Main Prison II

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Battle Of Alcatraz

Details of the battle are shown in this page. Two officers and three prisoners died in the attempt, and two other prisoners were later executed.

This is the Gun Gallery which runs along the length on end, allowing safety for officers, yet allowing them to see the aisles between cells. The officers also had access to weapons, should they be needed.

This is the mechanism used to make keys available to officers in the cell area. The officer would request any required key, and those in the gun gallery would lower the keys to that officer. When completed, the keys would be returned to safety.

The Escape


Dummy prisoner in bed	Utility area between cell rows

The only escape of prisoners was on July 11th, 1962, when three prisoners used simple tools to remove the ventilator grills in their cells. This provided access to the utility area behind their cells, and from their they climbed to the roof, and eventually entered the water. No trace was ever found, and it is presumed they were carried out to sea by the tide.

Miscellaneous Other Bits

This is the visitor section, located at the administration end of the cell block. This is the prisoner's view. Little privacy and no physical contact.

Prisoners "decorated" their cells as befitted their skills, including paintings, as shown here, or other arts and crafts. And their few meagre possessions, and perhaps a book or two from the library.

The control room of Alcatraz. And interesting time capsule of the equipment used in 1963.

The last breakfast menu displayed in the dining room. As the board looked quite clean, I did wonder if this is genuine, or a re-creation. The menu itself is probably typical.

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