Why did the prison close? When did it close?
Did anyone ever escape?
Where's Al Capone's cell? Where's Birdman's cell?
Where's the Gas Chamber?
Why don't they reopen it?
Where did the families live?
How many guards worked here?
How many prisoners were kept here? Total, average?
How many people died here?
How many cells are there?

Why did the prison close? When did it close?

Cost effectiveness, administrative changes in Washington, a change in Bureau of Prison's operating philosophy (reinstitution, rehabilitation). USPAZ. closed on 21 March 1963 (last prisoners removed on this day); Alcatraz was transferred to the General Services Administration (GSA) in May of 63.

Did anyone ever escape?

Thirty-six prisoners were involved in attempts: 7 shot and killed, 2 drowned, 5 unaccounted for, the rest recaptured. 2 prisoners made it off the island but were returned, one, in 1945 (Giles) and one in 1962 (Scott). As for the June 1962 escape, Morris and the Anglin brothers were successful in escaping both the institution and the island, but survival is very questionable.

Where's Al Capone's cell? Where's the Birdman's cell?

Former prisoners and Correctional Officers indicate that Al Capone's cell is located on the outside west end of Cellblock B. Capone spent more time in the hospital than in the general population (GP).

Robert Stroud (Birdman of Alcatraz) arrived in 1942, spent some 90 days in the GP. and was then transferred to D Block. Occupying more than one cell over a period of seventeen years, Stroud stayed in D block cell for approximately six years and was then moved up to the hospital in 1948, staying for eleven years, by request of Warden Swope.

Where's the Gas Chamber?

Although Federal courts do impose capital punishment, the actual carrying out of that sentence is attended to in the nearest State facility (in this case the death sentence was fulfilled at San Quentin State Prison).

Why don't they reopen it?

Cost effectiveness! Repairing the facilities would cost enormous amounts of money, as would installing proper sanitation facilities, etc.

Where did the families live?

Families were distributed in Building 64, four wood frame houses, one duplex and three apartment buildings. The Warden resided in a large house adjacent to the cellhouse, the Captain and the Associate Warden lived in theduplex.

How many guards worked here?

90 officers were required to cover the three 8-hour shifts, plus sick leave and vacation time. Two-thirds of the custody staff resided on the island with the rest in the San Francisco and local areas.

How many prisoners were kept here? Total, average?

Somewhere in the vicinity of 1545 total, with 1576 numbers issued (some 30+ were returned to the institution with same number reissued). High number at one time was 302, the lowest 222, and average was around 260.

How many people died here?

Eight murdered by other inmates (although records indicated only 7), five suicides, and 15 from illness.

How many cells are there?

There are 336 cells in B and C block (348 originally, but 12 were removed when stairways were installed at the end of blocks), and 42 in D block.