federal referred maximum high security federal prison miles coast san_francisco california usa operated main prison building built time united_states_army military prison site citadel 1860s acquired october island prison august buildings modernized meet requirements notch security prison given high security location cold waters strong currents prison operators believed escape proof america strongest prison designed hold prisoners continuously caused trouble federal prisons world notorious best known prisons years housed america ruthless criminals including kelly served time provided housing staff families total prisoners escape attempts years prison existence notable violent escape attempt known battle arguably successful escape june intricate escapes devised faced high maintenance costs poor reputation closed march story included main blocks jail block warden office room library barber shop prison cells typically measured feet feet feet high cells primitive lacked privacy bed desk toilet wall blanket african americans segregated rest cell designation racial abuse prevalent housed worst inmates cells end designated hole badly prisoners sent periods punishment brutally dining hall kitchen lay main building extended prisoners staff eat meals day dining hall corridors prison named major american streets broadway michigan avenue working prison considered privilege inmates better inmates employed new industries building day actively involved providing military jobs performing maintenance laundry today public museum san_francisco major tourist attractions attracting million visitors annually prison operated national_park_service badly buildings prison subject restoration works recent times maintained history construction main originally location military citadel prison existed 1860s new built budget completion feet long concrete building longest concrete building world time building remained modernized main closed new concrete prison built materials reused construction iron interior door near barber shop end retained old citadel massive granite blocks originally gun mounts reused wharf bulkheads retaining walls old cell bars reinforce walls causing structural problems later fact placed near edge subject erosion salt air wind years use island years island came jurisdiction use purpose transfer punish involved rampant crime prevailed country 1920s 1930s acquired october island federal prison august conversion federal prison took place january appointed chief medical officer prison consultant january hospital facilities checked officials personnel arrived early february acting chief clerk april old material removed prison holes cut concrete cell fronts installed built steel ordered legend works shipment cells iron accidentally fell transportation recovered new built doors utility corridors cells april accidental small fire broke roof injured foot dropping cover fencing added emergency lighting operations added june new_york began installation electro magnetic gun metal detecting system added wharf entrance rear entrance gate officers instructed operate new locking devices july new radio equipment tested united_states_coast_guard day final checks assessments days august early history designed hold prisoners continuously caused trouble federal prisons resort prison hold worst worst criminals hope rehabilitation august batch prisoners arrived arriving railroad united states kansas california escorted high security coaches guarded fbi special agents railway security officials original military prison reported inmates prisoners notorious bank murderers inmates men washington august prisoners arrived north eastern pennsylvania september prisoner arrived jail seven virginia september batch prisoners arrived train prisoners continued arrive mainly atlanta june population prisoners prisoners transferred months earlier anniversary federal june observed establishment institution provided secure place detention difficult type criminal good effect discipline disturbance kind reported year metal initially caused problem turned failure amend problem contract terminated charged new supplied january severe storm caused landslide causing slide marked start series changes structures island built strengthened guard tower added roof june month barracks building new apartments single rooms time families living including women children problems industries building continuing utility problems old buildings systems led extensive updates including new tool proof roof cell house new boilers installed power house new pump salt water added million redevelopment swing including construction complete overhaul power house new diesel engine building new water tower solve water storage problem new apartment blocks officers improvements dock conversion block isolation cells changes completed july workshops highly productive making army uniforms cargo nets items high demand world war june reported federal nets notoriety gained notoriety inception toughest prison america considered world prison time prisoners frequently report acts brutality conditions severely tested prisoner commit suicide fingers grabbing axe begging hand writer described great garbage federal prison dumped rotten new attorney general attacked saying institution psychology builds sinister ambitious attitude prisoners reputation prison helped arrival america dangerous including spent years like complex raging murderer hazard reduced age entered prison system age left killed guard inmates spent years prison solitary confinement scientific inquiry took place myth goes ironically wasn allowed pursue science harbor birds timeless bird habitat somewhat reputation fact inmates named based prisoners reported living conditions better prisons country especially food volunteered come december murdered fellow running worked violently stabbing neck died hours later young sentenced murder involved escape attempt famous gangster shot death spent nearly months solitary confinement result later earned right work went trial brought young attorneys claimed held responsible murder endured cruel unusual punishment prior prison guards young convicted prison sentence extended years final years 1950s prison conditions improved prisoners gradually permitted privileges playing musical instruments watching movies weekends painting radio use strict code silence relaxed prisoners permitted talk quietly prison continued unpopular mainland 1950s far expensive prison institution united_states continued perceived america extreme jail annual report director called centralized institution replace report indicated times expensive run average prison