Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary facts for kids
The prison sits atop Alcatraz Island, 2013
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| Location | San Francisco Bay, California, U.S. |
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| Coordinates | 37°49′36″N 122°25′23″W / 37.82667°N 122.42306°W |
| Status | Closed (now a museum) |
| Security class | Maximum |
| Capacity | 336 |
| Opened | August 11, 1934 |
| Closed | March 21, 1963 |
| Managed by | Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice |
| Director |
Edwin B. Swope (1948–1955) Paul J. Madigan (1955–1961) Olin G. Blackwell (1961–1963) |
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, often called "The Rock," was a famous maximum-security prison located on Alcatraz Island, about 1.25 miles (2.01 km) off the coast of San Francisco, California, USA. It was designed to hold prisoners who had caused a lot of trouble in other federal prisons, making it a "last resort" for those who needed the highest level of security.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was known for being incredibly difficult to escape from due to its strong security and the cold, powerful currents of San Francisco Bay. Today, it's a popular museum and a major tourist attraction.
Contents
A Brief History of "The Rock"
Alcatraz Island has a long history. It started as a fort in the 1850s and was used as a military prison during the Civil War. The main prison building you see today was actually built between 1910 and 1912 as a U.S. Army military prison.
In 1933, the United States Department of Justice took over the island. After some big upgrades to make it even more secure, it officially opened as a federal prison in August 1934. The goal was to create a prison that was truly "escape-proof" to help deal with a rise in crime during that time.
For nearly 30 years, Alcatraz housed many prisoners. The prison cells were small, about 9 feet by 5 feet, and 7 feet high. They were pretty basic, with just a bed, a desk, a washbasin, and a toilet. There wasn't much privacy, and the toilets used saltwater, which could sometimes smell!
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary closed its doors on March 21, 1963. It was very expensive to run, costing much more than other prisons, and the buildings were starting to wear down from the salty air. After its closure, the island had another interesting chapter: from 1969 to 1971, Native Americans occupied the island to protest for their rights.
Today, Alcatraz Island is part of the National Park Service and is a fascinating public museum. About 1.5 million visitors come each year to explore the old prison, learn about its history, and hear stories from former prisoners and guards. The buildings are being restored and maintained so that future generations can learn about this unique place.
Daily Life and Rules
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Life at Alcatraz was very strict. Prisoners had to follow many rules and a precise daily schedule.
Prisoners were woken up at 6:30 a.m. Breakfast was at 6:55 a.m., lunch at 11:20 a.m., and dinner at 4:25 p.m. In the dining hall, everyone, including guards, ate together. Forks, spoons, and knives were carefully counted after every meal to make sure none were missing. In the early years, prisoners weren't allowed to talk during meals, but this rule was later relaxed.
Many prisoners had jobs in workshops, like sewing army uniforms, making cargo nets, or doing laundry and maintenance. Working was considered a privilege, and prisoners earned a small wage that went into a special account for them.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, prisoners could go out to the Recreation Yard for up to 5 hours. They could play sports like baseball or softball, and also play intellectual games like chess. This was one of the few times they could talk more freely with each other.
Alcatraz had a library with 10,000 to 15,000 books. Prisoners could borrow up to three books, plus textbooks, a Bible, and a dictionary. Magazines were allowed, but any parts about crime or violence were removed.
Prisoners were locked in their cells for the night at 4:50 p.m., and lights went off at 9:30 p.m.
The Cells and Corridors
The prison had four main cell blocks: A-block, B-block, C-block, and D-block. The corridors had interesting names, like "Broadway" (the main hallway) and "Michigan Avenue."
- A-Block: This block was never modernized and was mostly used for storage later on.
- B-Block: Most new prisoners started here for their first three months, in a "quarantine status" where they couldn't have visitors.
- D-Block: This block was for prisoners who had more serious behavioral problems. It included "The Hole," which were very strict isolation cells with minimal furnishings, sometimes just a hole in the floor for a toilet. Prisoners sent here had very limited privileges, like only one 10-minute shower and an hour of exercise per week.
Alcatraz's Security
Alcatraz was famous for its incredible security. The Bureau of Prisons made many changes to make it "escape-proof":
- Guard Towers: Four guard towers were built at key locations around the island.
- Reinforced Cells: Cells were rebuilt with "tool-proof steel" and special locking devices controlled from a central point.
- Metal Detectors: Electromagnetic metal detectors were placed at the entrances to the dining hall and workshops.
- Gun Galleries: Guards with machine guns patrolled corridors from special gun galleries.
- Frequent Counts: Prisoners were counted 13 times every day!
- High Fences: The recreation yard and other areas had 25-foot fences topped with barbed wire.
- No Talking Rule: In the early years, a strict "code of silence" was enforced to prevent prisoners from planning anything.
The Daring Escape Attempts
Despite its reputation, many prisoners tried to escape from Alcatraz. Over its 29 years, 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts. The prison officially claimed that no one ever successfully escaped.
- The Battle of Alcatraz (1946): This was the most violent escape attempt. Six prisoners tried to take control of the cellhouse, hoping to get to a boat. They held guards hostage, and a battle broke out involving U.S. Marines. Three prisoners were killed, and two guards also died. The remaining prisoners involved were tried, and some received further sentences.
- The "Escape from Alcatraz" (1962): This is perhaps the most famous attempt, involving Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin. They spent months carefully planning, using improvised tools to chip away at the salt-damaged concrete around air vents in their cells. They made papier-mâché dummies with real hair to fool guards during counts and built an inflatable raft from over 50 stolen raincoats. They escaped through a vent in the roof and vanished into the bay. The FBI investigated for years, but no one knows for sure if they survived. The U.S. Marshals Service still has their case open today! Some circumstantial evidence found in the 2010s, including a photo and a raft found on a nearby island, has led some to believe they might have made it to Brazil.
Other Important Buildings on the Island
Beyond the main cellhouse, Alcatraz Island had other important structures:
- Warden's House: This was a luxurious 15-room mansion where the prison wardens lived. It was a stark contrast to the prison next door! Sadly, it was burned down during the Native American occupation in 1970 and is now a ruin.
- Building 64: The first residential building on the island, built in 1905 for military officers and their families.
- Social Hall (Officers' Club): A place for prison staff and their families to relax, with a bar, library, and even a bowling alley. It also burned down in 1970.
- Power House: Built in 1939, this building supplied electricity to the entire island.
- Water Tower: Since Alcatraz had no fresh water, it had to be brought in by boat. This tall water tower, built in 1940-41, stored 250,000 gallons of fresh water for drinking, firefighting, and laundry.
- Model Industries Building & New Industries Building: These buildings housed workshops where prisoners worked, making items like army uniforms and furniture.
Images for kids
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"Broadway"
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'A Block'
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C-Block
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An exterior view looking towards the end of D-Block, the dining hall and kitchen are on the left
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D-Block
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Inmates in the dining hall
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Recreation Yard
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The Warden's House and lighthouse
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The ruined Social Hall of Alcatraz
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The water tower in 2008, visibly rusting
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Inmates working in the sewing room
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A boat bypassing the watchtower at Alcatraz Island (June 2016)
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See also
In Spanish: Prisión Federal de Alcatraz para niños
- ADX Florence – nicknamed "Alcatraz of the Rockies"
- Louisiana State Penitentiary – nicknamed "Alcatraz of the South"
