The Real Truth on What Being Locked Up At Alcatraz Was Like

What was a day in Alcatraz like? Was it as tough as its reputation? Did it break hardened convicts such as Al Capone? Find out just how tough it was to be in Alcatraz in this video!

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Here’s what being a prisoner in Alcatraz was like! Find out why it ended up closing!
Alcatraz Beginnings
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary or The Rock, was a maximum-security federal prison on Alcatraz Island located roughly one and a quarter miles off the coast of San Francisco. The prison operated from August 1934 all the way until March 1963. That’s almost 60 years ago! But why are people still fascinated with this prison despite being shut down for many years? It’s because of its reputation of supposedly being an escape proof prison! Given its high security and the island's location in the cold waters and strong currents of San Francisco Bay, it was believed that Alcatraz was America’s strongest prison at the time. Alcatraz had been the site of a fort since the 1850s; the main prison building was built in 1910–1912 as an Army military prison. The island became a federal prison in 1934 after the old buildings on the island were modernized and security increased. Alcatraz was home to some of America's most ruthless, such as Al Capone, George "Machine Bun" Kelly, Mickey Cohen, White Bulger, and Alvin "Creepy" Karpis, who served more time at Alcatraz than any other inmate!
Alcatraz Prisoners
Alcatraz wasn’t for just any normal prisoner. It was used to hold prisoners who continuously caused trouble at other federal prisons. The convicts housed in Alcatraz weren’t necessarily prisoners who had committed the worst crimes. They were the convicts most in need of a so-called “attitude adjustment”. These were the guys with the worst behavior at other prisons, such as guys that bribed guards or guys that attempted escapes. A trip to Alcatraz was intended to get them to follow the rules so that they could eventually return to other federal prisons. On average, an inmate would spend about eight years at Alcatraz. There were only two men ever paroled directly from Alcatraz into the free world. Most of the prisoners would be taken back to other federal prisons. According to past correctional officers, once a convict arrived on Alcatraz, his first thoughts were on how to leave! A total of 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts, with two men trying TWICE! Everyone that’s tried to escape has been accounted for except for five men. They’re still listed as missing or presumed drowned!
Alcatraz cellhouse
Alcatraz consisted of several big facilities on the island. The main cellhouse was built incorporating some parts of Fort Alcatraz's citadel. A new cellhouse was built from 1910–1912 on a budget of $250,000 thousand dollars a hefty amount at the time. The 500 foot long concrete building was reputedly the longest concrete building in the world at the time. This building became the main cellhouse of the prison until its closure in 1963.
Alcatraz corridors
Alcatraz cellhouse had a corridor naming system based on major American streets and landmarks. Michigan Avenue was the corridor to the side of A-Block, and Broadway was the central corridor where inmates would assemble. Times Square was an area that was just before inmates would enter the dining hall for their meals. Broadway separated Block-B and Block-C and prisoners kept along this corridor had the least privacy in the prison. The corridor between Block-C and the library was called Park Avenue. The corridor in D-Block was named Sunset Strip. And nope, none of the prison was as glamorous as these names!