Monday, September 13, 2010

Alcatraz Island

Recently we took an out of town guest to visit Alcatraz Island. This is located in the San Francisco Bay. Until 1963, this island served as a Federal Prison. This was considered the maximum security prison. No one can escape from here because the prison is in the middle of the bay. If any one wants to escape, they have to swim about 2 miles to the shore. The water is very cold and there are sharks. You have to be a special person to be sent here. Please see this announcement.


Most notorious crooks in the country spent time in this prison. It has 336 main line cells and 42 solitary confinement rooms. Alcatraz tour is certainly one of the most famous. Whether you prefer to experience part of the history of the island or you just want to see one of the most well-known prisons on the earth, this is a getaway you will not forget.

The prison was in operation for 29 years and there were 14 escape attempts. There was only one successful escape. Remember the Clint Eastwood movie, Escape from Alcatraz.

Here are some pictures:

31 comments:

  1. Awesome. I am glad you mentioned about 1 escape

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  2. Thanks for your comments A. Yes, there was only one successful escape. That was made into a movie starring Clint Eastwood.

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  3. SG: Just the thought suffocates me... Glad to know it is no longer in use.

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  4. Really scary!
    I read your earlier post also. Congrats on your 150.
    Just back from a trip of Kumbakonam and Chidambaram. Had a nice trip.

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  5. The fact that there were only 14 escape attempts in 29 years says a lot about the prison.

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  6. What comes to mind, the Count of Monte Cristo :) and I'm off to read it an nth time :)

    Good day SG :)

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  7. hii SG
    that isinteresting indeed.. its akin to Indian Kalapani prison in Andaman and Nicobar islands..

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  8. I am not amazed that there were 14 escape attempts and I am glad atleast one managed to get away but if that guy is so notorius...I am not sure I should be glad ;)

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  9. I remember the film well. I'm only surprised that more attempts were not made, the thought of spending any length of time here is so scary.

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  10. Thanks for your comments NRIGirl. It is no longer in use as a prison. It is not a tourist attraction.

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  11. Thanks for your comments Chitra. It is very scary.

    Looking forward to your posts on temples in and around Kumbakonam and Chidambaram.

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  12. Thanks for your comments Jayashree. I was wondering who would even attempt to swim 2 miles in an icy cold bay with lots of sharks.

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  13. Thanks for your comments PNA. Great minds think alike. While there, the thought of Edmond Dantes came to my mind.

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  14. Thanks for your comments AS. You are absolutely right.

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  15. Thanks for your comments Aparna. The successful escape was carried out by Frank Morris on June 11, 1962. He was in prison for possession of narcotics and armed robbery. The Clint Eastwood movie, at the end, hints he successfully escaped. But in reality, no one has seen him since June 11, 1962.

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  16. Thanks for your comments Tracy. The thought of spending a single day here is very scary.

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  17. The thought of the one escaped convict made me feel better:)

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  18. BTW, Ive made a note to watch the movie this weekend -thanks to you

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  19. Thanks for your comments Latha. Let me know how you like this movie.

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  20. Thanks for your comments Shuchita. It is really scary.

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  21. Guests are always good for making you do touristy things. I bet you weren't such a fan of the shark-infested waters surrounding alcatraz though!

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  22. Thanks for your comments Emily. Never go near Alcatraz unless I have to take an out of town guest for sightseeing.

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  23. excellent pics
    thanks for sharing

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  24. Thanks for your commens SM. I am glad you liked this post.

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  25. I have always wanted to see that clint eastwood movie.. The prison does seem really menacing..Nice pics

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  26. Thanks for your complements Bedazzled. I loved that Clint Eastwood movie. The real prison is actually menacing.

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  27. Very informative post as always. Yes, I have heard a lot about Alcatraz but I think your post captured its gist in a very informative way. Thx a ton for sharing. Liked the words on that pic, speaks volumes!

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  28. Thanks for your comments Sanand. I am glad you liked this post.

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  29. Oh I have seen Escape from Alcatraz. Nice pictures.

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  30. Thanks for your comments Kiran. That movie was excellent.

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