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