The Escape From Alcatraz

“Alcatraz, America’s most infamous maximum security prison was designed to be escape proof. But on a clear, cool night in the summer of 1962 three prisoners did make it off the island and then vanished without trace” (Discovery Communications). It is still a mystery today if the prisoners survived. For the prisoners to escape they had to use all the materials they could get their hands on. They used simple, everyday items to develop a brilliant plan to break out. Alcatraz, a famous American prison seemed to be completely escape proof until four American criminals each with a history of escapes tried to break out.

In 1850, the United States government issued a presidential order for the island called Alcatraz to possibly become a base for the U.S. army. Although the base was fortified with over one hundred cannons making it the most heavily armed base on the West Coast, it never fired its weapons in battle. Eventually Alcatraz was being used to hold prisoners instead of protecting the West Coast. By 1909 the fortress was torn down leaving only the foundation for a prison to be built. The prisoners themselves built the prison from 1909-1911. This prison, now called Alcatraz, was later nicknamed “The Rock” (“BOP: Alcatraz”). When Alcatraz was given over to the Federal Bureau of Prisons it was fitted with tough iron bars and guard towers placed all over the island (“FBI-A Byte Out of History. Escape from Alcatraz”).

A prisoner would be sent to the Rock if they didn’t follow the rules at other prisons or if they had a history of escape attempts. The regulations and structure of Alcatraz were made to teach an inmate how to follow rules. When an inmate no longer posed a threat, he was sent back to a regular penitentiary. Inmates spent an average of five years at Alcatraz. The living conditions at Alcatraz weren’t that bad compared to other prisons. Inmates even requested a transfer to Alcatraz because of the conditions such as one man to a cell and the ability to earn privileges. The inmates had four basic rights which were: food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Following rules and regulations could earn a prisoner privileges such as: working, family visits, access to the prison library, and recreational activities. The prisoners could engage in painting, music and other activities during recreation time (“BOP: Alcatraz”).