Alcatraz

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo k
• Leerjaar 1,2

ALCATRAZ

Have you ever heard of Alcatraz?

1. Yes
2. No

Alcatraz

Alcatraz was the supermax federal prison of its own time. It is famously known for its structure and its nickname of ‘the Rock’. Over the years, it housed approximately 1,545 of America’s most ruthless criminals. Alcatraz Island is located in the heart of San Francisco Bay.

How did it get this name?

The word Alcatraz means ‘strange birds’ or pelicans. This island was named ‘de los alcatraces’ by a Spanish explorer Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775. He was the first person to map the San Francisco Bay.

For how many years did it operated as a federal prison?

This prison operated for 29 years, from 1934 to 1963.

There were 14 escape attempts by 36 prisoners. 6 of them were shot dead, 2 drowned, 5 went missing and 23 were caught.

Early history

It has not always been a military prison. Initially, it was a fort. President Millard Fillmore declared it as a military reservation in 1850. In 1907, it became an official United States military prison and remained till 1933. In 1933, it became a part of the Bureau of Prisons.

How big were the cells in the prison?

The cells in that prison were of the size 1,50 m by 2,75 m. They had a toilet, a sink and a sleeping cot. It was the only federal prison at the time which offered hot water shower.

How many prisoners?

The average number was 260.

Ruthless criminals

The most incorrigible and disobedient inmates in the federal penal system were shifted to this prison.

Al Capone

Al Capone was one of the most famous prisoners. Al Capone was a member of the maffia (mobster) and he was a very bad and violent.

He spent 4.5 years there in the 1930s.

Escape from Alcatraz

On June 11, 1962, three men Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin who were imprisoned in Alcatraz prison successfully escaped their cells and the island too with the help of a makeshift inflatable raft and life vests.
Their fate after entering the bay still remains unknown. Another prisoner Allen Wets had also been the part of their escape plan but he was left behind. At the time of investigation, he helped the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Escape from Alcatraz

A very famous film.

Have you seen it?

It's about Frank Morris. He is a very smart.

John Paul Scott

In 1962, John Paul Scott squeezed himself through a window and swam to shore. Later, he was found by the police at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

01:10

What is concrete?

1. concreet
2. beton
3. steen

01:29

How many keys do you need to open a cell in Alcatraz?

1. 0
2. 1
3. 2
4. 3

02:25

What kind of prisoners were in Alcatraz?

1. nice prisoners because there is no fence
2. the worst of the worst
3. prisoners with minor offences

03:28

What about the steel bars?

1. They can be cut
2. They can't be cut
3. They are very wide
4. They are very cold

04:16

Why is the prison nicknamed 'the slammer'?

1. Because of the sound the steel doors make when they close.
2. Because slammer means handcuffed.

04:50

Why does Alcatraz have no fence?

1. Icy water with a strong current.
2. Prisoners couldn't swim.
3. They were allowed to leave
4. There was a fence

05:27

How did they dig a hole in the wall?

1. spoon
2. knife
3. fork
4. hands

07:26

Why did Alcrataz close down?

1. It was a bad prison for the prisoners.
2. The prison became too small.
3. There was no water in the cells.
4. The concrete was crumbly because of the seawater