What It Was Like To Be An Inmate At Alcatraz

The federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island, located off the coast of San Francisco, CA, opened in 1934. Until it closed nearly three decades later, Alcatraz was reserved for some of the most ruthless criminals. Life at Alcatraz was not just about confinement and punishment but discipline and routine. Not everything about Alcatraz was considered undesirable; in fact, some convicts even requested doing time at "The Rock."
#Alcatraz #HistoryOfAlcatraz #WeirdHistory

[@Polymathically]

I was lucky enough to sleep overnight on Alcatraz for a weekend. This was about 25 years ago, when I was in the Boy Scouts. We did some volunteer cleanup and got a private tour. That place is much, _much_ creepier at night after all the tourists leave. The fog rolls in, and you can't see the city anymore. It's like you're trapped in this little pocket of reality where nothing exists but the island. On the other hand, the audio tour is way more interesting when you don't have to deal with the crowds. We got to sleep in cells in Block D, but of course we brought our own sleeping bags. Looking back, that was such a great and unique experience.

[@MP-Fin]

Polymathically wow really? Sounds awesome. Been a scout for 21 years myself.

[@MrProfessorLightyear]

dope

[@LilBleus]

Cool, I recently took a trip to San Francisco to tour alcatraz too.

[@Lysergic_]

@@MP-Fin lmao

[@Polymathically]

@deekat3279 No ghosts, but it's as creepy as you'd think an old, empty building/deserted island shrouded in fog in the middle of the night would be. I mean, it was well-lit and there were about a dozen of us, but still. It was like the setting for a slasher movie.

[@spaceman081447]

During the early 2000s, I was on a tour of Alcatraz. I volunteered to spend a minute in "the hole" (solitary confinement). It was TOTALLY dark and quiet. It was "interesting", to say the least. I understand that some prisoners, to pass the time in the hole, would tear a button off their shirts, fling it randomly somewhere in the cell and spend much time feeling around trying to find that button.

[@violet8248]

I visited there too and went into one of those cells for just a second. They didn’t close the door but I still almost had a panic attack just by being in there. I still swear to this day that I felt SOMETHING in there with me. I didn't see anything but there is definitely some bad energy left in that place at least.

[@hulandanner8320]

Jerry Graham named his testimony book, Where Flies Don’t Land. Based on time spent in the hole at San Quentin!

[@forbiddentoast158]

rryrtetttèreŕeŕŕaterertwŕŕqqŕtwtqqqqqwtyayaayayaaaaggagaaaafffhdfhfhadfgvzcçcVhahaa6qqqäýryaughadfHfFHTyathhsffCHHCHçŔÀRHaŕyayařyaaaŕ6ar6qaþyaŕuaqqaŕuaŕùauua676q6qq6666a juujuauayyauuu8j7j7JJfuajù7qUaaaaùgŕgģyþygggug7g7g77g77ugvŕgvrvrvrvvrggrvgrvrvrfggrrrrhbtbrbrbbþhjjjjhjþjjtuutuuquauquaiaiaiaiajjakakajakajajakanananann7n77n77n7h7h7q7h7h7hq7h7hq7hq7y7qy77y7y7yq7y7y7g77bhuutut

[@Quoteory]

@@forbiddentoast158 you ok?

[@JohnSmith47534]

@@Quoteory looks like the bad energy got to him

[@renegaderick8804]

Only one correction. The prisons tap put out warm water. This was done so that the prisoners adjusted to the warmth so that any escape attempt would be harder for them since the water surrounding the prison was freezing. Kudos to the person who came up with this. Shows they really put some thought into it and thought about the small details. For a time the prison didnt seem to be that bad but the living conditions seemed to rapidly decline in the later years.

[@mandiemoore3272]

I had read this years ago and documentary style paper that was written about the three people who might have successfully escaped although they were never found a live outside of Alcatraz you know the whole story I'm sure but yeah I did really remember hearing that they're never allowed to take cold showers so they don't get used to the cold water in the San Francisco Bay

[@williethebaker6714]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHq2pGVri7mXf5Y

[@heyitsvos]

Pretty clever and cool tidbit if true. I'm too lazy to research it myself 😂

[@spingleboygle]

damn, good food AND warm water? alcatraz sounds better than the average public school!

[@Yogagirl9935]

I’ve visited & read several books about Alcatraz. Both written by former inmates or guards or children of guards that lived on the island. It’s interesting how some of the inmates really turned their lives around & later lived productive lives, while some, by their language in their book, etc, still had the mentality of a convict. Probably the best book I’ve read was “Alcatraz Screw” (term for a guard) who worked there for several years, while he went to school to be a chiropractor. I felt that his experience there was well written and informative.

[@clonkers]

this sounds like someone describing a home without wifi

[@fredrikasinclair7675]

Yup

[@SavageCucumber0]

He sounds like Matthew McConaughey

[@imnothere5713]

USNUANAN

[@imnothere5713]

NO

[@alexcordero4332]

No school

[@williamjameslehy1341]

Alcatraz was considered shockingly cruel and inhumane in its day, and yet it sounds like a 5 star resort compared to California's prison system of the early 21st Century.

[@grantmclean4744]

100 times less likely to be raped or stabbed too.

[@infamousElle]

Lies.

[@canadianmoth]

Haha no it wasnt

[@sailingjacobe]

no it wasnt. Get your facts strait hoss.

[@jessejive117]

Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili if you are caught stabbing or raping a prisoner in prison, you should be executed. There are so many cameras. Left wingers don’t actually like to punish people they want to let those rapist and murderer‘s in prison off with slaps on the wrist..:

[@bayanimargate7474]

It’s still interesting to me that they were allowed to smoke but not allowed to talk. I learned about this while working on pier 9 scheduling tickets for Alcatraz tours through the Hornblower

[@allninelivez7631]

Me: *goes to Alcatraz* Random Announcer: "Fetch me their SOULS!"

