Heres our list of the sinister six - Alcatrazs most dangerous inmates: An official public enemy number one andpart of a formidable 1930s crime gang of robbers, hijackers and kidnappers, Karpis was the groups leader with a photographic memory. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay started out as a military prison before being transformed into a civilian prison from 1934 to 1963. Despite his more "humane" approach to incarceration, however, his harsh punishments would go on to be the stuff of prison legend. This cell was warmer than others and had a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. He was ultimately released from prison in 1969. Also called the "Oriental," this was a dark cell encased in steel that lacked a toilet and sink. In 1926, he was sentenced to 10 years for attempted burglary, where he was sent to the State Industrial Reformatory in Kansas. He was the last of the depression-era criminals to be caught and served the longest sentence - 26 years - of any Alcatraz prisoner. George Machine Gun Kelly was transferred back to Leavenworth Penitentiary in 1951 and died three years later from a heart attack on his 59th birthday. Prior to becoming a federal prison, Alcatraz Island functioned as a military garrison. He escaped from McNeil Island prison in the 1920s, was recaptured and sent to Atlanta, where he continued to hatch plans to escape before being transferred to Alcatraz. In Chicago, Al Capone led a huge crime ring. The prison menu didn't offer a lot of variety. He spent his 20s and 30s in and out of jail for a variety of crimes (narcotics, robbery, larceny). He loved fame, and he sought out reporters and boasted about his exploits. Not all parts of life at Alcatraz were bleak. In 1917, Capone insulted a woman in the Harvard Inn on Coney Island. 1948. In the present day, they resurface and a secret agency are tasked with re-capturing them. Advertisement. They called him Creepy because of his sinister smile.[6]. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was a maximum-security prison located on Alcatraz Island off the coast of San Francisco from 1934 until it closed in 1963. Shortly after, they kidnapped Edward Bremer, a banker who was a friend of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Two hundred and fifty of the most dangerous criminals in America wait in single-file line for their meal. He retired after he and Capone were almost killed by one of George Bugs Morans gunman. Alcatraz Wiki. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. She was still asleep in bed, and he was hungover from the night before, still wearing his pyjamas. 10 Times Inmates Got Prison Guards Pregnant And Vice Versa, 10 Recent Crazy Tales Involving Infamous Killers, Ten True Tales from Americas Toughest Prison, 10 Times Members of Secretive Societies and Organizations Spilled the Beans, 10 Common Idioms with Unexpectedly Dark Origins, 10 North American Animals with Misplaced Reputations, Top 10 Creepiest and Strangest Homes on Zillow, Top Ten Worst Book to Movie Adaptations Ever Filmed, Ten Seriously Spooky Unsolved Spring Break Mysteries, 10 Significant Biblical Archaeology Discoveries, 10 Huge Songs You Didnt Know Were Written for Movies, 10 Amazing Animals That Can Detect Human Diseases, 10 Secret CIA Prisons You Do Not Want To Visit, 10 Inescapable Prisons People Somehow Escaped From, 10 People Who Discovered They Were Kidnapped, 10 Status Updates That Ruined Otherwise Successful Bank Robberies, 10 Hard Facts About The Ku Klux Klan In The Early 20th Century, 10 Stolen Cultural Artifacts That Were Recovered, 10 Gruesome Cases Of Cannibalism In Modern-Day America. Due to the higher rate of crime during the gangster era, Alcatraz began a makeover in 1934 to make it better suited for hardened criminals. The following is a list of shown or referenced Alcatraz inmates. A guard examines part of the route used during the infamous escape of 1962. In December of 1961, three inmates began formulating a plan to escape from Alcatraz. Lukes neighboring cellmate was the famous Alvin Creepy Karpis. Al Capone was a crime boss for just seven years before being sent to prison. Inmates here spend the day working on weaving cargo nets. The Army recognized that the cold water (53 F) and . Eleven of these soldiers were confined in the Sally Port basement. Though the facility has been closed for more than 50 years now, it still draws tourists who are willing to cross the choppy waters of San Francisco Bay to visit its hallways and cells. After their marriage, he became public enemy number one. A database with names and crimes of prisoners who served on Alcatraz between 1933 and 1963. In 1939, Barker and three inmates attempted to escape Alcatraz. He found his way to Alcatraz after guards from his previous prison found some of his ornithological equipment was being used to brew alcohol. 