The United States Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island, opened in August 1934 and closed in March 1963. In 29 years it held roughly 1,545 men — never more than about 275 at a time — and became the most recognisable prison in the world.
Why the federal government chose Alcatraz
The early 1930s brought a national panic about organised crime and a federal desire to demonstrate control. The Bureau of Prisons wanted a facility for inmates who caused trouble elsewhere: escape risks, gang leaders, and men whose notoriety made ordinary prisons unmanageable. The Army's existing island prison, already isolated by cold water and strong currents, was transferred and hardened for the purpose.
How the penitentiary was built
- 336 main cells in B and C blocks, each about 5 by 9 feet.
- D Block for segregation, including the closed-front "strip cells".
- Tool-proof steel bars replacing the softer military-era ironwork.
- Gun galleries overlooking the cell blocks.
- A guard-to-inmate ratio far higher than typical prisons of the era.
Daily routine
Life ran on a rigid schedule: counts, work assignments, meals in the dining hall — nicknamed the Gas Chamber for the tear-gas canisters mounted in the ceiling — and lock-up. Early years operated under a near-total silence rule that was later relaxed. Inmates earned privileges such as work, visits, library access and time in the recreation yard; the yard, with its clear view of San Francisco, was the psychological centrepiece of the place.
Notable inmates
| Inmate | Known for |
|---|---|
| Al Capone | Chicago crime boss; transferred 1934, left 1939 |
| George "Machine Gun" Kelly | Kidnapping conviction; long Alcatraz term |
| Robert Stroud | The "Birdman"; kept no birds on Alcatraz |
| Alvin Karpis | Longest-serving Alcatraz inmate, over 25 years |
| Frank Morris | Central figure in the 1962 escape |
More on the men held here: famous Alcatraz prisoners.
Escape attempts
Official records list 14 escape attempts involving 36 men. Most were caught or killed; a small number remain unaccounted for. The 1946 "Battle of Alcatraz" turned into a two-day siege involving the Marines. The 1962 attempt by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers is the one that made the movies — see Frank Morris and the Alcatraz escape.
Why Alcatraz closed
- Cost. Everything, including fresh water, arrived by boat, making Alcatraz several times more expensive per inmate than mainland prisons.
- Decay. Salt air had eaten into the concrete and plumbing; the estimated repair bill was enormous.
- Policy shift. Federal corrections was moving toward rehabilitation-oriented facilities.
- Reputation. The 1962 escape sharpened questions about whether the prison worked as advertised.
The last 27 inmates left on 21 March 1963. Detail on the closure and the aftermath is on why Alcatraz prison closed.
What survives today
The cellhouse, D Block, the dining hall, the recreation yard and the utility corridor used in the 1962 escape are all on the visitor route. Standing in a 5-by-9 cell with the city visible through a window slot is the part of the tour people remember. Plan the visit on Alcatraz tickets and visiting Alcatraz.
Frequently asked questions
What was Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary?
A maximum-security federal prison operating on Alcatraz Island from 1934 to 1963, used mainly for inmates who had proved disruptive or escape-prone at other federal prisons.
How many prisoners were held at Alcatraz?
About 1,545 men over 29 years, with a population typically around 260 to 275 at any one time.
Did anyone escape from Alcatraz successfully?
No escape was ever officially confirmed as successful. Of 36 men in 14 attempts, five remain listed as missing and presumed drowned.
Why did Alcatraz close?
Primarily cost and deterioration. Operating an isolated island prison with salt-damaged infrastructure had become far more expensive than mainland alternatives.