prisoner day compared prisons problem exacerbated fact prison seriously deteriorated structurally exposure salt air wind need million deal major repairs began prison evaluated engineers lost cause submitted plans new maximum security institution illinois escape june prison subject heated investigations major structural problems ongoing expense prison finally closed march final report said institution served important purpose taking strain older greatly institutions atlanta enabled smaller closely guarded institution escape artists big time needed protection groups today museum san_francisco major tourist attractions attracting million visitors annually visitors arrive boat port given tour island given slide audio narration anecdotes inmates guards rangers atmosphere considered eerie chilling protected national_park_service national_register_of_historic_places badly buildings prison subject restoration works recent times maintained escape attempts according officers convict arrived wharf thoughts leave years operation claimed prisoner successfully escaped total prisoners escape attempts men trying twice caught shot killed escape drowned listed missing presumed drowned unsuccessful attempt escape prison april assigned duty burning trash tried escape duty hours scaling chain link fence edge island caught act refused orders officer located west road guard tower come shot seriously injured fall consequently died escape attempt reputation escape proof prison december work assignment workshops cut flat iron bars window climbed bay waters escape stormy day bay water highly turbulent found declared drowned prison authorities drowned bay bodies swept sea turbulent bay currents battle violent escape attempt occurred failed attempt prisoners led known carried prisoners took control cell house officers captured weapons room keys recreation yard door aim escape boat dock failed obtain keys outside door decided battle fight ensued managed hold officers hostage eventually killed days prompted thompson shot hostages close range guards succumbed injuries second guard killed thompson returned cells persisted fight marines intervened help officers killed prisoners battle apart guards prisoners killed guards prisoner injured thompson tried killing officers thompson sentenced death gas chamber carried december years age given second life sentence escape june carried intricate escapes devised prisoners cells cell block interned foot wide utility corridor prisoners away moisture damaged concrete air vent leading corridor tools metal silver electric drill improvised stolen vacuum cleaner motor noise disguised played music hour progress concealed false walls dark cells guards escape route led fan vent prisoners removed fan motor replacing steel leaving shaft large prisoner enter stealing cord prison workshop prisoners removed beds placed human hair stolen constructed weeks stolen prepared concealed guards sheets sides escaped vent roof departed official investigation fbi aided prisoner group left west false wall kept slipping held place cement set morris accelerated schedule west desperately away wall time got companions gone articles belonging prisoners including parts discovered nearby fbi investigation december finally treated closed official report escape concludes prisoners drowned cold waters bay trying reach mainland unlikely miles shore strong ocean currents cold sea water temperatures ranging degrees list morris wanted wanted posters man study ocean currents scientists research institute indicates craft leaving june likely landed north golden gate bridge indicate debris washed consistent actually found history channel documentary presented evidence gathered years brothers family including christmas cards allegedly sent brothers years escape featured interview family friend claimed met brothers rio_de_janeiro brazil support story offered photograph men resembling john taken said encounter facial recognition analyst examined photo asserted men likely film presented alternate escape theory involving use electrical cord reported missing prison dock tied passenger ferry left island midnight night men escape film escape depicts escape stars respectively played character changed film implied escape successful administration prison initially staff including warden associate warden cecil considered iron men staff trained rehabilitation highly trained security guards staff subject varying salaries new guard arriving december offered retirement taxes year amounting guards typically worked hour weeks hour shifts guards worked given increase guards overtime reported authorized warden officers generally pay cents meals charged rent apartment island include laundry service larger families charged month larger quarters charged additional laundry booklet revealed average prison population highest recorded lowest recorded main centre administration entrance prison included warden office office contained desk radio telegraph equipment telephone administrative office section offices associate warden secretary mail desk captain desk business office clerk office accounting office control room added modern technology officer lounge vault centre basement prison contained dungeons showers main dungeon lay dungeons accessible staircase corridor visits required prior written approval warden hospital originally installed time military prison late 19th century time federal located dining hall second floor hospital staff employees assigned doctors lasted fewer days months fact tolerate violent inmates failed given certain drugs prisoners ill health kept hospital famously spent years security taking federal january marked beginning series measures strengthen security prison cells escape proof maximum security prison improving living conditions operation maintenance staff officers apart prisoners modern technological innovations available time enhancing security comfort built buildings security guard towers built outside strategic locations cells rebuilt fitted tool proof steel cell fronts locking devices operated control boxes windows secure iron electromagnetic metal placed entrance dining hall workshops remote controlled tear gas appropriate locations remote controlled gun galleries machine gun armed guards installed patrol corridors improvements toilet electricity facilities old tunnels sealed concrete avoid hiding escape prisoners substantial changes improvements housing facilities guards captain live families quality relative rank attorney general director collaborated closely create legendary prison suited times resulted nicknamed uncle sam devil island despite designed