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What's hidden on Alcatraz Island?
Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay about 2 km (1.25 miles) from the city of San Francisco. It is best known as the site of the former high-security Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Today, the island is a popular historic site and tourist destination.
Let's take a closer look.
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A former high-security prison located on the island, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, operated from 1934 to 1963. It held some of the United States' most notorious criminals, including Al Capone.
Alcatraz Prison Break (1958-10) by N R FarbmanLIFE Photo Collection
Some attempted to escape
In 1933, Alcatraz Island was acquired by the Department of Justice and turned into a high-security prison. In 29 years of operation, 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts - none were successful.
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Iconic movie location
The prison has captured the imagination of filmmakers for decades and has been featured in numerous movies including "Escape from Alcatraz" (1979) starring Clint Eastwood, action thriller "The Rock" (1996) with Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage, and "X‑Men: The Last Stand" (2006).
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Strict routine
The prision held bank robbers, murderers, and counterfeiters who were considered beyond reform. Many inmates said the strict routine and isolation were harder to endure than the cell size itself.
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336 prison cells
The prison had 336 cells, most of them designed for single inmates. The cells had solid bars rather than walls, allowing guards to watch prisoners easily from the corridors.
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The recreation yard
This was one of the few places prisoners were allowed to talk to each other. They were allowed out here at weekends and on holidays for a maximum of 5 hours.
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What's in the hospital wing?
Alcatraz was self-sufficient. The prison even had its own hospital wing. The infamous gangster Al Capone spent the majority of his time at Alcatraz in the hospital, being treated for syphilis.
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Today, the hospital wing is one of the more atmospheric parts of the prison visited by tourists.
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Oldest working lighthouse on the west coast
Completed in 1854, Alcatraz Island was the location of the first lighthouse built on the west coast of the United States. Although it was rebuilt after damage in the early 20th century, the lighthouse still stands beside Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and continues to provide maritime aid.
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The island today
After the prison closed in 1963, the island became much quieter, allowing many bird species to return and thrive. It's an ideal habitat for waterbirds, which are specially adapted to marine and freshwater environments.
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In 1972, Alcatraz Island was sold to the US National Parks Service.
It is one of the most visited historic sites in the United States, managed by the National Park Service and attracting millions of visitors each year.
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