| In the middle of San Francisco bay,
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| | island began to take on a new role, that
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| framed by some of the most beautiful and
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| | of military prison. Eleven enlisted men
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| majestic views in the country lies
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| | were incarcerated in the guardhouse
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| Alcatraz Island. A federal penitentiary
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| | basement in 1859, and slowly deserters,
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| is not usually included on the list of
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| | thieves, and other military criminals
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| one's vacation plans, however the history
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| | were sent there from the San Franciscan
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| and beauty of this island warrant an
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| | forts. Finally in 1861 Alcatraz was named
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| exception. From 1934 to 1963 a number of
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| | the official prison for the Department of
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| the most feared criminals in the American
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| | the Pacific. The island served this role
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| penal system called "the rock" home.
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| | until 1933 when the cost of importing
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| Famous for the stark contrast between its
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| | supplies led the Army to leave, sending
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| stunningly serene surroundings and the
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| | prisoners to Kansas and New Jersey.
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| harshness of life and character inside
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| | At this point crime in America had become
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| its walls, Alcatraz has found its way
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| | an increasing problem, fed largely by the
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| into American lore.
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| | troubles associated with prohibition. A
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| Originally named "Isla de los
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| | new prison was sought that could take the
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| Alcatraces", or "Island of the Pelicans"
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| | worst of the country's criminals, and
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| it was later changed and shortened to
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| | seclude them from the public. While land
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| Alcatraz. Today looking out from the
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| | in Alaska was originally considered, the
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| island visitors see a picturesque view
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| | Army's recent departure from Alcatraz
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| from the Golden Gate Bridge, and downtown
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| | cemented the island as the choice for
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| San Francisco, to the Bay Bridge, and
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| | America's new "super-prison". The
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| Treasure Island. One can for a moment
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| | facility was to take in the most
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| imagine this location as the setting of a
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| | troublesome of inmates from other prisons
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| luxurious resort. Turning from the views
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| | around the nation.
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| outside the island to its interior
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| | In 1934, Al Capone, perhaps the
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| contents however, quickly brings back the
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| | penitentiary's most infamous prisoner,
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| notion that this island was the scene of
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| | arrived as one of the first official
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| a less comfortable history.
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| | transfers. His arrival generated enormous
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| Most famous for its role as a prison,
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| | interest, and sparked more headlines then
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| Alcatraz was initially a military base.
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| | the opening of the prison itself.
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| When gold was discovered in California in
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| | Previously while imprisoned in Atlanta,
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| 1848 San Francisco's population jumped
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| | Capone had been able to achieve a
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| from 300 to 30,000 in a matter of years.
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| | lifestyle within the jail that was
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| With this new influx of population and
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| | unheard of for other prisoners. A
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| wealth there was a need for the United
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| | carpeted cell and a radio were among the
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| States government to protect the area
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| | niceties he was able to procure through
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| from other nations. In 1850 when
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| | bribes and other methods. He was even
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| California became a state, a triangle of
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| | able to continue to manage his
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| fortifications was planned to protect San
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| | organization through relatives who
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| Francisco Bay. Upon its completion in
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| | established themselves in a nearby hotel.
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| 1853 Fortress Alcatraz took on the lead
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| | For this reason he was put on a secure
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| role as the most powerful coastal defense
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| | prison railroad car without notice, and
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| on the western coast. The landscape of
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| | shipped to Alcaztraz in the hopes that
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| the island was incorporated into the
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| | the lack of outside contact would be the
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| design, and high walls were built on the
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| | government's answer to the Capone
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| rocky isle, leaving the dock as the only
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| | problem. On the rock Capone was never
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| access to the fort.
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| | able to manipulate the warden or guards,
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| Alcatraz was never called upon to defend
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| | and was confined to menial duties along
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| the bay, however a number of small
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| | with the rest of the prison population.
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| incidents during the Civil War brought
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| | Staying only 4 ½ years due to health
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| the island into the spot light. As its
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| | complications Capone left for FCI
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| use as a defensive fortress lessoned, the
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| | Terminal Island in 1939.
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