What It Was Like To Be An Inmate At Alcatraz

Summary

Explore the grim yet fascinating life of prisoners in Alcatraz, the infamous federal prison. Known for its strict rules and harsh conditions, inmates were subjected to solitary confinement, limited privileges, and constant surveillance. Despite its notorious reputation, Alcatraz offered some privileges like a library, recreational activities, and the opportunity for good behavior rewards. The video dives into daily life at the prison, notable inmates like Al Capone and the Birdman of Alcatraz, and daring escape attempts. It also highlights the mental toll the prison took on its inhabitants and the rock's legendary status in American history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal prison that housed notorious criminals, and its visitor popularity today contrasts with its dark past.
• 😀 The prison had a strict cell policy, with a capacity of 330 men, each in a small 5x9 foot cell, offering safety and privacy.
• 😀 Solitary confinement was used as a punishment, with prisoners spending up to 24 hours a day in isolation, sometimes for weeks.
• 😀 Inmates at Alcatraz were entitled to only four basic rights: food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, with other privileges earned.
• 😀 The library at Alcatraz was a prized privilege, offering inmates a chance to study law, learn languages, and take correspondence courses.
• 😀 Inmates could earn leisure activities like playing chess, listening to the radio, or even joining the 'Rock Islanders' band, which was a morale booster.
• 😀 Food at Alcatraz was considered the best in the federal system, with high-quality meals served, including meats, beans, and even desserts.
• 😀 Work was a major part of life, with inmates earning 5 to 12 cents an hour, and could shorten their sentences by working in specific prison industries.
• 😀 The prison had a strict rule of silence until 1937, with prisoners allowed to speak only during meals or recreation time, leading them to communicate covertly.
• 😀 Multiple escape attempts were made, with 14 attempts involving 36 prisoners, though none were successful. The most famous attempt was by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers in 1962.

Q & A

What was the maximum occupancy at Alcatraz and how were the cells organized?

Alcatraz had a strict maximum occupancy of 330 men, with individual cells measuring five feet by nine feet. The cells were divided into blocks: Cellblocks B and C housed 336 cells, while Cellblock A was not used to house inmates for significant periods. Cellblock D was reserved for solitary confinement.

What was the experience of solitary confinement at Alcatraz like?

Solitary confinement at Alcatraz involved inmates being kept in larger cells than the usual ones, but they had to spend 24 hours a day in these spaces, with only one weekly exception to visit the recreation yard. Inmates could be isolated for days or even weeks, and former inmate Jim Quinlan described a day in solitary as feeling like an eternity.

What rights and privileges did prisoners have at Alcatraz?

Prisoners at Alcatraz had four guaranteed rights: food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Other privileges, like access to the library, recreational activities, and visitation, were earned based on good behavior and could be revoked for misconduct.

How were inmates at Alcatraz processed upon arrival?

Upon arrival, prisoners were given the standard stamped prison uniform, strip-searched, and underwent a cursory medical examination. They were then showered and assigned to their cells.

What type of medical care was available at Alcatraz?

Inmates at Alcatraz had access to medical care, including general health services, dental care, and psychiatric services. The hospital also became home to very sick inmates. However, due to budget cuts, the in-residence physician position was eliminated in the 1950s.

What was the library at Alcatraz like?

The library at Alcatraz contained a large collection of books, which inmates could access if they earned the privilege. Inmates had to fill out a card requesting items from a catalog, and crime-related content was removed from books before being delivered to cells.

What leisure activities did inmates have at Alcatraz?

Inmates could engage in various leisure activities, such as chess, softball, and listening to the radio or watching movies in the auditorium. Additionally, some inmates formed the 'Rock Islanders' band, with even notorious criminals like Al Capone joining the group.

How were the living conditions inside the cells of Alcatraz?

Cells at Alcatraz were small, with minimal furnishings: a steel bed, a straw mattress, a dirty pillow, a toilet without a seat, and a washbasin with cold water. Inmates were allowed to purchase certain items, such as textbooks, musical instruments, and magazines, under prison regulations.

How did the first warden of Alcatraz, James A. Johnston, enforce discipline?

James A. Johnston, the first warden of Alcatraz, implemented a rule of silence that lasted until 1937. Inmates could only speak during meals or recreation time. However, they could smoke up to three packs of cigarettes per week. Prisoners often communicated through pipes between cells, like a makeshift tin can telephone.

What were the escape attempts at Alcatraz like?

There were 14 escape attempts involving 36 prisoners throughout the duration of Alcatraz's operation. These included attempts to climb fences, swim to shore, and overpower guards. One of the most famous escape attempts in 1962 involved Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, who vanished without a trace, sparking theories that they drowned during their escape attempt.