ON THE ISLAND

Alcatraz held roughly 1,576 prisoners from 1934-1963, with an average population of 260-270. Its maximum capacity of 336 was never reached. Many of the prison staff lived on the island with their families.

CELL HOUSE: A three-story cell house with four cell blocks (A, B, C, D). Black inmates were segregated from the rest of the population due to the prevalence of racial prejudice and physical abuse among prisoners. D Block housed the worst inmates in solitary confinement.

LIGHTHOUSE: The original Alcatraz lighthouse, constructed in 1854, was the first one built on the West Coast. It was replaced by a taller, 95-foot structure in 1909.

RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS: Prison staff members, including the warden and other top administrators, correctional officers, medical providers and clerks, resided with their families on the island.

GUARD TOWER: This was the last line of defense for guards to secure the island. If the men on duty saw or heard anything unusual, they would sound an alarm that could be heard over the whole island. Long hours in the tower meant that it had to be equipped with all the necessary facilities.

INSIDE THE PRISON

The prison building was built between 1910 and 1912, when Alcatraz was a military facility. When the disciplinary barracks were transferred from military control to the Bureau of Prisons in 1933, the building was renovated into a cell house with four cell blocks and reinforced cell bars to prevent escapes at a cost of $260,000. There were 336 cells in B and C blocks.

THE GREAT ESCAPE

In 1962, three inmates managed to break out of Alcatraz. However, no evidence of their survival was ever confirmed. Here’s how they did it:

1 The three men carved an opening in the wall of their cell with metal spoons. On the night of their escape, masks made of papier-mache and human hair were placed on their pillows to make it look like they were asleep in bed.

2 The three crawled through the opening and made their way along a corridor behind the walls and climbed out a ventilator on the roof.

3 They slid down the bakery smokestack at the rear of the cell house.

4 They climbed over a fence and dashed to the northeastern shore of the island, where they launched a raft made of 50 stolen raincoats

THE CELL

Cells had a small sink with cold running water, a small sleeping cot and a toilet. Most men could extend their arms and touch each wall within their cell.

‘THE HOLE’

The worst cells for confinement as a punishment for inmates who stepped out of line were at the end of D Block in cells 9-14, known as The Hole. Inmates held here were limited to one 10-minute shower and an hour of exercise in the yard a week. The Hole cells were the same size as all other cells except they were totally enclosed, pitch-dark dungeons with slimy walls and were crawling with rats.

LIFE IN THE PRISON

Prisoners arrived on Alcatraz in handcuffs and ankle shackles. Daily life was harsh, and prisoners were given only four rights: medical attention, shelter, food and clothing. Recreational activities and family visits had to be earned through hard work.

6:30 a.m.: Morning whistle. Prisoners rise, dress and organize their cells.

6:45: Guards take position at mess hall and supervise prisoners.

6:50: Second morning whistle. Prisoners stand by doors. Guards take count and unlock cell doors.

6:55: Whistle signal is given and prisoners step out of their cells.

7: Third whistle signal. Prisoners proceed to mess hall and have 20 minutes to eat.

7:20: Prisoners proceed to recreation yard, inside detail or their work cells.

7:25: Guards count prisoners.

7:30: Shop foreman counts his detail, signs count slip and reports it to lieutenant.

9:30: Rest period

9:38: Whistle signal is given and prisoners assemble for count. Count is reported and men return to work.

11:30: Prisoners assemble and count is taken, registered and reported to lieutenant.

11:35: Prisoners assemble in line and proceed to mess hall.

11:40: Dinner Noon: Lockup and cell count.

12:20 p.m.: Unlock; prisoners report to yard or shop for work.

12:30: Prisoners are counted.

2:30: Rest period 4:15: Work ends and count is taken.

4:25: Prisoners report to mess hall.

4:45: Prisoners return to cells.

4:50: Final lockup 5, 8, 9:30 (lights out), 12:01 a.m., 3, 5: Prisoners are counted.

ALCATRAZ’S MOST NOTORIOUS PRISONERS

AL CAPONE

The gangster, known as Scarface, arrived at Alcatraz in August 1934 as part of the prison’s freshman class and took on the name Prisoner 85. During his four years at Alcatraz, he was treated like any other prisoner. He did chores, was an avid reader and played stringed instruments in the prison band.

MACHINE GUN KELLY

George “Machine Gun” Kelly was a small-time bootlegger before gaining the title of Public Enemy No. 1 with an increased number of robberies and kidnappings. Arriving at Alcatraz on Sept. 4, 1934, Kelly was a model inmate, despite boasting about murders and robberies he never committed. He did chores, held an administrative role and served as an altar boy.

THE BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ

Robert Stroud got his nickname in Leavenworth prison when he found a nest of wounded sparrows and nursed them back to health. After convicted of murder, he arrived to Alcatraz in May 1942. He was one of the most violent inmates to ever stay at Alcatraz. He spent a lot of time in segregation.