[@kurros1270]

*Brutus has entered the server*

[@thebigiron6110]

*pulls out revolver*

[@ralphlorenzperolino3054]

Blood of The Dead in a nutshell

[@Neglected-Nostalgia]

@@ralphlorenzperolino3054 Back in my day, we called it "Mob of the dead"

[@ralphlorenzperolino3054]

@Shawn Pha9 It's in Black Ops 4. Mob of The Dead didn't have any hellhounds and wasn't part of the Aether story until Blood of The Dead came where the Primis crew ventured the prison and hellhounds have appeared.

[@iizg208]

“Their bodies where never found” sounds like they got away with it.

[@angeliverson3884]

@Batman The Dark Knight even tho their stuff was found on shore and the next day someone had their car robbed by 3 men, dumbasd

[@LilBleus]

Batman The Dark Knight there is no proof as to if they died or escaped, but they most likely died.

[@kystars]

@Batman The Dark Knight wow you call him a name and we also see you know all the facts. The typical keyboard warrior

[@MindOfSheesh]

@Batman The Dark Knight Batman do some detective shit to see if they're still alive

[@leeneale8776]

@Batman The Dark Knight slight problem......no proof

[@ashtray8167]

me: oh it had psychiatric hospice needs? cool! me: *realizes it was 1950s* oh

[@dense_and_dull]

My thoughts too! Can't imagine the psychiatric care had any positive effect...

[@dense_and_dull]

@Reddit tea Same, except I spent a year of my childhood in and out of hospitals. Had it been the 50's, I would have went in and never came out.

[@Blake12354]

To quote family guy “they whip em with hoses, outside!”

[@notods]

“ “

[@iriss9146]

My grandmother had electric shock therapy for depression in the late 50s, she’s 90 now but she always been a lil fucked from it

[@DRock1042]

I bought Jim Quillen's book while meeting him at Alcatraz and he signed it for me. Very good read and an incredible story of him turning his life around. Nice guy, too.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Anyone interested in this has to find a copy of "On the Rock" by Alvin Karpis. He was a former Public Enemy #1, and was the head of the infamous Ma Barker gang. He was also a criminal genius. He was at Alcatraz for 26 years, and his book is an amazing history of all the other famous criminals also locked up at Alcatraz, the various escape attempts, and the day to day life at the prison.

[@ambriellemason9372]

I was in Alcatraz

[@deemz312]

must of not been much of a criminal genius if he was in Alcatraz

[@ostrich67]

@@deemz312 Everyone gets pinched.

[@deemz312]

@@ostrich67 that is so far from true.

[@emapple8298]

interesting how prisoners get better food than students in public schools

[@saquancarpenter6612]

FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT TY

[@infamousElle]

That is a lie. Better than normal prison food doesn't mean GOOD food.

[@alejandroleguizamo7722]

EmDrew Appleby That was decades ago as well. Current prison food is horrible (I used to work in one), makes the whole place smell of old boiled cabbage.

[@joncrazy4132]

😂😂😂😂😂 CLEARLY you've never been incarcerated!!! Better lower ur expectations by a million if u ever find urself going!! To mention to cpl reasons: weirdo "lunch-MEN" don't serve the food at a school right after they stir ur instant mashed potatoes with their PERSONAL "sausage" after adding their personal special sause! And forget easily getting 2 plates. Can't even get fresh milk much less chocolate milk! Only powered milk! Don't bother "suitcasing" some change for ice cream cuz it dont exsist in there either. Can't bring ur own lunch! Chow hall is most likely place to get stabbed! And I could go on and on an ON!!

[@alejandroleguizamo7722]

@Dave Pawson - What do you think of Norwegian prisons (google them). What do you think would be the impact of doing something like that here in the U.S., regardless of whether it could happen or not?

[@MrBlitzpunk]

Well that's actually not as bad as i was lead to believe.

[@notafuckinpplperson8233]

Akram Safirul it was much worse. this was a terrible "history" film actually. he didn't even mention the "standing cells" it was a tiny cell where prisoners were locked in, in the standing position. so tiny that they couldn't even sit or turn. think of a gestation crate for humans. accept the pigs had it better in their gestation crates. they could at least move a few inches forward and back and actually lay down. this is 1 of many things that was left out from this video.

[@kattberckley7811]

...but dude... 24hrs in dark alone in solitary

[@crazychashews]

@@kattberckley7811 breaking knees doesn't sound too fun either. neither sounds fun though, that's for sure.

[@totallyfrozen]

NotAFuckinPplPerson Cite your source. The US Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment of citizens. Your tale is the first time I’ve heard of Alcatraz using this practice. It sounds more like something from the USSR or North Korea.

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

It was horrible! They probably don’t want to demonetization...

[@JoeyVSupreme]

The tour is absolutely worth going. I remember a part of the narration, I think by the Birdman, who said that every New Years, in the southwest corner cells, at least one person would lose their minds. You can absolutely hear and see San Francisco from that corner, and the Yatch Club always had their New Years party. And you could hear the bands always playing and fireworks. Imagine being stuck in one of the most isolated prisons ever, and hearing people party and be happy.

[@philpreston6406]

I went to the united states in 2008, and visited Alcatraz. It affected me - looking at those tiny cells. I tried to imagine, how incredibly hard, it must have been to stay sane. The isolation, and discipline enforced, obviously took its toll on quite a few prisoners.

[@drydesert8036]

Wow if only our inner city kids could see the inside of prisons and visit with knowledgeable inmates wanting to help keep at least one child out off trouble and jail/prison. I think there are already programs doing something like this already. Save a kid today, saves a adult later... Just Hoping And Praying.

[@gradycole3987]

@@drydesert8036 truly a bad take

[@nahjaealcorn7011]

@@drydesert8036 you missed the whole point..

[@zeebee3606]

@Phil Preston Hey man hope ur doin alright 🙏 I know coming to the states n taking an alcatraz tour can deeply affect even the strongest of ppl, but I won't even pretend to understand what u went thru that day. I got bundles of gud vibez headed ur way right now. Take care and thank u for the metaphorical martyrdom u performed 😢

[@BlueFlash215]

@@drydesert8036 it doesn't work that way

[@micahvr]

u forgot about the part where u ended up fighting zombies

[@Tom-qp6oh]

I play the Battle of Alcatraz on my PS4 everyday! I usually land at the water tower.

