Alcatraz provided hot showers for its inmates to discourage them from escaping in the cold bay

Alcatraz the life on 'The Rock'

While it might sound like a hot shower as an escape deterrent is something prisoners would be totally fine with, today it’s just a common occurrence. The heyday of Alcatraz was a different story though. When Alcatraz became a prison in 1934, it was due to prohibition. 

It was the ideal spot at first due to the fact that it was cut off from civilization by the freezing waters and strong currents. If you’ve ever seen Alcatraz, you’d know it’s pretty small. In truth, it only housed 300 people at a time (one of which was Al Capone). Back then, no prisons in the US gave hot showers. Alcatraz was the first. 

Why? It was reasoned that if prisoners were used to hot water, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the cold bay waters during an escape attempt. Did it work? Apparently. Of the 36 who escaped, 23 were easily recaptured, 6 were shot to death, and 2 drowned from the cold waters. 

The other five are presumed to have drowned too. Alcatraz closed back in 1963 due to bad deterioration from the bay air- the same cold wind and fog that had made it so miserable for prisoners. X9FAVJTQHDQR

Other facts about Alcatraz:-

1. Also known as 'The Rock'

2. Used as military prison in 1868

3. Used as federal prison from 1933 until 1963

4. Operated for 29 years

5. The prison had a rule of silence in that inmates were not allowed to talk to each other during work, or during meals.

6. Badly behaved prisoners would be sent to "The Hole" for punishment, a primitive dark cell with nothing but a toilet and wash basin and be forced to sleep on the concrete floor and eat nothing but bread and water for a given period in solitary confinement.

Alvin "Creepy" Karpis

7. Alvin "Creepy" Karpis (who served more time at Alcatraz than any other inmate - 26 years) and he was also listed as Public Enemy #1 succeeding John Dillinger'

8. Al Capone served here four and half years and was transferred back to Atlanta after developing tertiary syphilis. 

9. Nobody as ever successfully escaped from here except for Morris and two other escapees but there is no conclusive evidence stating they were successful thus the case will remain open till their 100th birthday.

10. The prison was closed on 21st March 1963 by John F Kennedy because it costs more to operate than any other prison in USA.

(Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3)

Article by: Zubio®

Inspired by: ting-tong®, Sreefu & 1c3^1c3^13@13y^