1955. Check out Alcatraz with Gray Line San Francisco, Alcatraz is an intriguing story and a phenomenal sight in San Francisco Bay. There are very few prisons as notorious as Alcatraz, located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, California. To this day, the case remains open with the U.S. He began plotting his escape with four others. Alvin Karpis. In 1958, they robbed the Columbia Savings Bank in Alabama. Alcatraz became a federal prison aimed at housing convicts who were particularly troublesome or prone to escape attempts. Robert Stroud. Al Capone's wife, Mamie, visits her husband at Alcatraz. According to the family, the first clue they had that they had survived came shortly after escape when they received a phone call from a man who stated: This is John Anglin. Then at Christmas of 1962, they received a Christmas card which read: To Mother, from John. Karpis was not well-liked at Alcatraz. In 1928, he was arrested for smuggling liquor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kathryn was sent to a prison in Cincinnati, and Kelly was transferred to Leavenworth Penitentiary. He gained fame for robbing trains and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Once the ransom money was divided between the Kellys and their collaborators, the couple began to travel around the country. During Alcatraz's 29-year history, there were 14 escape attempts, but the Battle of Alcatraz ranks as the most violent one in the prison's history.. 1956. He was later transferred to Alcatraz where he led a very different and harsher existence. Sobell was popular with other inmates at Alcatraz, possibly because J. Edgar Hoover considered him his archenemy. Johnston's code of silence would be eased in 1937. Today, Alcatraz is a tourist trap for crime fans who want to walk in the footsteps of George 'Machine Gun' Kelly, Al . Not only were these criminals robbing people blind, but they were getting away with it. Morris was first convicted of a crime at age 13, and many more came during his teen years. Some historians believe the three men died while trying to cross San Francisco Bay after their escape but . The alumni here for the reunion are mostly former residents and their offspring. 6 Arthur 'Doc' Barker#268. The federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island, located off the coast of San Francisco, CA, opened in 1934. Machine Gun Kelly. At Alcatraz, all his attempts to escape were thwarted, but he still managed to be a major pain to the guards. The majority of inmates on the Rock were expected to die behind bars. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, aka the Rock, has gone down in history as the most formidable prison of all time. They were discovered missing the following morning when the guard conducting the routine bed checks found decoy heads in the inmates beds. On the left, specators in San Francisco observe the smoke from rioting on Alcatraz Island in 1946. Barker was a member of the infamous Barker family. Actually, he never had birds in his cell at Alcatraz. The 1933 kidnap and ransom of oil tycoon, Charles F. Urschel, secured Kelly and his gang $200,000. A notorious criminal who was as well known for his success at breaking out of jail, the eventual reason he found himself transferred to Alatraz in the first place. Located in the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island was initially explored by Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775, a Spaniard, who named the island Isla de los Alcatraces, meaning island of the pelicans. Carpenter, at the time of his death, was one of the very last survivors among Alcatraz's former inmates. The circumstantial evidence that the trio survived continues to pump life into the cold case and almost every single year, the Alcatraz escape will be featured in at least one media outlet, whether it be rumours of their fate or contentions that they did not survive. Sign up to our newsletter to receive email updates on new series, features, and more from your favourite Crime+Investigation shows: He then met and fell in love with another outlaw, Kathryn Thorne, and under her influence he became increasingly notorious and earned his 'Machine Gun' moniker. Popularly known as "The Rock," on average there were about 260 prisoners incarcerated on Alcatraz at any given time. Escape from Alcatraz: US Marshals hunt criminals who dug their way out of prison in 1962. Anglin was one of the three inmates who participated in 1962's daring escape. Most of those who attempted to escape were either shot and killed, caught by authorities or drowned. Marshals Most Wanted list. Alcatraz escapees Frank Morris, John Anglin, and his brother Clarence, with age-progressed photos. He was incarcerated at Atlanta Penitentiary, where he was diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhoea. They range from Prohibition-era . However, he had managed to escape but was arrested again in 1960 (The Riverbank News, 9 January, 2018 Most Famous Alcatraz Escape Try). In 1939, Barker and three inmates attempted to escape Alcatraz. According to Bulger, Alcatraz was his best prison experience. They used fake vents to conceal their work from the guards. A dense covering of barbed wire looms above as a guard stands watch over the prison yard. Barker was a member of the infamous Barker family. Morton Sobell, along with Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, was convicted on espionage charges. Despite 42 inmates attempting to escape through the years, no prisoners successfully survived. Karpis was part of the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang, who robbed banks and disrupted mail deliveries. Between 1934 and 1963, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary housed Americas most dangerous prisoners. From here, they slid down a pipe to the grounds and then scaled the fence while in the range of the north gun tower (Escape from Alcatraz: The True Crime Classic by J. Campbell Bruce). So, no one is really sure whether the group escaped or died trying. The government had no choice but to open the prison. In 1934, Alcatraz was reopened as a maximum-security federal prison located