Alcatraz Island is an island located just inside the
San Francisco Bay, right off the shores of San Francisco. Aptly termed "The ROCK", the former military fortification and military prison has now become a favorite tourist destination for California travelers. When operating as a prison some of it's more famous guests included the likes of such famous names as Al Capone, Alvin Carpis and " Machine Gun" Kelly.
Throughout the years Alcatraz has been featured in various movies, plays, television shows and documentaries.
Alcatraz island itself has over three hundred prison cells divided into two "blocks"-both a "B" block and a "C" block. "D" block was reserved for those in solitary confinement and was not a pleasant place to be-considering that "B" and "C" block were considered by many to be "bad enough, already".
Alcatraz gained it's reputation, in part, because of the type of criminals it housed. To be housed at Alcatraz pretty much meant that you probably were known for (or were associated with) extreme violence, those who caused terrible trouble at other penal institutions or those who were continually an escape risk. To be "a lucky and likely candidate for Alcatraz prison was DEFINITELY not a good list to be on!
Alcatraz had another nickname not quite as well known to the general public, which was aptly termed by some of the inmates as "The devils hole".
Life in prison at Alcatraz would not allow any of the prisoners to discuss prison life with any other inmate, during the limited times of interaction that prisoners were allowed to come together. Even during these times where prisoners were allowed together, any and all physical contact was not permitted and all interaction was always monitored very closely.
Although there is much speculation of various prisoners who have attempted to escape from Alcatraz island, there is no official record of any prisoner actually completing an escape attempt. There were a few prisoners who "showed up missing" throughout the years but all of them were presumed to be dead, after thorough investigations were completed as to their whereabouts.
Today, Alcatraz is part of the National Park Association and is open for tours to the general public. Regular ferry rides take tourists across the bay to visit and tour the sights and sounds of Alcatraz.
Alcatraz.
Prison turned to "tourist paradise"?
Hmm.
A very interesting place to visit-indeed.
You decide!