house worst worst criminals caused problems prisons guidelines regulations set strict prison administrators courts direct prisoner directly sent notorious attempted escape prisons prisoners entering undergo vigorous research assessments prior arrival security prison tight constant checking bars doors locks electrical fixtures etc ensure security hadn broken standard day prisoners counted times ratio prisoners guards lowest american prison time door solid steel virtually impossible prisoners escape island guard towers demolished heavily guarded points day times security breached instance guard towers industry buildings ensure inmates didn attempt escape work day shifts recreation yard parts prison fence topped barbed wire inmates attempt escape exercise employee jail likened prison job zoo keeper old farm job fact prisoners educated treated like animals sending fields worked day counting feeding referred years life working prison total waste life corridors regularly patrolled guards passing gates heavily broadway block central corridor prison passed guards prison workers end minute meal dining hall knives laid table carefully counted ensure taken potential weapon earlier years prison prisoners forbidden talking eating later relaxed provided prisoners communicated quietly gun gallery situated recreation yard mounted dining hall exterior walls metal outside dining hall security purposes dining hall tear gas attached ceiling activated remote control prisoners riot attempt escape warden entered dining hall unarmed heavy guarding riots break dining hall history prisoners involved fighting hid dining hall tables escape possible gunfire prison life cells register reveals prisoners total held time figures reported varied stated prison cells designed outside wall typically measured feet feet feet high cells primitive bed desk toilet wall blanket air vent measuring inches inches covered metal lay cells led utility corridors prisoners privacy going toilet toilets strong salt water hot water installed early 1960s shortly closure established strict rules regulations title rules regulations government discipline institutions daily routine work counts followed prisoners guards copies provided prisoners read follow inmates basically entitled food clothing shelter medical attention seen privilege inmates given blue shirt grey pants blue white later years cotton long underwear blue wearing caps forbidden cells expected kept good order dangerous article found cells inmates money substances tools potential inflict injury assist escape attempt considered prisoners eligible disciplinary action compulsory prisoners cells times week attempting bribe assault prison officers seen offense african americans segregated rest cell designation racial abuse prevalent toilet paper matches soap issued cells saturdays inmates request hot water clean cells bars windows floors prison cleaned daily basis earlier years strict code silence 1950s relaxed talking permitted dining hall provided conversations quiet shouting loud talking singing prisoners sent breakfast returning cell inmates cell place waste basket outside work started shifts privileged punctuated whistle prisoners metal work shifts assigned job prisoners accept line work prisoners permitted money possessions earnings went prisoner prisoners assigned duties guards laundry shop model shop etc labor smoking privilege permitted workplace providing wasn hazardous condition inmates permitted smoke recreation yard work lunch served followed minute rest cell returning work dinner served prisoners retire cells locked night lights went locked night guards usually patrolled cell blocks prisoners compared duration hell preferred death continued located end block entering given library card catalog books found library inmates place orders putting slip card box entrance dining hall breakfast books delivered cell librarian library utilized closed stack system collection books mainly left army days inmates permitted maximum books addition text books bible dictionary permitted magazines crime related pages torn newspapers prohibited sex crime violence censored books magazines library governed chaplain regulated censorship nature reading material ensure material failure return books date given liable removal privileges average prisoner read books year evening inmates generally read books loaned library usually hour minutes allocated practicing musical instruments guitar prison band practiced dining room auditorium famously practiced shower block prisoners limited playing cells corridors corridor naming system named major american streets landmarks michigan avenue corridor broadway central corridor inmates assemble times square area clock wall entering dining hall meals broadway separated prisoners kept privacy prison corridor library called park avenue corridor named gun galleries lay end block including west east gun galleries block fact time federal inmates permanently held block modernized retained flat iron bars key locks spiral original military prison inmates held briefly block hearing transfer later years state mainly extra storage law library installed point place inmates type legal documents small barber shop located end block inmates monthly block majority new inmates assigned second tier block status months confinement permitted visitors minimum days inmates permitted visitor month anybody likely cause trouble registered criminals barred visiting letters received inmates checked prison staff secret messages fellow escaped june escape entering utility corridor block block gained notoriety treatment block worst inmates varying degrees punishment including isolation solitary strip prisoners usually spent days solitary prisoners held given meals cells permitted work shower twice week escape attempt arthur killed security block inhabited cell block solitary confinement years worst cells confinement punishment inmates stepped line located end block cells known hole cells devoid light colder rest prison prisoners sent regularly stripped beaten tortured forced sleep cold concrete floor wearing light underwear turn guards abused food thrown inmates held hole limited minute shower hour exercise yard week cells hole sink toilet worst cell nicknamed oriental strip cell final cell block hole floor toilet prisoners confined naked days guards controlled toilet cell floor led dungeon basement contained cells worst behaved inmates locked inside cells dungeon walls given diet bread water day regular meal days quantity duration varied relative extent punishment denied proper toilet facilities given bucket toilet emptied week stripped wall