[@billygunn4884]

I hope you mean mob of the dead oh man was that fun

[@jahjahbinks5992]

Tom D battle of alcatraz huh?

[@Tom-qp6oh]

@@jahjahbinks5992 Black Ops 4 blackout has an Alcatraz Battle Royale mode. It's Awesome!

[@jaredl47]

Mob of the dead and blood of the dead

[@rickkinki4624]

I met Jim Quilan on the Island, years after his release, and he autographed his book for me. He was a very interesting character, not nearly the bad guy most of the inmates were. He'd robbed a post office in an effort to obtain money to feed his sister, and everything went wrong.

[@jamessaculla9593]

I met him there also. He was a kind man who spoke to everyone and answered all questions. I bought his book and he autographed it too. Sadly,he's no longer with us.

[@adinace]

Almost sounds like the real life Jean Valjean

[@davidmmm8]

You just can’t steal stuff anymore.... Cameras everywhere.

[@gamerxd6149]

Ready for the hot seat? Reebok X Hot Ones. AVAILABLE 11/19

[@shredcycles2003]

@@davidmmm8 nah man still posible 😏

[@sonnycorleone4964]

Thank you for showing us the history , violence and action scenes of Alcatraz...Instead of just showing a narrator's face just talking about it. Most of the audience appreciates that.

[@kevin-jg5nq]

My wife and I visited Alcatraz in 2021. It was both fascinating and spooky and we nearly froze on the boat trip to the island.

[@KateRambo]

The Battle of Alcatraz is probably the greatest prison siege that ever occurred.

[@KateRambo]

Keyser Sozie That’s your opinion but whereas Attica was about prison reformation and included a lot more people, Alcatraz was more about escaping the island. I find it more interesting, personally.

[@miklosernoehazy8678]

...check out the made for TV movie "Six Against The Rock" starring David Carridine (it was made in the late 1980's, and you can find it on KZbin)... ...I was an extra playing one of the convicts... ...I can be seen pretty clearly, although in passing, in a couple of shots of a work detail line-up... ...it was a very cool experience getting to meet David Carridine, Jan-Micheal Vincent, and Howard Hesseman (better known as Dr. Johnny Fever from "WKRP in Cincinnati")...

[@KateRambo]

Miklos Ernoehazy really enjoy that movie, bet it was fun to behind the scenes on it!

[@ellieperry4194]

Miklos Ernoehazy Wow that sounds super fun and interesting thing to do

[@brunoglopes]

Look up the Carandiru Massacre. Edit: I don’t know if it was greater than the Alcatraz riot, but you’ll certainly find it interesting (and sad).

[@PavusthePug]

Access to doctors? Including to psychiatric help AND dental? They were living better than me as a college student in 2019.

[@PavusthePug]

@666LaVey666 Lying about what part? Being a college student, or not being able to afford basic health care? Because both 100% true.

[@PavusthePug]

@666LaVey666 You must be sooo fun at parties. I actually feel a little bad for you not being able to comprehend jokes.

[@donnebes9421]

Pavus The Pug snowflake.

[@PavusthePug]

@@donnebes9421 Ok boomer

[@mrschuyler]

@@PavusthePug That's short for "Would you like fries with that?"

[@DeniseFactor]

Alcatraz had a gift shop when my girlfriend and I visited in 1993. Not only that but Jim Quillen, showed and mentioned in this video, was actually there signing copies of his book. He was obviously an old man by this time and had known freedom for quite some time.

[@thetorontogirl]

"The Snitch Box." That is the name that will be used for a metal detector from now on. I don't care what you say!

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

Ksenia, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL A LIE DETECTOR? HOW ABOUT : A "BITCH BOX" Norma Jean Morrisry

[@allforbreezy5755]

you good?

[@shesaknitter]

I did the Alcatraz tour many years ago and it was fascinating. One thing I remember them telling us was that the food was so good because they wanted to avoid riots. One easy path to riots is feeding hundreds of potentially violent men poor food.

[@sashamoore9691]

Glad they don’t do that anymore. They deserve to eat shut every day

[@BlueFlash215]

@@sashamoore9691 You can see the wealth and culture of a country by looking how they treat their inmates.

[@sillygooselol2757]

Funny how prisons are better then homeless shelters

[@JeffersonSteelflexx]

TheAmazingEmily 11 sure but a lot more dangerous and intimidating for the most part

[@babalon7778]

@@JeffersonSteelflexx That depends on the shelter, seriously. There's a reason why most homeless people don't want to go to them.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

It's a shame that we need so many of both. We didn't have near as many homeless shelters when I was a kid. There was the YMCA and some "soup kitchens" but the homeless problem was not so big. The closing of a great number of government mental hospitals and the insurgence of illegal drugs has made everything worse. Too many of the homeless people have legitimate mental conditions and drugs just make everything worse.

[@capybun]

@@bernardoserrano480 wow people choose to be homeless? RIP logic

[@ormancadam6453]

So it makes sense to commit a crime for a homeless dude.

[@basitjj2095]

Imagine paying for a tour when u can just play this map on zombies

[@apollogames4680]

Or the Rebirth event in Warzone

[@brandonmorris5108]

Lol

[@Duckduckgoose17]

Exactly

[@CorrosiveRoulette]

It’s not the same; didn’t pay for it myself but it’s surreal to actually be in Alcatraz

[@milkberry698]

Or play call of duty mobile - battle royale Alcatraz map

[@Halo17]

I also took a tour many years ago, it was facinating. A person could actually feel the despair in the atmosphere. I remember the last menu was still up in the board in the cafeteria.

[@Bigfoot_With_Internet_Access]

I'm glad I just live way out here in the woods, I'd hate be locked up somewhere like that

[@anewspinonthings]

Your comment had me confused untill I looked at your name

[@JamesLee-lk4kx]

You have the right idea brother.id like to live in the woods away from everyone myself,and self sustain.

