{"id":2007,"count":2,"description":"

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the San Francisco Bay Area, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (otherwise known as \u201cThe Rock\u201d) served as a prison from 1934 until 1963. The location, an island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, was determined to be the best place to build a prison for the most notorious criminals in the states since it would be extremely difficult to escape from.<\/p>\r\n

Alcatraz<\/a> became known worldwide for housing some infamous criminals like\u00a0 <\/span>Al Capone, George \"Machine Gun\" Kelly, and Robert Stroud, the \"Birdman of Alcatraz\". During its operation, the prison was considered to be one of the most secure facilities in the world, and escape attempts were rare. There were a few attempts, including the \"Battle of Alcatraz\" in 1946, a failed escape in 1962 that resulted in the death of several inmates and a few other minor incidents. No prisoners actually managed to escape the prison, despite 14 different escape attempts involving 36 men.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Despite the success from a security standpoint, the prison was eventually closed due to high operating costs and poor conditions for both inmates & staff. Part of the high operating costs were due to its remote location and the high cost of transferring supplies, staff and prisoners. In the years that followed, Alcatraz became a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who are curious about its history and infamous past. Today, you can tour the prison and learn about its history through guided tours, museum exhibits, and audio tours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Interesting Facts about Alcatraz:<\/p>\r\n\r\n