Alcatraz Prison Lighthouse San Francisco California USA
The United States Disciplinary Barracks on Alcatraz was acquired by the United States Department of Justice on October 12, 1933, and the island became a Federal Bureau of Prisons federal prison in August 1934. Alcatraz was designed to hold prisoners who continuously caused trouble at other federal prisons. On August 11, 1934, the first batch of 137 prisoners arrived at Alcatraz, arriving by railroad from the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas at Santa Venetia, California, before being escorted to Alcatraz, handcuffed in high security coaches and guarded by some 60 special FBI agents, marshalls and railway security officials. Most of the prisoners were notorious bank robbers and murderers. The prison initially had a staff of 155. The staff were highly trained in security, but not rehabilitation. During the 29 years it was in use, the jail held some of the worst hoodlums America had ever known, such as Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz) and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. It also provided housing for the Bureau of Prisons staff and their families. During its 29 years of operation, the penitentiary claimed that no prisoner successfully escaped. A total of 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts, two men trying twice; 23 were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, two drowned, and five are listed as "missing and presumed drowned".The most violent occurred on May 2, 1946, when a failed escape attempt by six prisoners led to the Battle of Alcatraz. In 1972 Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Size: 3000px × 4000px
Location: Alcatraz Prison San Francisco California USA
Photo credit: © Brenda Kean / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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