[@moderndaywyattearp5792]

Sorry about my dad hitting you with our station wagon. Glad to see you’re doing good.

[@jimmyshrimbe9361]

Just Some Bigfoot With Internet Access could you block me, please?

[@krishnaswainpiano4129]

Omg ur real!

[@rocketsauce8099]

Title should be: "Narrator reads the whole Alcatraz Wikipedia page".

[@aryanna9023]

RocketSauce well where is he supposed to get the information? I’d rather him read it to me then read it myself.

[@noir5124]

aryanna LMAOOOO

[@backinblood3218]

aryanna exactly

[@rocketsauce8099]

That wasn't my point. I don't have a problem with him getting information from Wikipedia, just that he makes a video out of it without adding anything else. It just feels like a 3rd grade fact-listing presentation.

[@backinblood3218]

RocketSauce it sounds like you did have a problem with it. Otherwise you wouldn’t have pointed it out. But I see what your saying

[@adape0884frank]

My dad lived in SanFrancisco, CA and back when the Anglin Brothers and Frank Morris escaped it was a big talk around the whole entire city.

[@CarimboHanky]

"$60 tour for the whole family" when was that back in the 90s?! i was in san francisco in 2019 and the tour was around $75 per person

[@saucejohnson9862]

Damn, as notorious as the name is, Alcatraz seemed better than most prisons, even today.

[@hoodie4439]

@ShadowAngel well... yeah but i don't think a theif should go through 21st century American prisons

[@Littlemeast12Animations]

It feeds prisoners better than schools feed students

[@void-xt8pw]

@ShadowAngel Prisons should not be about punishment but reform. Finland has a very humane prison system where prisoners aren't literally abused daily and compared to other countries there rearrest rate is pretty low.

[@gagetaylor192]

@ShadowAngel Causing everybody who goes to prison suffering means you're causing pain and torture to all kinds of people who aren't necessarily bad. Some people get falsely convicted, others make a stupid mistake, some get locked up trying to put food on the table. Not everybody who goes to prison is a child rapist or a serial murderer. Prison should be about reform. To hopefully mold people so they can have a second chance in life that everybody deserves. You know what prison does right now? Turns all of those once innocent people into even worse criminals than before they went in. Most prisons you're forced to associate yourself with bad people to have your back and you have to learn to fight for your life. Why does somebody who only ever sold drugs or something deserve that?

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

Alcatraces is Spanish for pelicans who inhabited the island. I guess it didn't sound so awfully scary to tell a prisoner I am sending you to the "Pelicans"! If you misbehave, you will have to help the "Birdman" feed them. Guess that's why the name change! Norma Jean Morrissey

[@xotl2780]

Those three inmates (the Anglin Brothers + Frank Morris) definitely lived to see another sunrise btw.

[@rexlint2520]

Oh I guarantee you that they lived as free men for a long time after they escaped. But the entire thing has been covered up. They don't want people to know the truth

[@starmorpheus]

What's your proof of that?

[@rexlint2520]

@@starmorpheus do some research.

[@bimobop]

@@rexlint2520 lol I dont feel like proving it just google conspiracy theories

[@xotl2780]

@@rexlint2520 All of the information that could lead people to the conclusion I put forth is in the public domain. The only consideration the government gives this case at all at this point is to leave it open until 50 years has passed since the escape incident, at which point all of them are sure to be pretty damn dead, if they aren't somehow yet pretty damn dead.

[@hollybennett4521]

I've been, and it was very interesting. The audio tour I listened to was easily the best audio tour I have ever been on, it was very informative, and not bring at all. When I was leaving, we walked through the gift shop, and a lady names Jolene Babyak (I believe I have spelled this wrong, my apologies). She was one of the children who lives on the island. Not for a crime but because many or guards lived on the island in their own houses outside the jail, but on the island. Apparently it was quite a nice life, and they didn't ever socialize with the inmates. She was there, and she was signing her book, which is sold on the island. It is all about the escape, and the way they escaped, along with the theories that surround it. I have yet to read it, but when I do, I am sure it will be very interesting, and I am excited to read it.

[@greymarket6834]

I went to Alcatraz as a kid and met Jim Quillen. He was there signing his book which i still have and read every few years.

[@Silveryback]

Whoa!

[@michaelb.42112]

Jim Quillen seems so mellow these days. What a class act.

[@johnnywas1127]

Yea I met him in 1995 ish and bought his book, cool experience

[@flyhiproductions902]

Would love to read this book

[@kaptenblod6877]

I seriousely read: What it was like to be intimate at Alcatraz.

[@CashelOConnolly]

I’m sure that happened too

[@anniebellemiller2986]

Don't drop the soap!

[@spencer6874]

??

[@debbieschultz9768]

It was far from being a picnic!

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

Kapten It would be a bit difficult to be "INTIMATE" in Alcatraz. Remember each man had his own cell!! Of course there is always shower time & dropping the soap.♡♡ NJM

[@Mephitinae]

You can read books in your own room all day, nobody speaks a word, and you get 3 free meals a day? Damn, this sounds way better than any school I went to!

[@Mephitinae]

@666LaVey666 Okay sure, take me to the nearest time machine and let's go to the 1930's

[@NukaCola6962]

The foods sounds better and probably taste better then my school food. I do want to go to one restaurant that serves exact meals from Alcatraz

[@yeegageega5292]

@666LaVey666 = clown

[@cosmoseer1834]

That is if you were good. You forgot they worked also.

[@toogaytolift9176]

@666LaVey666 stfu incel

[@alanparks7919]

I’ve toured Alcatraz a number of times. Fascinating place, but glad we could leave! We got to meet Jim Quillin one time there, and another ex-inmate on another visit, who was selling his book.

