to as this, is located on a small rocky island in the middle of the bay (San Francisco Bay). The island where Alcatraz is located belongs to the State of California and belongs to national park"Golden Gate". Throughout its history, the territory of the island has been used as a fort, prison, and Lately- a 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 time of the Gold Rush in California in 1848. In just three years, the population of San Francisco increased from 500 to 35,000 people. Thousands of ships stayed 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 the island of Alcatraz, which was the first in the entire western part of the United States. But after 56 years it was dismantled. Instead, a new lighthouse was built in 1909. After 54 years, the lighthouse was modernized, which made it capable of operating automatically, without requiring round-the-clock maintenance.

Alcatraz in 1895

Fort

The harbor area of ​​the California coast was not sufficiently protected from outside invasion. Therefore, there was a need to protect the bay. In 1850, US President Millard Fillmore commissioned the construction of a defensive fort on Alcatraz Island. In December 1859, the 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 cannonballs, 1868

military prison

Starting from 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 ice water and had strong sea ​​currents. That created a powerful isolation from the outside world. Therefore, it was an ideal place for keeping 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 strictness and was considered the first army prison with long term stay. Disciplinary measures in prison could be in the form heavy work, constant wearing of a heavy chain, moving to a special solitary punishment cell, which was considered the most severe punishment. The isolation room was practically without light, except for the slots through which food was served, in fact it was bread and water. The temperature in the room was quite cold, but the blanket was only given out for the night. Any kind of contact was prohibited. Therefore, staying in such a room seemed to be eternal, and some could not stand it and went crazy.

POWs at Alcatraz, 1902

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

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

High Security Federal Penitentiary

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the United States experienced the Great Depression, accompanied by riots and organized crime. For the sphere of influence, a war was waged between various mafia families and gangs. And, as a rule, ordinary citizens and policemen 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 the Alcatraz prison in 1934. However, they completely rebuilt the buildings on the island. So the wooden bars and bars were replaced with steel ones. Electricity was provided in each cell. All unnecessary tunnels were walled up. Armory rooms for guards were built in the prison building. The most popular place, namely the prison cafeteria, was equipped with special tanks of tear gas. After all, it was in this room that fights and various disassemblies often arose. Almost all doors had electric sensors. The best security specialists (Robert Burge, and others) were connected to the project. And also appointed was James A. Johnston, known as the "Chief of the Golden Rule." He was distinguished by his strict principles and reformist approach to prisoners. Thus, Alcatraz prison became a nightmare for the entire underworld and became the reason for various rumors and myths.

Prison cells at Alcatraz

Prisoners of Alcatraz and escape attempts

The most violent prisoners from other prisons were transferred to Alcatraz. You couldn't get in directly. Only for some gangsters did they make exceptions, among which were: Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.

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

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

Alcatraz Prison Escape Attempts

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

Closing of the Alcatraz prison

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

Tour of Alcatraz video

While walking Vietnam War and the rapid growth of the hippie movement began, a couple of Indian tribes moved to live on the island of Alcatraz. Under the free movement law, they were allowed to do this, but by a court order in 1971 they were forced to leave Alcatraz. At the same time, leaving behind a lot of destruction and debris. Many buildings were damaged due to frequent fires, and most of the walls were painted, the inscriptions, which have remained to this day.

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