Why did Alcatraz close? Alcatraz was initially constructed to house military personnel, but in 1861, it was converted into a military crimes penitentiary. Throughout its early years, it housed an assortment of inmates.
Alcatraz has served as a military prison and fortification during the American Civil War, a federal prison, and now a popular tourist attraction.
The addition of the prison and its premises to the recently established Golden Gate National Recreation Area was in 1972. Alcatraz continues to be among the most visited locations by tourists in San Francisco.
For instance, Building 64 now houses a store and a theater. Specific locations, including the Model Industries Building, Chapel, Guard Tower, and Lighthouse, are off-limits. Let’s learn more about Alcatraz.
Why Did Alcatraz Close?
Alcatraz prison ceased operations due to operational expenses surpassing its capacity. Keeping it operational would have required an additional $3 million to $5 million for maintenance and repairs.
This did not even include the daily operating expenses of the company. Considering the operating expenses per inmate, this facility incurred roughly three times the cost per inmate.
Alcatraz Closes After 29 Years
Alcatraz island is located 1.5 miles offshore from San Francisco, California. The military utilized the hilly peninsula, which also contained the first lighthouse on the West Coast, during the 1850s.
The initial correctional facility on the island commenced operations in the late 1850s.
In the course of the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War, the United States Army initially entrenched captives of war. Sufficient manpower saw the construction of a new jail in the early 1900s.
Established in 1912, the 600-cell penitentiary continues to stand to this day. The army gave it to the United States Department of Justice to assume command in 1933.
Upon its conversion to a maximum-security facility on July 1, 1934, Alcatraz was the incarceration site of several renowned criminals, including Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpowicz.
Visitors can now explore the history of one of the most renowned prisons in the U.S. Years have passed since the famous prison Alcatraz was opened.
The place was officially reopened to the public on March 21, 1963. This correctional facility formally ceased operations after being operational for over 29 years.
It earned a favorable reputation over time due to its location on an island remote from the coast. Theories circulated based on the place, and it became renowned across the country and globally.
The prison was reliant on water for its every need. The prison required a boat to transport food, water, supplies, and gasoline. The expenses accumulate when one considers the quantity of water needed to keep it running.
A boat was required to deliver approximately one million liters of fresh water to the island each week. Exorbitant operating expenses rendered the facility inoperative.
The prison began to deteriorate as a result of the harsh saltwater. The United States Department of Justice could no longer afford to maintain the structure at the current expense.
At its closure in 1963, Alcatraz was estimated to require between $3 and $5 million in safety repairs. The federal government determined that the expense of maintaining Alcatraz in good condition would be lower than constructing an entirely new federal prison.
Many believe the escape of three inmates from the island could have influenced the decision to shut the prison. Morris and the Anglin brothers devised a comprehensive strategy to escape the island. Their remains, nonetheless, remained undiscovered.
They meticulously sew together more than fifty raincoats to create life jackets and fashioned paper-mache heads from actual human hair. This was to deceive the night security during a room inspection.
They later discovered magazines in their chambers, indicating that this this where they drew their inspiration from.
They crawled through a cut-out opening to the roof and down a pipe, where the men managed to escape.
They scaled two barbed wire barriers to lower the boats into the water. The absence of their whereabouts led to the assumption that they had died.
The most widely recognized escape attempt occurred during this cohort, and it inspired the 1978 film Breakout From Alcatraz.
It was intriguing that two captives had escaped before the three. However, seven prisoners were fatally shot who attempted to escape. Two drowned, while others are assumed to have drowned, too.
Other reasons for its closure include:
- Small in Size: Because Alcatraz had only 260 to 275 cells, it could not house a certain number of inmates. It was less effective than federal facilities with larger holding areas due to its small size.
- Attitudes Towards Prison: From the early 1960s onwards, correctional policy transformed, emphasizing rehabilitation and treatment as alternatives for incarcerated individuals.
Some individuals perceived that Alcatraz’s stringent and severe regulations were antiquated and incompatible with contemporary prison management concepts.
- Prisoners Escape: Despite Alcatraz’s reputation for stringent security measures, inmates made numerous attempts to flee.
Some of these attempts garnered considerable media attention. These initiatives drew attention to the difficulty of maintaining the island’s security.