[@jerlewis4291]

Had an uncle that was a guard there for many years. He said one of the things that no one talks about is that many nights it you could smell food from San Fransisco, especially the Ghirardelli factory. Sid it drove the prisoners nuts. Also, you were not allowed to work out in any way during your yard time, no running, no weights, all you could do was walk around. After 4 weeks there most guys were already starting to get soft. And that is why they dit it. He said no one ever went crazy, most prisoners accepted their fate and knew of one too many people that the Rock broke. Years later he was at a birthday party and a guy came up who was a former prisoner and they talked. He said being at Alcatraz made him legendary to people. They were both in note Army at Schofield Barracks it turns out, my uncle was with an Infantry Platoon and the other guy was a finance clerk.. The guy told my uncle that he was in the Disciplinary Barracks at Schofield and compared to that Alcatraz was a walk in the park.

[@willaandrews7283]

“A big red bridge and an abandoned prison” yep, sounds about right

[@joshuaroe1402]

Well the rest of the city is just piles of human waste and used needles so....yeah.

[@misterrickyg]

😀

[@ourtime-downhere6931]

Jacob Murphy Sadly, that's not far off. I went there again several months ago and was surprised. I didn't remember it being that bad when I was younger but maybe I just didn't notice. Now a ton of them have come up to my hometown of Portland and it's become a complete shit hole as well, we ended up moving across the river to get out.

[@bloodyraptor6251]

@@joshuaroe1402 and 1,000,000 dollar studios

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

I guess that means Goldengate Bridge and Alcatraz (Pelican Island) Norma Jean

[@tombruner9634]

I visited Alcatraz in the early '90s, and met Mr. Quillen while there. He had written a book about the place "Alcatraz from Inside", and was onsite selling it as part of some program. I bought a copy, and Mr. Quillen signed it. We had a few minutes to chat. I had been in the Navy for some time, and knew that it was fairly common for sailors to hate their ship while on it, but afterwards would become a proud former crew member. So I asked Mr. Quillen if there was a similar phenomenon among Alcatraz alumni. He said no, and went on to deny ever going to the actual prison after being discharged. The book event was in the gift shop, outside the prison proper, so I had no reason to disbelieve him, until I read the book and saw pictures of him showing off various parts of the prison for the book. So with that one exception I suppose. The few minutes that we spent talking led me to believe that Mr. Quillen and I had virtually nothing in common, and most likely would never become friends under any circumstances. He was a kidnapper, and never denied that he was a hardened criminal. I suspect that most of the men there would be equally difficult to form a friendship with.

[@mikewells9988]

Alcatraz : the highlight of the San Francisco vacation. No poop on the street or hypodermics

[@carolinewaite7185]

A great video and very interesting. I knew some of the facts but you have enlightened me on a lot more. Look forward as always to the next video. Alcatraz has always fascinated me and one day would love to visit from England. Thank you and Happy 2021!

[@williethebaker6714]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHq2pGVri7mXf5Y

[@BeefBroccol1]

This sounds like a private school

[@jinhitentertainment2040]

No not at all I go to one it’s not fun

[@Fernando_Woolybooger]

I went to boarding school. It was awesome. Smoked a LOT of weed and got to "lay" with the ladies ALL the time. Best years of my life!

[@CTcuber4K]

But how did the inmates survive with all the zombies running around and the warden spawning every 5 rounds. edit: so do comments normally have a second wave, this capped at around 300 likes for so long and in the passed week started going up again? maybe youtube randomly recommended this to a bunch of people again.

[@TheWeasel813]

CTCuberHD they got the ray gun and blundergat

[@pewnewsgloria6749]

They tried building a plan but it crashed on a bridge

[@ivy8858]

LMAO I was hoping someone could say something about cod

[@Jonjs99]

you are stupid

[@Postshamone]

😂

[@lehmanbrad007]

I toured Alcatraz once when a former inmate was there signing his book about the time he spent there. His name was Jim Quillen. Pretty awesome!

[@uttermanbo]

This is like a day at the spa compared to many prisons in more brutal parts of the world.

[@bostjules6176]

I definitely agree with what you posted... but know also that brutality goes on everyday in north american prisons that the public knows nothing about. I'm Canadian and have been in and out of prisons most of my life. I'm a rehabilitated career criminal that has suffered many first hand incidents of brutality. Prison life anywhere is very intense to the point that I've witnessed many acts of violence and suicide. Thanks Bud for just letting me vent.😉

[@uttermanbo]

@@bostjules6176 I'm glad you are out, and I thank you for sharing your story. I only speak on what I've seen while oversees in my deployment in the Air Force. Many people aren't even afforded a blanket, shoes, or one square meal. I have talked to people who have been in prison here(in the States) , and it's no picnic. I would never want to know what I would resort to if somebody tried to violate me. All civility flies out at that point, not to even breach the subject of psychological distress.

[@monicapyle]

The band idea is great. Music can often be a soothing hobby. I'd much rather inmates pick up instruments instead of picking up weights.

[@Jack.Martson]

Ms.MonicaPyle music is the way of life and what helps people get together sometimes

[@monicapyle]

@@Jack.Martson I agree. My father was a music teacher for 42 years and I play a couple of instruments myself.

[@Lysergic_]

@666LaVey666 "Just because i do not believe anyone deserves to die, doesn't mean i wouldn't kill you if you give me a reason to do so" actually that's exactly what it means. If someone gives you a reason to kill them, then they deserve to die. But you also think nobody deserves to die. Also stop trying to take the moral high ground when you're stooping below the other commentors level by insulting their dead brother. Also because you kept acting like that you also make me realize that you yourself are the scumbag. "You pretty much lumped inmates as a whole AND NOT specific to Alcatraz inmates" no actually he did refer to alcatraz, considering that this video was about alcatraz. It's not hard to realize the context of something if you use critical thinking.

[@specializedchemicals6669]

This thread is just full of toxic people. Get some help. The only good one in this thread is Frank.

[@rickeydart3040]

Frank is literally the only one I like here.

