Carter Roy

In the mid 20th century, Alcatraz's prisoners had a reputation. They were either infamous or deemed most likely to attempt escape. There were some exceptions, but from the 1930s to the 1960s, if wardens caught a criminal breaking out of another prison, they'd seriously consider sending him to Alcatraz. The prison featured some of the most stringent security measures in history.

In the mid 20th century, Alcatraz's prisoners had a reputation. They were either infamous or deemed most likely to attempt escape. There were some exceptions, but from the 1930s to the 1960s, if wardens caught a criminal breaking out of another prison, they'd seriously consider sending him to Alcatraz. The prison featured some of the most stringent security measures in history.

In the mid 20th century, Alcatraz's prisoners had a reputation. They were either infamous or deemed most likely to attempt escape. There were some exceptions, but from the 1930s to the 1960s, if wardens caught a criminal breaking out of another prison, they'd seriously consider sending him to Alcatraz. The prison featured some of the most stringent security measures in history.

12 official head counts a day, constant surveillance, tool-proof cell bars, automatic locks, hidden microphones. A convict passed through eight metal detectors a day, minimum. In the cafeteria, prisoners ate beneath silver ornaments, not decorations. They were canisters of tear gas, ready to drop in case of a riot, like the one that broke out in 1946.

12 official head counts a day, constant surveillance, tool-proof cell bars, automatic locks, hidden microphones. A convict passed through eight metal detectors a day, minimum. In the cafeteria, prisoners ate beneath silver ornaments, not decorations. They were canisters of tear gas, ready to drop in case of a riot, like the one that broke out in 1946.

12 official head counts a day, constant surveillance, tool-proof cell bars, automatic locks, hidden microphones. A convict passed through eight metal detectors a day, minimum. In the cafeteria, prisoners ate beneath silver ornaments, not decorations. They were canisters of tear gas, ready to drop in case of a riot, like the one that broke out in 1946.

In the yard, armed guards patrolled high catwalks so nothing would go unnoticed. The surrounding fence, topped with barbed wire, was almost unnecessary because anyone who climbed it faced the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz is an island, and that's how it got its nickname, The Rock. On all sides, freezing cold water crashes and roils.

In the yard, armed guards patrolled high catwalks so nothing would go unnoticed. The surrounding fence, topped with barbed wire, was almost unnecessary because anyone who climbed it faced the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz is an island, and that's how it got its nickname, The Rock. On all sides, freezing cold water crashes and roils.

In the yard, armed guards patrolled high catwalks so nothing would go unnoticed. The surrounding fence, topped with barbed wire, was almost unnecessary because anyone who climbed it faced the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz is an island, and that's how it got its nickname, The Rock. On all sides, freezing cold water crashes and roils.

Even if a prisoner evaded the headcounts, gun towers, and barbed wire, they'd still need to swim a mile and a half minimum to shore. All this to say, it was shocking when three prisoners went missing. It started early morning on Tuesday, June 12, 1962, as a patrolman walked through B Block doing his head count. When Frank Morris didn't emerge from his cell, the guards shouted to wake him up.

Even if a prisoner evaded the headcounts, gun towers, and barbed wire, they'd still need to swim a mile and a half minimum to shore. All this to say, it was shocking when three prisoners went missing. It started early morning on Tuesday, June 12, 1962, as a patrolman walked through B Block doing his head count. When Frank Morris didn't emerge from his cell, the guards shouted to wake him up.

Even if a prisoner evaded the headcounts, gun towers, and barbed wire, they'd still need to swim a mile and a half minimum to shore. All this to say, it was shocking when three prisoners went missing. It started early morning on Tuesday, June 12, 1962, as a patrolman walked through B Block doing his head count. When Frank Morris didn't emerge from his cell, the guards shouted to wake him up.

But Frank didn't move. This was strange. Inmates knew to be up for inspection or risk punishment. The guard repeated his orders. He wouldn't give them again. No response. Angry, the patrolman opened the cell and nudged Frank. Frank's head moved. Then it clattered on the floor, disembodied. The patrolman yelped. He looked at the decapitated head and...

But Frank didn't move. This was strange. Inmates knew to be up for inspection or risk punishment. The guard repeated his orders. He wouldn't give them again. No response. Angry, the patrolman opened the cell and nudged Frank. Frank's head moved. Then it clattered on the floor, disembodied. The patrolman yelped. He looked at the decapitated head and...

But Frank didn't move. This was strange. Inmates knew to be up for inspection or risk punishment. The guard repeated his orders. He wouldn't give them again. No response. Angry, the patrolman opened the cell and nudged Frank. Frank's head moved. Then it clattered on the floor, disembodied. The patrolman yelped. He looked at the decapitated head and...

Anne realized it was made of papier-mâché and paint. It had cracked when it hit the hard floor. Within minutes, patrolmen found two more papier-mâché heads in cells normally occupied by brothers John and Clarence Anglin. Further inspection revealed loose ventilation grates in all three cells, with holes leading to an underused utility corridor.

Anne realized it was made of papier-mâché and paint. It had cracked when it hit the hard floor. Within minutes, patrolmen found two more papier-mâché heads in cells normally occupied by brothers John and Clarence Anglin. Further inspection revealed loose ventilation grates in all three cells, with holes leading to an underused utility corridor.

Anne realized it was made of papier-mâché and paint. It had cracked when it hit the hard floor. Within minutes, patrolmen found two more papier-mâché heads in cells normally occupied by brothers John and Clarence Anglin. Further inspection revealed loose ventilation grates in all three cells, with holes leading to an underused utility corridor.

Inside the corridor, they found a workshop with glues, screws, wrenches, and raincoat scraps scattered about. Records showed 52 raincoats had gone missing over the past few months. A ventilation shaft hung high above the utility corridor, and sure enough, it opened to the roof. On the roof, they found footprints. At that, they sounded the escape siren.

Inside the corridor, they found a workshop with glues, screws, wrenches, and raincoat scraps scattered about. Records showed 52 raincoats had gone missing over the past few months. A ventilation shaft hung high above the utility corridor, and sure enough, it opened to the roof. On the roof, they found footprints. At that, they sounded the escape siren.