Carter Roy

Multiple escape attempts and numerous assaults on fellow prisoners landed him on Alcatraz for the second time in 1958. In his interview, Allen West dripped smugness and oozed information. His account is the primary source for what we know about the escape. Because as Alan told it, he was in on the plan. Alan's story starts a year and a half prior, in January 1961.

Multiple escape attempts and numerous assaults on fellow prisoners landed him on Alcatraz for the second time in 1958. In his interview, Allen West dripped smugness and oozed information. His account is the primary source for what we know about the escape. Because as Alan told it, he was in on the plan. Alan's story starts a year and a half prior, in January 1961.

That's when Clarence Anglin arrived, three months after his brother, John. By this point, Alan West had been talking about escaping for years. It was an obsession, an unfulfilled dream after past failures landed him in Alcatraz. He discussed the possibility with pretty much every inmate he came in contact with.

That's when Clarence Anglin arrived, three months after his brother, John. By this point, Alan West had been talking about escaping for years. It was an obsession, an unfulfilled dream after past failures landed him in Alcatraz. He discussed the possibility with pretty much every inmate he came in contact with.

That's when Clarence Anglin arrived, three months after his brother, John. By this point, Alan West had been talking about escaping for years. It was an obsession, an unfulfilled dream after past failures landed him in Alcatraz. He discussed the possibility with pretty much every inmate he came in contact with.

Most didn't take him seriously, but Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin knew Alan better. Their paths had all crossed before, at a prison in Atlanta years earlier. The Anglins quickly got on board with Allen's latest plan. They had lives they hoped to return to. Both brothers were in their early 30s with families and partners.

Most didn't take him seriously, but Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin knew Alan better. Their paths had all crossed before, at a prison in Atlanta years earlier. The Anglins quickly got on board with Allen's latest plan. They had lives they hoped to return to. Both brothers were in their early 30s with families and partners.

Most didn't take him seriously, but Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin knew Alan better. Their paths had all crossed before, at a prison in Atlanta years earlier. The Anglins quickly got on board with Allen's latest plan. They had lives they hoped to return to. Both brothers were in their early 30s with families and partners.

Frank Morris was a harder sell, no real friends or family, but he still wanted his freedom. By early winter 1961, the goal was set. Escape America's most inescapable prison. Now, bursting out of a maximum security prison with no resources seems like an impossible task. But they have some expertise. They've all attempted prison breaks before. That's how they got here.

Frank Morris was a harder sell, no real friends or family, but he still wanted his freedom. By early winter 1961, the goal was set. Escape America's most inescapable prison. Now, bursting out of a maximum security prison with no resources seems like an impossible task. But they have some expertise. They've all attempted prison breaks before. That's how they got here.

Frank Morris was a harder sell, no real friends or family, but he still wanted his freedom. By early winter 1961, the goal was set. Escape America's most inescapable prison. Now, bursting out of a maximum security prison with no resources seems like an impossible task. But they have some expertise. They've all attempted prison breaks before. That's how they got here.

The Anglins were transferred in from Leavenworth Prison in Kansas, where they'd been held for separate crimes. In Leavenworth, John had tried to break Clarence out by putting him in an enormous bread box. He and another inmate attempted to carry the box outside. but got caught straining to lift something that should have been lightweight.

The Anglins were transferred in from Leavenworth Prison in Kansas, where they'd been held for separate crimes. In Leavenworth, John had tried to break Clarence out by putting him in an enormous bread box. He and another inmate attempted to carry the box outside. but got caught straining to lift something that should have been lightweight.

The Anglins were transferred in from Leavenworth Prison in Kansas, where they'd been held for separate crimes. In Leavenworth, John had tried to break Clarence out by putting him in an enormous bread box. He and another inmate attempted to carry the box outside. but got caught straining to lift something that should have been lightweight.

Meanwhile, Frank Morris had attempted escape from the maximum security Louisiana State Prison five years earlier. While cutting sugar cane on work duty, he and another inmate vanished. Later, the warden admitted he had no idea how they did it.

Meanwhile, Frank Morris had attempted escape from the maximum security Louisiana State Prison five years earlier. While cutting sugar cane on work duty, he and another inmate vanished. Later, the warden admitted he had no idea how they did it.

Meanwhile, Frank Morris had attempted escape from the maximum security Louisiana State Prison five years earlier. While cutting sugar cane on work duty, he and another inmate vanished. Later, the warden admitted he had no idea how they did it.

Frank spent a few months on the lam, even burglarizing a bank outside New Orleans before being recaptured and sent to a number of federal prisons, eventually arriving at Alcatraz for the remainder of his sentence. And though Allen West was mostly talk, he'd successfully broken out of a Florida prison after managing to steal a gun. But, of course, he, too, ended up in Alcatraz.

Frank spent a few months on the lam, even burglarizing a bank outside New Orleans before being recaptured and sent to a number of federal prisons, eventually arriving at Alcatraz for the remainder of his sentence. And though Allen West was mostly talk, he'd successfully broken out of a Florida prison after managing to steal a gun. But, of course, he, too, ended up in Alcatraz.

Frank spent a few months on the lam, even burglarizing a bank outside New Orleans before being recaptured and sent to a number of federal prisons, eventually arriving at Alcatraz for the remainder of his sentence. And though Allen West was mostly talk, he'd successfully broken out of a Florida prison after managing to steal a gun. But, of course, he, too, ended up in Alcatraz.