Inmates lived for the yard. It was the only escape from the daily routine of reform. Morton Sobell, the famed co-defendant of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, would later recount a vivid memory of country music being amplified through the recreation yard. He commented that his leisure time in the yard was almost sacred, and that he never missed a visit for the first three years of his imprisonment. He would also describe the unusual beauty of the prison’s position in the San Francisco Bay in his personal memoir entitled On Doing Time:
... standing on the top of the steps leading down to the prison yard I saw the Golden Gate in all its splendor. It was magnificent, as I absorbed the view I thought to myself, “I will never have such a magnificent view in any other prison.” Prison notwithstanding, I enjoyed it until the day I left. The distant green hills, and the soaring towers of the bridge, with graceful catenary suspended between them, always lifted my spirits.
The recreation period also offered participation in several sports, as well as card games that were played using Tonk brand Dominos in place of standard decks. Playing Bridge was the favorite pastime. Former inmate Jim Quillen stated:
These guys were fanatical about bridge and they knew all of the conventions. The Alcatraz library stocked various Culbertson books, and they memorized them cover-to-cover. They dreamed about Bridge. It was all some of these men thought about. The expert Bridge players held a very special status amongst this circle of inmates. These men caused little trouble to the guards, and always followed the rules to the letter so they could compete.
Inmates could also play shuffleboard, handball or softball. The prison rules differed slightly from the standard regulations with shorter innings, and balls hit over the wall were considered as an out. Fights were commonplace in the yard, whether they were initiated during line-up for the industry details or during recreation periods; the yard could be a violent place. Softball bats were favored weapons and knives were frequently smuggled into the yard as well. With loaded machine guns and high-powered rifles, guards paced back and forth along the perimeter wall catwalks, watching over the inmates. This was a powerful reminder that stepping out of line could be fatal.
Some inmates simply took their time outdoors to connect with the outside world by walking around the yard with friends and smelling the salt ocean air. They would occasionally watch the tour boats cruising the Bay from the yard bleachers, and sometimes they could even smell the aroma of the chocolate and coffee factories on the mainland.
The Mess Hall
A photograph from 1950 showing inmates entering the Mess Hall, nicknamed by prisoners as the “Gas Chamber.” Note the dual locking mechanisms on the open steel barred gate. The redundant lock system included both a remotely controlled electric mechanism and a manual key lock. It took two officers to control access in and out of the Mess Hall.
Inmates marched into the Mess Hall and lined up for their food in the order of their cell assignments.
The floors at Alcatraz were always polished to a glowing shine.
Paul Ritter was known by fellow inmates as the “Brew Master.” He was said to be an expert at making alcoholic beverages.
Inmates filing past the steam tables. Prisoners were allowed to fill their trays with as much food as they wanted, but under strict orders that no waste would be permissible.
The Mess Hall was considered the most dangerous section of the prison for correctional officers. The unarmed floor officers had to supervise almost the entire prison population within a single area. Eating utensils, steak bones, and steaming hot coffee were only a few of the items that could be used as makeshift weapons.
One of the fourteen permanently fixed teargas dispensers in the Mess Hall.
The remote control panel switches used to discharge the fixed teargas canisters in the Dining Hall. The gas release panel was located on the exterior catwalk, from which the officer on duty was able to observe all interior activities in safety.
A photograph of the caged exterior gun gallery and catwalk. The gas release panel was located inside this enclosure.
The Steward’s office inside the prison kitchen, with an officer seated at the desk.
Warden Swope seen in the background inspecting the main kitchen area.
The officers eating area inside the Mess Hall.
Inmate Darwin Coon working inside the bakery.
The interior of the kitchen in 1934.
Knife and utensil storage cabinet.
On holidays, inmates enjoyed special menus and live music played by the prison ensemble.
The inmate orchestra, known as the “Rock Islanders.” This 1949 photograph shows orchestra leader Lloyd Barkdoll (front left) and John Bayless (back right), two of the many men who attempted to escape from Alcatraz.
Prison administration photographs showing before and after images of the Dining Hall, following the 1961 purchase of newer cafeteria-style tables. Former inmate Darwin Coon indicated that the new dining fixtures were extremely popular amongst the prisoner population.
A present-day view of the prison Dining Hall.