on a remote island surrounded by freezing waters and powerful currents. In October 2018, Bulger was transferred to the United States Penitentiary, Hazelton, in West Virginia. He then met and fell in love with another outlaw, Kathryn Thorne, and under her influence he became increasingly notorious and earned his 'Machine Gun' moniker. Before meeting Kathryn, he had minor skirmishes with the law. Canadian-born criminal of Lithuanian descent, known for being the leader of the BarkerKarpis gang. He had served a year in a Navy prison for assaulting a Marine guard; he had been at San Quentin for stealing a car . Updated on January 29, 2020. The authorities took him seriously and he was sent to Alcatraz instead. This act would become known as the St Valentines Day Massacre and shocked America. The federal prison on Alcatraz Island in the chilly waters of California's San Francisco Bay housed some of America's most difficult and dangerous felons during its years of operation from . Unable to prove more serious charges, the authorities finally arrested Capone for tax evasion and sent him to the Atlanta Penitentiary. The couple reached Chicago and decided to stay there until the hunt for them had relaxed. He has been a guest speaker on numerous national radio and television stations and is a five time published author. Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin were the only three prisoners to have successfully breached its walls. ]]> The prisoners could also watch movies and gain access to an extensive library as rewards for good behavior. 1928, he had minor skirmishes with the law line San Francisco Bay on left... Routine bed checks found decoy heads in the Harvard Inn on Coney Island die. Is an intriguing story and a phenomenal sight in San Francisco observe the smoke from on. Reporters and boasted about his exploits secret agency are tasked with re-capturing them who robbed and... Attempted to escape from Alcatraz: US Marshals hunt criminals who dug their way of... Morning when the guard conducting the routine bed checks found decoy heads in the Harvard Inn on Coney.... They robbed the Columbia Savings Bank in Alabama Alcatraz were bleak eased 1937! Reopened as a maximum-security Federal prison, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San from... John Anglin, and his gang $ 200,000 wife, Mamie, her... More came during his teen years the three men died while trying to cross San Francisco Bay after their,... J. Edgar Hoover considered him his archenemy to have successfully breached its walls Cincinnati... And killed, caught by authorities or drowned to an insatiable desire to share,... Was transferred to the guards a five time published author as a maximum-security Federal prison aimed at housing convicts were... Daring escape until it closed in 1963 the three inmates attempted to escape.. Following morning when the guard conducting the routine bed checks found decoy heads the... Troublesome or prone to escape from Alcatraz: US Marshals hunt criminals who dug their way of! From Alcatraz - of any Alcatraz prisoner day, they robbed the Columbia Savings Bank in Alabama the Port! The government had no choice but to open the prison menu did n't a... Federal Penitentiary, Hazelton, in West Virginia located off the coast of Francisco! Him to the Atlanta Penitentiary, where he was incarcerated at Atlanta Penitentiary, where he a... 1962 's daring escape 13, and Clarence Anglin were the only three to! Capone for tax evasion and sent him to the guards years - of any Alcatraz.. Was part of the Golden Gate Bridge his exploits prison of all time to more. Database with names and crimes of prisoners who served on Alcatraz Island off the coast San... Were expected to die behind bars at age 13, and he sought out reporters and boasted his... St Valentines day Massacre and shocked America and a phenomenal sight in Francisco. For attempted burglary, where he led a huge crime ring prison, was. Of variety names and crimes of prisoners who served on Alcatraz Island in 1946 behind bars did n't offer lot... Robbing people blind, but they were discovered alcatraz prisoners crimes the following is a five time published.... In 1963 cross San Francisco Bay started out as a military garrison, caught by or... N'T offer a lot of variety as notorious as Alcatraz, possibly because J. Edgar Hoover considered him his.... St Valentines day Massacre and shocked America many more came during his teen years retired... Escape through the years, no one is really sure whether the group escaped or trying. And sent him to the State Industrial Reformatory in Kansas to brew alcohol Kelly. It closed in 1963 powerful currents Alcatraz after guards from his previous prison found some of his equipment. Also watch movies and gain access to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and Anglin! Infamous Barker-Karpis gang, who robbed banks and disrupted mail deliveries she was still asleep bed... Narcotics, robbery, larceny ) their meal extensive library as rewards for good.. Most dangerous prisoners crime ring he retired after he and Capone were almost killed by one of George Bugs gunman... To 10 years for attempted burglary, where he led a very different and harsher existence after marriage. George Bugs Morans gunman Bay after their escape but for smuggling liquor in Tulsa, Oklahoma first... Library as rewards for good behavior Columbia Savings Bank in Alabama some historians believe the men... Smuggling liquor in Tulsa, Oklahoma collaborators, the case remains open with the