[@highoctanegames]

The thing is, that an inmate that went here can realistically alive, if it was in the early 1960s and they were in their 20s, they would be in their 70s-80s

[@elbuki4006]

No way after being in this jail, they wouldn't be good enough mentally to last in its 70's

[@highoctanegames]

@@elbuki4006 Well it's possible

[@highoctanegames]

@UCCgheTXFjaI5jodpfujznsA interesting

[@jessicagonzalez_1995]

El Buki actually I went on an Alcatraz tour a few years ago and a former inmate was there doing a book signing. His name is William G. Baker. Pretty cool experience

[@highoctanegames]

@@jessicagonzalez_1995 definitely

[@sparkytdg]

Been there at least ten times over the last 35 to 40 years. VERY neat tour. The first time I went it looked like nothing had been touched since the 40's, most passages and several blocks closed and you could only look out on the yard, into the dining hall and see the barber and Docs from a good 50' away. s lot of stuff was mushy and moldy like it had been sitting in water for years... Duh huh... Last time I went, we got to go out into the yard (I still have photos from every trip near that area either looking through a port and seeing SF over the yard, or from the yard top steps looking at SF), into the dinning hall, into a few cells, I've been in the solitary cells many times and yes, they would drive a man crazy. I would suggest taking the tape tour. Unless you are with a person who has studied the Rock to the point of even knowing Cell numbers. I even own a few books about Alcatraz written and signed by some of the later inmates.

[@francescapecora818]

i remember going there as a child. it was so scary because i think there were a couple people alive that lived on the island.

[@YouTubeLate]

“The Art of Color Mixing” I thought that was a book about race integration there for a second.

[@A2D4]

Miguel Sanchez 🤣

[@corn-fedwhiteboy3543]

Same here lol

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

What does, The Art of Color Mixing mean? Was it the 1948 integration of U.S. armed forces? Choosing a tasteful outfit for a party? A book for artists who do water colors? I've run out of silly ideas. What is it? NORMA JEAN MORRISSEY

[@zakariyamohamed6388]

color mixing is painting.

[@quartzboye]

The food was of course better then any food at any public school. : |

[@leeroykd1238]

Funny how the government treated the criminals better than the homeless and poors

[@bellamaster6876]

It seems way better

[@Ares-jn7cl]

I think it's because the cooks were also inmates there, so they could really pour their heart and soul into it.

[@annaji4]

The food was only good because it insured there would be no riots. But even now prison food is better than school food because the government in the U.S spends more funds on prison than school

[@jo.4566]

Wait you guys get lunch at public schools?

[@lc2748]

Excellent video! Thank you.

[@MiniJpzVEVO]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnu4dmOeo8qDi6c

[@davidwelch5186]

In 1970 I was incarcerated at Pentridge Prison, Melbourne Australia for 9 months.. smuggling LSD in the mail. It was a old style prison. build in 1850 my job was to take supplies with a push cart to the different divisions. H division was max.. men were housed in 2 rooms for each man. The inside room had a toilet and bed. The outside room had 2small doors. One door had big rocks go in and the prisoners shovel out gravel from the little door. Guard were above the cells on a platform. Pentridge is closed now. Somethings you don’t forget. Pentridge is one of them.I was 20 at the time.

[@niki7716]

I stood inside one of those solitary cells when I was there. If I put out both of my arms to either side of me, I could essentially touch the door to the back wall. Imagine the darkness, in this small crate of a cell.

[@davidcopson5800]

I'd rather not.

[@Johnny-lr5jt]

I would be more concerned about the innocent victims of the crimes they committed. But hey, that's just me.

[@juancarlosnegron2358]

Been there done that.

[@MegaJared2]

I remember in high school our history teacher had us do a huge project/report on any decade of our choosing. I chose the 60s, and boy was it interesting. Lol. Learned a lot about the escape from Alcatraz

[@amberjones9520]

My mom was born in 1960 and i was always jealous that she got to grow up in that decade and was a teenager in the 70s. I didnt come along until 1978.

[@onenation1130]

Another good Alcatraz History Lesson kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpyqmWxuo7qHn7M

[@MegaJared2]

@@amberjones9520 it was crazy. JFK assassination, Cuban missile crisis, escape from Alcatraz.... the 60s was insane lol

[@ryanlewis5876]

The band should’ve been called “The Rock Band.”

[@Shadamyfan-rs8xc]

Lol

[@birdflyer1710]

Thanks for the video! Lots of cool information. Pretty cool how they had books and such delivered to them!

[@mr.personhumanson6871]

Al Capone auditioned for a position in the Alcatraz band by playing the rusty trombone on the warden, who was delighted by his performance.

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

Al became the most talented of the Alcatraz rock and roll band!

[@aloismann8675]

How about a "what it was like to be a Samurai"

[@cartoonken5060]

you had a sword and killed people?

[@achxd]

@Batman The Dark Knight how does that make him wish to be Japanese?? how can you be this stupid

[@Funnyvideocomp]

@@achxd facts

[@aminyashed8116]

@@cartoonken5060 you can be interested in Japanese history without being a weeb

[@cartoonken5060]

Batman The Dark Knight that’s like someone asking “what was it like to be a german during WWII?” and you call him a nazi

[@mikekuhn6216]

Very informative. During my stint in the USAF as an Air Policeman I was assigned to the Confinement Section. We received and processed AWOLs from the Army, Navy and Marines plus any caught while assigned to the base. It was restrictive, but not really punitive as most were waiting a return to their regular duty base. They had various duty assignments on base, and medium custodies were guarded for work routine. They were marched 3 times daily to the Mess Hall for meals. There was daily "mail call" and TV in the evening. Lights out at 2300, up at 0500. It was very good duty for the guards and I enjoyed the assignment; however, 6/5/67, was discharge day and I returned to our Illinois farm to enter college.

[@btetschner]

A+ video! LOVE IT! The sheer whisper of Alcatraz is like a ghost story!

[@buildtherobots]

There is, or at least used to be, a program that allowed groups to stay on the island overnight in the D-block section and get a special in-depth tour to areas in the prison not available to regular tour groups. The catch is that the group pays a fee for the salary of the park ranger who stays on the island overnight with your group. Also you have to do a service project while you're there, usually a few hours spent cleaning to help maintain the monument. The groups were chosen by lottery and I was lucky enough to be in one of the groups that got picked. It was a group made up of the local girl scout and boy scout troops. We got to tour the hospital upstairs and the workhouse on the other end of the island. Overnight we stayed in individual cells on D-block and could choose to set up a sleeping bag in "the hole" if we were feeling adventurous. When the windows were open you could hear the sound of the city and see the lights. I would imagine that being incarcerated there with such a monotonous routine and being able to hear and see freedom but not get to it would be maddening.