standing nights according prisoners solitary confinement placed starvation diet stand hours day hands tied feet barely touching floor completing punishment hole prisoner return cell tagged red tag grade denoted prisoner restricted leaving cell months second grade prisoners receive letters days remained behaved restored prison privileges size approximately regular feet feet feet high touch ceiling stretching arm stripped nude pushed cell guards clothes grains tobacco fallen pockets soap tobacco smell describe word like stepping sewer searched clothing throw blankets evening shoes bed damp walls blankets walls painted black day got bread error days got got meal days bread entire thirteen days got meals seen man bath solitary confinement time man bucket cold water thrown young experiences hole trial dining dining hall referred mess hall dining hall prisoners staff ate meals long wing west end situated center island connected block corridor known times square passes beneath large clock approaching entrance way dining hall wing includes dining hall kitchen second floor hospital auditorium movies screened inmates weekends dining hall protocol scripted process including whistle system indicate block tier men hall given time sat place hands start eating prisoners awakened sent breakfast breakfast menu preserved hallway board dated march breakfast menu included dry steamed wheat egg milk fruit bread butter lunch served dining hall followed minute rest cell returning work dinner served prisoners retire cells locked night inmates permitted eat liked minutes provided left waste waste reported prisoner subject removal privileges habit dining table benches held men smaller tables chairs later replaced seated prison population including guards officials seating people food served reportedly best united_states prison system recreation recreation yard yard inmates prison located opposite dining hall south end block facing mainland raised level surrounded high wall fence lay west yard gun gallery situated yard mounted dining hall exterior walls previously dirt covered yard paved yard violent escape attempt group inmates hatched plot obtain key recreation yard kill tower guards hostages use shields reach dock inmates permitted yard saturdays sundays holidays maximum hours inmates worked seven days week kitchen rewarded short yard breaks badly behaved prisoners liable having yard access rights taken away weekends prisoners permitted play games baseball sports times intellectual games chess small size yard diamond end section wall base impact inmates inmates provided gloves bats balls sport uniforms amateur teams seals named clubs league teams named major_league clubs cardinals cubs giants tigers inmates weekends yards discuss crime real opportunities week conversation buildings warden house warden house home warden located northeastern end floor room mansion built according golden gate national recreational area sources built rooms resided including warden house luxury stark contrast jail held lavish cocktail parties spot shows photograph trusted house warden house garden greenhouse mansion tall windows providing fine views today house ruin burned native americans occupation june building building constructed island intended entirely purpose military officers families living island located dock southeastern island warden house story apartment block built site barracks 1860s functioned largest apartments southwest corner known cow palace nearby known known officers club social club located northwestern island located close proximity water tower military housed post exchange club social venue workers families island hard week work dealing america hardened criminals locked burned native americans occupation leaving shell remains club small bar library large dining dance floor table table lane bowling alley centre social life island employees regularly hosted events 1940s onwards showed movies sunday night shown inmates day saturday sunday club responsible organizing numerous special events island held hall fundraising associated ice cream halloween fancy dress christmas parties located northwest coast constructed million modernization scheme included water tower officers quarters block white powerhouse lighthouse said appearance ship mast island sign reading warning government permitted yards lay powerhouse deter people landing island point supplied power buildings island powerhouse tower duty station guarded caliber winchester rifle rounds ammunition pistol seven round magazines gas grenades gas mask water tower water tower located northwestern island near tower recreation yard water tank situated cross steel legs submerged concrete foundations water supply import mainland brought barge island military years ground water tanks water tanks situated roof citadel water tower built island received government renovations grant supply majority island fresh water tallest building island height feet volume gallons gallons fresh water store water drinking water water island service laundry facility story building northwest corner building originally built military laundry building built redevelopment program federal jail held workshops inmates work january building shifted feet edge cliff following landslide caused severe storm warden time proposed extend asked bureau fund later claim dislike building irregularly shaped smaller cheaper completed end guard tower hill tower added roof june building secure bars old cells bar windows roof prevent inmates escaping roof ceased use laundry moved upper floor today building heavily decades exposure salt air wind guard tower building hill tower exist constructed million modernization scheme included water tower power house officers quarters block ground floor story long building contained clothing factory dry cleaning plant furniture plant brush factory office prisoners federal work money earned small wage labour account known given leaving items gloves furniture army uniforms laundry room occupied entire upper floor largest san_francisco time window bays floor notable inmates legends cited haunted places america native americans mentioned evil spirits encountered island long military prison visited found atmosphere island eerie described cold winter summer months washington_post claimed place visitors sense past inhabitants trapped atmosphere alleged haunting prison documented numerous paranormal television series officials dismissed reports ghosts nonsense deny existence official said ridiculous ghost stories stop tourists visiting people heard don birds popular culture
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary