Alcatraz island prison – prison on the Rock
Discovered by a Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775 got a name Isla de los Alcatraces for the colony of pelicans nesting here. In 1854 the Army established a fortress on the island, called Alcatraz already, as part of the harbor defense, then converted it into a military prison during the Civil War. Its location in the middle of the bay made it a great place for a security prison since 1934.
The prison became famous for housing Al ”Scarface” Capone, ”Machine Gun” Kelly or Robert ”the Birdman” Stroud. Each prisoner was moving cells in order to make it more difficult for them to escape and also because sometimes they needed to be placed into the hospital wing.
Alcatraz island
In the beginning it was 90 correctional officers working in the prison and most of them lived on the island in the apartment buildings. Their kids were living on the island with them and commuting to school to the mainland every day.
29 years of prison and not even 1 successful escape out of 36 attempts. Some died, 4 disappeared and the rest were brought back to prison. The Clint Eastwood movie Escape from Alcatraz was about the dummy head escape in 1962.
28 prisoners died in Alcatraz prison of natural causes, diseases, were murdered or committed suicide. There was no death penalty in the prison.
It was always around 260 prisoners here at the same time. After the prison was closed in 1963 because of high operating costs, a group of Native Americans claimed it was their Indian land and lived on the Rock for 19 months in 1969 and 1970. You can still find some Indian signs on the building walls.
Alcatraz cruises ferry
got to Alcatraz island
Nowadays thousands of tourists visit the Alcatraz island to walk through the old prison buildings admiring the gardens full of flowers around which bring the beauty to the island as one of the Golden Gate National Parks. Only the Alcatraz Cruises are allowed to bring people to the island so be careful when anyone from a different company offers you an Alcatraz island tour as they will not bring you on the island.
The Alcatraz cruises, operating the first hybrid ferries in the US since 2009, was what I took too to get to Alcatraz island prison. The ferry leaves from the Pier 33. Even though it was a beautiful postcard sunny day back in San Francisco, the wind on the Alcatraz island was horribly strong and destroyed all my pretty photos as my hair was just everywhere but where it was supposed to be. The unpleasant wind and the cold weather proved the island was the perfect location for prison.
unpleasantly windy and cold on Alcatraz island
We haven’t seen many brown pelicans nesting on Alcatraz island but sea gulls were surrounding us everywhere.
walking around Alcatraz island with Quartermaster warehouse behind me
what’s left from one of the Alcatraz prison buildings
an Alcatraz prison building in ruins
another ruined building on Alcatraz island
Alcatraz prison ruins – Penitentiary Social Hall
observing sea gulls from behind the fence
sea gulls nesting on Alcatraz island
Probably the most interesting part of the whole Alcatraz island prison was entering the main prison building with cells. I felt like in Prison Break. And loved it! The old kitchen with photos of the former prisoners who left the prison and now live a normal life, some of them helping others, or involved in charities, was cool to visit too. Can a person really change into better??
walking up to Alcatraz prison building
The rough contrast of the cold weather, tough prison and stunning Persian carpet – iceplant flowers on Alcatraz island …
overlooking San Francisco
San Francisco from Alcatraz island
one of many sea gulls on Alcatraz island
beautiful Persian carpet on Alcatraz island
foggy Golden Gate Bridge
Alcatraz lighthouse
inside the Alcatraz prison
2 neighbor cells
small prison cells
one of the cells
how a cell looked like
There is some walking included – equivalent to a 13-story climb. No feeding of birds, no alcohol and no other drinks and food but bottled water are allowed on the island elsewhere than in the dock area. There is a little theater with a 17-minute video about the island in both English and Spanish. Behind the theater exhibits about various periods in Alcatraz’s history are located.
The best tip: get the audio tour – a 45-minute recorded tour available in 8 languages narrated by the former prisoners, officers and residents. Night tours are also available.
My Alcatraz island – prison on the Rock tour was a press trip organized by Alcatraz Cruises and CityPASS. You can book a day Alcatraz cruise with your CityPASS booklet instead of Blue & Gold cruise only if you purchase CityPASS from Alcatraz Cruises (If you purchase CityPASS anywhere else, Alcatraz Cruises is not an option).
For more information about San Francisco and what to do in the area, please visit San Francisco travel.
Solinea Lazuli
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Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Beth:
I agree with you, Beth. I am changing a few things myself so I see if you really want to, it is possible. The cells were amazing to see! Impressive!
Beth
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I love all these photos with inside of the cells, too!!! This is definitely on my list of to-see places in the U.S. I’m glad you enjoyed it!! And yes, I do think that people can change. They just have to really, really want to :)
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Traveling Ted:
I am glad I didn’t miss it as I would never imagine so many nice flowers on the prison island!
Traveling Ted
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I missed this tour when I was in San Francisco. I am now convinced it is a tour worth doing. Many pretty views of the mainland, flowers, and the bay.
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Annette | Bucket List Journey:
Oh yeah, go now when it’s all covered with beautiful flowers :)
Annette | Bucket List Journey
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I haven’t been to Alcatraz since I was in junior high (many, many years ago)! You have remined me that it’s about time for a revisit.