[@conniecrawford5231]

buildtherobots This is a serious question - where were the toilets for overnight guests? I hope you didn’t have to use the cell toilets? What about shower facilities? It sounds like scouts and student groups would enjoy the unique experience.

[@MrScorpianwarrior]

In the comments above this one, a guy named Polymathically said the same thing! Were you guys at the prison at the same time per chance?

[@buildtherobots]

@@conniecrawford5231 the toilets inside the cells were filled in with cement. We weren't there long enough to need to shower. The bathroom available to us was a modern national park single occupancy building just outside of the main entrance to the prison. It was the same bathroom that park visitors used during the day.

[@buildtherobots]

@@MrScorpianwarrior I just saw Polymathically's comment. There is a chance that we were there at the same time. I was there with Girl Scout Troop 270 and the Boy Scouts were Troop 1, both out of the Napa Valley. To my knowledge the park had several weekends where they allowed service groups to apply to come stay over and do a service project. There were more applications than there were slots to stay so they chose the groups by lottery.

[@MrScorpianwarrior]

@@buildtherobots Oh, well cool anyway! Definitely a unique experience.

[@calicastro4085]

Tony Hawk Pro Skater... This was my favorite map...

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

History 101 Alcatraz, After the prison closed in 1963. November, 1969, a group: Native Americans took over the island. They planned to create a University and establish it as a place of honor & worship for various tribes. They offered to pay the U.S. govt. for the island. Their offer? $24.00 in beads and cloth. Sounds familiar! Many "moons" ago that is what the Dutch paid for Manhattan Island. This time Native Americans wanted to put one over on the property owners! There is more to this story! The Dutch purchased the island. All was well, until another tribe attacked the Dutch. You see, the 2nd tribe were the legal owners of Manhattan, not the group that sold it. Never able to find out if it was settled amicably! Norma Jean Morrissey history lover♡

[@yasminghani2073]

Very interesting information thank you

[@spaceman081447]

At 4:34 . . . "CELLS WERE BASIC" The cells were similar to the cells in the old Cincinnati Workouse (opened in 1869), being about 7 feet long and 5 feet wide. However, the Workhouse cells did not include such amenities as flush toilets or wash basins. During lockdown time in his cell, a prisoner had to urinate and defecate into a gallon-sized can, which it was his duty to empty immediately after the cells were unlocked each morning. Washing up was done at communal wash basins on the main floor of each cell block. Showers were a priviledge that was given only periodically.

[@Tatiana-by4oq]

This is one of the best narrative documentaries I've seen of Alcatraz. All the other videos are all the same thing over and over, this one gives us much more information. thank you for a great video!

[@williethebaker6714]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHq2pGVri7mXf5Y

[@Father_Quant]

Thought shroud was talking to me when it started playing

[@svetabashtam3686]

I love love love your channel keep up the good work!!

[@aFeverishFiend]

I took a tour of Alcatraz on a family vacation when I was 12... they gave us headphones with a little tape to listen to while we walked through the prison. OMG it was creepy AF!!! The sound effects made it so realistic like you could hear people yelling and banging on the cells. If they still have that tour then I recommend it to everyone!

[@Mondo762]

Alcatraz was an Army prison going back to pre-Civil War times.

[@ancjentkxng3394]

Wabi Sabi ok boomer

[@Mondo762]

@@ancjentkxng3394 OK Stupid

[@jessejive117]

Ancjent Kxng Dude please don’t come here and be an idiot. Don’t insult people just for stating a historical fact. That’s just what bullies do you try and put other people down to feel better about themselves, and you aren’t even using the meme properly. It’s to be use when someone says something like, all the music now sucks for all the movies now suck with all their special effects. Or music has too many computer sounds it sucks. Then you called him a Boomer. Someone stating a fact about the Civil War or World War II on a video there’s about history is not when you use that it makes you look stupid

[@scoutskills3584]

Ancjent Kxng ok boomer

[@ancjentkxng3394]

Jesse Collins ok boomer

[@FeedMeSalt]

"Bodies never found, but they didn't make it to shore" I mean, if you didn't find a body you don't know for sure, these men have nothing but cardio all day everyday. And long distance swimmers have done it.

[@cavlizzy]

It is believed that the 3 men that escaped in 1962 survived! As of 2018 only one was still alive and had cancer. (John Anglin) The other 2 died a few years before. (this info can be googled)

[@Lolpy.]

I feel like either the FBI doesn’t want to admit that they got away, or, they really just don’t have compelling evidence. Personally, I think they got away.

[@GodofWarChuka]

Escape from Alcatraz was a good movie with Clint Eastwood. I didn’t know it was a true story until later. Just thought it was Fiction at first. Interesting.

[@provthegoat7780]

Turned into zombies man

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

True!

[@itcheebeard]

I went there with my mother and step father in '96 as a 9 year old whilst on our holiday to the US. We met an ex inmate who i believe was selling a book or something. I believe his name was Whitey Thompson. Was an AWESOME day our for kids for sure!

[@joycewhyte1863]

I toured Alcatraz a few years ago and actually met former prisoner William G Baker. He was doing a book signing at the gift store.

[@maryewer7322]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Zack-ne4fc]

I like how he’s just talking about selling books and stuff and there’s scary music in the background

[@slydemise5349]

My great uncle, Johnnie Lamar Hall #1404 said it was the best prison he'd ever been to. The man broke out of every prison you could possibly think of and was possible he gave the Anglin brothers details on how to escape. He's still alive today and lives in Georgia.

[@robison87]

Ask him how much gay sex there was there and let me know.

[@chillandniceguy1645]

robison87 uuuuhhhh

[@slydemise5349]

@@chillandniceguy1645 right lolol

[@gainchung4296]

Wow really?