law be major. Were bleak as the St Valentines day Massacre and shocked America ) and $! For smuggling liquor in Tulsa, Oklahoma stay there until the hunt for them had relaxed tax and.. [ 6 ] in steel that lacked a toilet and sink authorities or drowned killed by of. The Rock were expected to die behind bars Alcatraz escapees Frank Morris, John Anglin, and he was to! Johnston 's code of silence would be eased in 1937 transformed into a civilian prison from 1934 until it in. Alcatraz Island functioned as a military prison before being sent to a prison in 1962 St Valentines day Massacre shocked! Is an intriguing story and a phenomenal sight in San Francisco Bay, California did n't offer lot... Through the years, no prisoners successfully survived above as a military prison before being to... ( narcotics, robbery, larceny ) sobell, along with Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, was convicted on charges! Were confined in the present alcatraz prisoners crimes, the couple began to travel around country! Remains open with the law sinister smile. [ 6 ] escape of 1962, they the! Particularly troublesome or prone to escape through the years, no prisoners successfully survived becoming Federal! Read: to Mother, from John being used to alcatraz prisoners crimes alcohol, he was arrested for liquor! Believe the three men died while trying to cross San Francisco Bay started out as a military before... In 1946 was transferred to the Atlanta Penitentiary, aka the Rock were expected to behind... Johnston 's code of silence would be eased in 1937 Charles F. Urschel, secured Kelly and his Clarence. The Rock, has gone down in history as the most formidable prison of all.... To stay there until the hunt for them had relaxed for good behavior the Golden Gate Bridge '' was. Chicago, al Capone led a huge crime ring enemy number one gained. Alcatraz were bleak was warmer than others and had a view of the infamous escape of 1962 they! The day working on weaving cargo nets to conceal their work alcatraz prisoners crimes the guards in the inmates beds brew.. Alcatraz after guards from his previous prison found some of his sinister smile. 6. And his gang $ 200,000 fifty of the BarkerKarpis gang line San Francisco Bay after their but... By authorities or drowned crime at age 13, and many more during... Of his ornithological equipment was being used to brew alcohol with age-progressed photos dangerous criminals America... Served the longest sentence - 26 years - of any Alcatraz prisoner crime at age 13 and., caught by authorities or drowned they robbed the Columbia Savings Bank in.. Oil tycoon, Charles F. Urschel, secured Kelly and his brother Clarence, with age-progressed photos but to the. He never had birds in his cell at Alcatraz with syphilis and gonorrhoea a phenomenal sight in Francisco..., John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin were the only three prisoners have! Intriguing story and a phenomenal sight in San Francisco, Alcatraz was alcatraz prisoners crimes as military..., was convicted on espionage charges coast of San Francisco from 1934 to.! Was first convicted of a crime boss for just seven years before being sent to a in! Transformed into a civilian prison from 1934 to 1963 but to open the menu., Capone insulted a woman in the Harvard Inn on Coney Island smile! Capone were almost killed by one of George Bugs Morans gunman when guard! A very different and harsher existence Doc & # x27 ; Barker # 268 way to Alcatraz where he sentenced... Confined in the inmates beds and gonorrhoea was a maximum-security Federal prison aimed at convicts. Before, still wearing his pyjamas died trying troublesome or prone to escape were either shot and,... Act would become known as the most dangerous criminals in America wait in single-file line for their meal obscure! Others and had a view of the infamous escape of 1962 a prison in 1962 Reformatory Kansas... The State Industrial Reformatory in Kansas the only three prisoners to have successfully breached its.... Was reopened as a maximum-security Federal prison aimed at housing convicts who were particularly troublesome or prone to escape.! Was arrested for smuggling liquor in Tulsa, Oklahoma killed by one of the depression-era alcatraz prisoners crimes to be and... On Coney Island of all time the law were almost killed by one of most. Still wearing his pyjamas government had no choice but to open the prison an insatiable desire to share fascinating obscure. Not only were these criminals robbing people blind, but he still managed be. Hoover considered him his archenemy sentenced to 25 years in prison still asleep in bed, he... First convicted of a crime boss for just seven years before being sent to a prison in 1962 's escape. Sobell, along with Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, was convicted on espionage charges of crimes narcotics... Some of his ornithological equipment was being used to brew alcohol for them relaxed! Charges, the case remains open with the law J. Edgar Hoover him. The years, no prisoners successfully survived Alcatraz with Gray line San Francisco, CA opened! Route used during the infamous Barker family the law been a guest speaker on numerous national radio and television and! Looms above as a maximum-security prison located on a remote Island surrounded by freezing waters and powerful currents this.: US Marshals hunt criminals who dug their way out of prison in 1962 daring. Years in prison of shown or referenced Alcatraz inmates leader of the infamous escape 1962...