Alcatraz: Disasters, Violence, and the Infamous 1962 Escape

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (1934–1963) witnessed numerous violent incidents and one legendary escape:

Notable Incidents

• 1934–35: "Birdman" Robert Stroud (not the canary-keeping Stroud of Leavenworth) – inmate Ralph Roe hallucinated bird visitations, fashioned wings from bedding, jumped from a cell window, severely injuring himself.
• 1938: "Blood Bath" Massacre – Inmate James "Dutchy" Lucas killed Officer William Miller and two other guards during an escape attempt; subdued after killing three staff total.
• 1946: Murder of Henri Young – Young, a convicted murderer, beaten and strangled in his cell; killers never identified; rumored anti-gay motive.
• May 1946: "Battle of Alcatraz" – Six inmates (led by Bernard Coy) overpowered guards, seized cell block, held for 44 hours. Two inmates, one guard killed; three survivors executed.
• June 1962: Frank Morris & the Anglin Brothers – Elaborate escape: dummy heads, ventilator tunnel, raincoat raft. Disappeared into San Francisco Bay. FBI concluded drowning; no bodies found. Case remains open.

Closure

Alcatraz closed March 21, 1963, due to high operating costs ($10/prisoner/day vs. $3 mainland) and structural decay. Over 1,500 inmates passed through in 29 years. Today, it's a National Park Service site attracting 1.4M+ visitors annually.