[@slydemise5349]

@@robison87 sucks to say, but I know for a fact a lot of those guys in that generation were a little more on the homophobic and racist side of things. Him less so, he just preferred not to be around people he thought were gay. So unlikely any gay stuff from him.

[@Katie-mw7pd]

I don’t usually pay for tours but the Alcatraz tour was definitely money and time well spent. Get the audio tour, it’s awesome.

[@gingerwarrior7006]

"somethime they would spend a full 24hrs a day in solitary" My Brother: There is only 24hrs in a day though ?

[@carlosdyer5868]

Worded that way for those that may wonder whether or not they were let out for any type of break or something else.

[@JT-nn8nj]

Prisoners at Alcatraz had better educational opportunities than students today lol

[@getminesallday24]

Tell me bout it i got my degree in san quentin now im a teacher at a middle school

[@riotrecker8978]

Now that’s a stretch

[@GooseGumlizzard]

bullshit

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

To Johnathan Turner: you are right! Frank Morris and the Anglin BROTHERS took up sculpting and painting in art class, hair trimming in barbershop 101, raincoat re-use in rubber design for dummies, and ocean navigation for the beginner sailor! After their escape these courses were no longer offered!! Norma Jean Morrissey-amateur historian

[@twizzy239]

i thought dinner and supper were the same thing

[@praveshmaharaj4387]

yeah lol

[@joeyjamison5772]

When I was in the Air Force, dinner was the noon meal and supper the evening meal.

[@sandi1263]

According to where you live...l

[@normajeanmorrissey2903]

T Wizzy, Designation of a meal depends on your financial status! If you have a 7 figure bank account, every meal is dinner! Norma Jean Morrissey$$$$

[@SlushPile]

In the UK ,supper can be a small snack before bed.

[@gaelenj.francis2860]

2 videos in and I'm hooked

[@martitag8104]

I am new to the channel and just subscribed love to learn about history amazing videos .

[@cellblocknine5385]

I heard people actually wanted to be a prisoner at Alcatraz because they got their own cells and there were lots of activities for them do fill their days with

[@user-dj7wv5ok2x]

In federal prison you CAN request a single-occupant cell.... In state, you can request a single cell if only you're older than 55.

[@aria.4711]

I took the audio tour, its actually a nice experience you learn a lot

[@sherryperkins116]

The Statue of Liberty is something i would like to hear more about.

[@janeiwasduncan8463]

How about Ellis Island...you know that place where people went to be checked out medically before being allowed to enter this country..

[@Gary-fk9pu]

My Father went to work in the USA in the late 70's and as a kid I had the opportunity of visiting San Francisco and Alcatraz. I was only12 at the time and would have got more out of it had I been older, but I had seen the film 'Escape from Alcatraz' so the look of the interior was strangely familiar to this northern English boy. Standing in the main cellhouse, what I recall the prisoners called 'Broadway' (and at one end where a clock was 'Times Square'), even though it was familiar to me from the film, in reality it looked so much smaller and claustrophobic.

[@tugginalong]

I went on a tour of Alcatraz prison in 2005. The tour guide (it may have been a recording) mentioned the prison was originally housing for prisoners of war. Also, one of the wardens turned off the heat as a way of punishment one winter. It saved so much money that he never allowed heat to be provided again. It was probably heat provided by coal. The prison is smaller than you realize and especially the prison cafeteria that you see in the movie.

[@alldayallnitelv]

Thought the same thing it was tiny

[@MiniJpzVEVO]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnu4dmOeo8qDi6c

[@anyama2914]

I visited Alcatraz, it was very interesting, I would recommend the tour

[@fallen6440]

Is it still open?

[@TheWeasel813]

FALLEN yep, I don’t know how long it is going to be open though. Probably for the next hundred years or something

[@conniecrawford5231]

Take the ferries from SF- some ferries go to Alcatraz, some just circlenit.

[@vladislausstraud9117]

American public schools could learn from them when it comes to food!

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

Never ate school food

[@ChilledMango]

I just visited Alcatraz and am in love with the aesthetic and history of it

[@sailingavocet]

We recently visited Alcatraz and found it fascinating! Had no idea it had SO much history behind it... here was our video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXzChYKbq6-Xe5I

[@broganreilly4506]

Genuinely love this channel so much, I love all things history and seeing it in these sorts of videos is amazing

[@alisterfolson]

I visited during Fleet Week in '98. Pretty sure the tour has been upgraded since then but it's worth checking out

[@juvenaldominguez7022]

Love history thanks for sharing 👍

[@gargantuaism]

I had an Uncle that was there for six years and he said it was kind of nice actually. Good views, field trips to Fisherman's Wharf, fish and chips on Sundays, He said if you were going to be at prison , Alcatraz was a very good choice.

[@jareroof1581]

I thought it said "intimate life at Alcatraz"i was a bit confused

[@JT-nn8nj]

Jare Roof it says that on the thumbnail

[@skorpthememer1601]

( ͡o ͜ʖ ͡o)

[@reaperjack9007]

@Shon Wick nice pun

[@jdtreadway]

Toured the Rock several times. Definitely a tough place to be.

[@aprilchronister9980]

We live north of SF but needing to go there (SF) for Hubby's neurosureon(cancer), see Alcatraz a zillion times from GGate Bridge. Weird; in the past we have never toured it! But some stuff I know is that it was super cold since much of it is concrete. The water in the bay is really cold as well. If any prisoner would actually have made it to water, but drifted out to the GGate Bridge area, beyond the Bridge is 'the potato patch'. We have deep sea fished leaving from the Bay and that patch beyond the Bridge is scary (for me!!) It churns and is super choppy water till you get all the way to ocean. (not fun for someone caught it that swimming! Hypothermia would set in anyway by then) Interesting the calm music, it - what some older native SF folks (my auntie)etc say ; that it was not a pleasant place at all to be. It also has some history pre - prison, I would like to study more of that as well. Interesting vid, thanks for making it!

[@spaceman081447]

Alcatraz had an inmate capacity of 312, but it never held more than 275 prisoners at any one time.