From 1934 to 1963, the most high-profile, dangerous criminals in America went to one place – Alcatraz.
A high security prison built on an island off the coast of San Francisco, “the Rock’s” hyper-vigilant security systems and improbable escapes became the stuff of legend. Infamous gangster Al Capone, famous for paying off prison guards, told the warden that “It looks like Alcatraz has got me licked.”
Due to outrageous running and upkeep costs (all supplies had to be ferried to the island), ‘the Rock’ emptied its cells after 29 years, but not before housing and breaking America’s most wanted criminals.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- L.A. Fires Show Reality of 1.5°C of Warming
- Behind the Scenes of The White Lotus Season Three
- How Trump 2.0 Is Already Sowing Confusion
- Bad Bunny On Heartbreak and New Album
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- We’re Lucky to Have Been Alive in the Age of David Lynch
- The Motivational Trick That Makes You Exercise Harder
- Column: All Those Presidential Pardons Give Mercy a Bad Name
Contact us at letters@time.com