ALCATRAZ
A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years
By Michael Esslinger
Introduction by Former Alcatraz Inmate Darwin Coon
ALCATRAZ - A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years
By Michael Esslinger
Original Illustrations by Phil Hall, Mira Kamada, and Philip R. Bergen
Original Copyright: © 2003 by Michael Esslinger
Revised Edition Copyright: 2011
Kindle eBook Edition: 2011
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Cover Design by James Zach
Original Book Design and Composition (Print Version) by John Reinhardt
eBook Design: Joshua Tallent
Cover Photo by Jack Hollingsworth (Getty Images)
Library of Congress Card Number: 00-109107
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Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FOREWORD – By former Alcatraz inmate Darwin Coon
DEDICATION
PREFACE
THE HISTORY OF ALCATRAZ ISLAND
DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION
ALCATRAZ –THE FORTRESS
The Gold Rush
The Casting of a New Prison Concept
THE EARLY YEARS AS A MILITARY PRISON
U.S. Disciplinary Barracks
ALCATRAZ FEDERAL PENITENTIARY
The New Cellhouse
Guard Towers
Warden James A. Johnston
The Guards of Alcatraz
Visitation and Inmate Rights
Transition to a Civilian Prison
The Daily Routine
The Rule of Silence and Strict Regimen
The Alcatraz Dungeon
Solitary Confinement (D Block)
Religious Services and Education
The Prison Industries
The Prison Hospital
Alcatraz in War Time
The Prison Library
The Recreation Yard
The Mess Hall
Warden Edwin Burnham Swope
Warden Paul Joseph Madigan
Warden Olin Guy Blackwell
Family Life
Island Transit
Strikes and Protests
NOTORIOUS INMATES OF ALCATRAZ
ALPHONSE “SCARFACE” CAPONE
THE BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ - THE LIFE AND IMPRISONMENT OF ROBERT FRANKLIN STROUD
ALCATRAZ ON TRIAL - THE LIFE OF HENRI YOUNG
Young Arrives at Alcatraz
Rufus McCain
Alcatraz on Trial
The Hollywood Version
MACHINE GUN KELLY
MORTON SOBELL
ROY GARDNER
ATTEMPTED ESCAPES FROM ALCATRAZ
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #1
Joseph Bowers
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #2
Theodore Cole
Ralph Roe
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #3
Thomas Robert Limerick
James Lucas
Rufus Franklin
The Escape
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #4
THE BARKER-KARPIS GANG AND THE ESCAPE ATTEMPT OF 1939
Arthur “Doc” Barker
Dale Stamphill
Henri Young
William “Ty” Martin
Rufus McCain
Alvin “Creepy” Karpis