Memorable World History/Authors

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (Part II)

Prison life and the cells

An inmate register reveals that therewere 1,576 prisoners in total held at Alcatraz during its time as aFederal Penitentiary, although figures reported have varied and somehave stated 1557. The prison cells, purposefully designed so thatnone adjoined an outside wall, typically measured 9 feet (2.7 m) by 5feet (1.5 m) and 7 feet (2.1 m) high. The cells were primitive with abed, a desk and a washbasin and toilet on the back wall and fewfurnishings except a blanket. An air vent, measuring 6 inches (150mm) by 9 inches (230 mm), covered by a metal grill, lay at the backof the cells which led into the utility corridors. Prisoners had noprivacy in going to the toilet and the toilets would emit a strongstench because they were flushed with salt water. Hot water faucetswere not installed until the early 1960s, shortly before closure.

The penitentiary established a verystrict regimen of rules and regulations under the title "theRules and Regulations for the Government and Discipline of the UnitedStates Penal and Correctional Institutions" and also a"Daily Routine of Work and Counts" to be followed bythe prisoners and also the guards; copies of these were provided tothe prisoners to read and follow. Inmates were basically entitled tofood, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Anything else wasseen as a privilege. Inmates were given a blue shirt, grey pants(blue and white in later years), cotton long underwear, socks and ablue handkerchief; the wearing of caps was forbidden in thecellhouse. Cells were expected to be kept tidy and in good order.Any dangerous article found in the cells or on inmates such as money,narcotics, intoxicating substances or tools which had the potentialto inflict injury or assist in an escape attempt was consideredcontraband and made the prisoners eligible for disciplinary action. It was compulsory for prisoners to shave in their cells three times aweek. Attempting to bribe, intimidate, or assault prison officers wasseen as a very serious offense. African-Americans were segregatedfrom the rest in cell designation due to racial abuse beingprevalent. Toilet paper, matches, soap, and cleanser were issued tothe cells on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and inmates could request hotwater and a mop to clean their cells. The bars, windows and floorsof the prison were cleaned on a daily basis. In earlier years therewas a strict code of silence but by the 1950s this had relaxed andtalking was permitted in the cellhouse and dining hall providedconversations were quiet and there was no shouting, loud talking,whistling or singing.

Plan of the main cellhouse

Prisoners would be woken at 6:30 am,and sent to breakfast at 6:55 am. After returning to the cell,inmates then had to tidy their cell and place the waste basketoutside. At 7:30 am, work started in the shifts for those privilegedenough to do so, punctuated by a whistle, and prisoners would have togo through a metal detector during work shifts. If assigned a job,prisoners had to accept that line of work; prisoners were notpermitted to have money in their possessions but earnings went into aprisoner's Trust Fund. Some of the prisoners were assigned dutieswith the guards and foremen in the Laundry, Tailor Shop, CobblersShop, Model Shop etc. and in gardening and labor. Smoking, aprivilege, was permitted in the workplace providing there wasn't anyhazardous condition, but inmates were not permitted to smoke betweenthe recreation yard and work. Lunch was served at 11:20 am, followedby a 30-minute rest in the cell, before returning to work until16:15. Dinner was served at 16:25 and the prisoners would thenretire to their cells to be locked in for the night at 16:50, andlights went off at 21:30. After being locked in for the night, 6guards usually patrolled the four cell blocks. Many prisoners havecompared their duration at Alcatraz to hell and would have preferreddeath to continued incarceration.