Alcatraz Prison

Alcatraz Island and Prison Alcatraz Island, also infamously known as “The Rock”, is located in the San Francisco Bay 1.5 miles offshore from San Francisco, Ca. It stands 121 feet above sea level and spans approximately 22 acres. The Spanish Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala named Alcatraz Island for sea birds; he was reported to be the first known European to sail through the Golden Gate in 1775. It was named “La Isla de los Alcatraces” meaning the Island of the Pelicans. It later became home to one of America’s most infamous maximum security prisons, host to some of the nation’s most dangerous criminals, and one of San Francisco’s most traveled to tourist attractions. Military prisoners were among the first of Alcatraz’s inmates. After
Alcatraz received its first prisoners at 9:40 am August 11, 1934. Alcatraz Prison consisted of four cellblocks. Cellblock A was used mainly for storage and, on rare occasion, to house prisoners who needed to be fully isolated from other inmates. Cellblocks B and C held the prisoners. Cellblock D housed 36 segregation cells, 6 solitary confinement cells, and also the library. The average cell size was 5x9 feet. An Alcatraz cell had a small sink with cord water, a small sleeping cot, and stationary table with seat. Inmates spent at least 14 hours per day in their cells. Prisoners were allowed two showers a week with a change of clothes and were required to be clean-shaven with no moustaches or beards. Inmates had only four rights: food, medical attention, shelter, and clothing. Everything else had to be earned. Those who earned visits were only allowed approved visitors for one and a half hours once a month, separated by glass and spoke via
Its first warden James A. Johnston was both cursed and praised during his time at Alcatraz. He imposed the controversial “Silent System” in which conversations between prisoners was entirely banned. However, he also prided himself on serving good food to the inmates with unlimited servings. Inmates with good behavior had access to privileges such as monthly movies and a library with over 15,000 books and publications. Many prisoners requested to be move to Alcatraz. In addition to the prisoners, at any given time there were about 300 civilians including women and children living on Alcatraz as well. Building 64 housed multiple apartments for officers and their families, as well as a bowling alley, convenient store and soda