- Legal Complaints: Complaints from inmates and their attorneys regarding the conditions at Alcatraz impeded the facility’s ability to operate efficiently.
Alcatraz ceased to function as a government prison in 1963. The prison’s Official closure ensued after the remaining inmates were transferred to alternative government facilities.
Following its closure, Alcatraz Island underwent various transformations. It was inhabited by Native American insurgents in 1969; it is now a National Park Service property.
Alcatraz is a popular tourist destination in addition to a museum and historical site to preserve its illustrious past as a prison,
Tourist Attraction
There were numerous proposals regarding the land’s utilization following the closure of Alcatraz Prison.
Some considered transforming it into a United Nations memorial, whereas others proposed erecting a Statue of Liberty on the West Coast.
From 1969 until that year, when Native Americans reclaimed the island, it was devoid of human habitation.
The original intention was to construct a university and museum, but President Richard Nixon disproved this in 1971.
The island was open to the public for exploration and became a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area one year later. Presently, excursions to the island and the jailhouses are available.
The Park Service assumed control of Alcatraz Island in 1972, and public access commenced in 1973. After its operations, visitors ceased their visits to the island before transforming into a prominent tourist destination.
Alternative proposals for the future of the island and prison included the construction of a hotel and retail district, as well as the erection of a statue.
Each year, approximately one million tourists from around the globe visit the island. Visit an intriguing region of the globe and gain an up-close look at the most renowned prison in the world.
A Tour At The Former Alcatraz Prison
Board an Alcatraz City Cruises ferry to the island of Alcatraz and view the jailhouse from Pier 33 at Alcatraz Landing in San Francisco. Tickets may and do sell out; therefore, purchasing them in advance is advisable.
It takes approximately a 15-minute journey to reach the island via ferry. Individuals ought to set aside two to three hours to thoroughly appreciate the endeavor of touring the entirety of the island.
You will have plenty of time to tour the island and explore. “The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States” is a permanent exhibit that provides visitors with knowledge regarding the history of Alcatraz and the highest incarceration rate in the world.
Additionally, visitors can explore several renowned outdoor areas, including the Recreation Yard and the Rose Garden. Native Americans briefly occupied the island in 1969, leaving behind political symbols.
The Alcatraz Night Tour allows guests to observe Alcatraz Island from an unusual vantage point. This excursion arrives at Alcatraz at dusk and tours the island via a different route than the Day excursion.
Guests can still visit the cell house and undertake the audio tour en route to Alcatraz. In addition, they will have the chance to listen to a live narration concerning the island, in addition to weekly special lectures or demonstrations.
The maximum capacity for the Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour is thirty individuals. Guest visits the basement prison cells, tunnels, and other restricted areas that are off-limits to the general public.
In addition, you can enjoy both the day and night tours if interested. The island has a rich and eventful history, encompassing periods such as the American Indian occupation, the federal penitentiary era, and the presence of the U.S. Army and military prisons.
Despite the jail’s closure in 1963 due to prohibitive maintenance expenses, annual visits remain popular.
Notable places you visit include:
- The Alcatraz Prison
The prison was a three-story building comprising four cell blocks. The prison housed a library, a barbershop, and the warden’s office.
- Gardens of Alcatraz
The United States Army constructed the Gardens of Alcatraz. Flower-filled gardens adorned the island’s slopes before the United States federal government assumed power.
As incarcerated individuals began gardening, Elliot Michener assumed construction duties on a toolshed and a greenhouse in 1941.
Following the prison’s closure, the garden was wilting, but Golden Gate National Parks assisted in its revitalization in 2003.
- Recreation Yard
For recreational purposes, inmates utilized this yard to engage in mental games such as chess.
- Alcatraz Lighthouse
The Alcatraz lighthouse is the oldest on the west coast. The construction of the original lighthouse was in 1854. In 1909, it was replaced by a 95-foot-tall structure.
Conclusion
Why did Alcatraz close? Alcatraz is an island prison in San Francisco Bay that housed some of the most notorious criminals in history. Its location sparks the interest of many people globally.
It is now a well-known component of the national park system; Alcatraz attracts thousands of visitors daily, many of whom make reservations weeks in advance. It is not overly congested, as most people assume.
You will enjoy the audio tour of the cells and the boat journey, which are highlights of the excursion. If you pass by San Francisco, you ought to pay a visit to the renowned prison.
