Silence was enforced during much of the day, and prisoners spent most of their time in isolation. Yet Alcatraz was also considered one of the most secure and orderly prisons in the U.S. Escapes were rare — at least, officially unsuccessful. The most famous attempt occurred in June 1962, when inmates Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin used spoons, raincoats, and clever craftsmanship to escape through the prison’s ventilation system. Their bodies were never found, and their fate remains a mystery to this day.
Alcatraz’s story reflects not just the past, but America’s evolving relationship with crime, punishment, and redemption. It symbolizes both the harshest aspects of justice and the possibility of transformation. Its dark corridors hold echoes of the past, but also serve as a platform for conversations about the future of justice and human rights. By the early 1960s, the cost of maintaining Alcatraz had become unsustainable. Transporting food, water, and supplies to the island was expensive, and the aging infrastructure was deteriorating.
