Prisoners of Alcatraz

Alcatraz Prison

Prisoners of Alcatraz: find out here who are the most famous Alcatraz prisoners and inmates. I love to learn about history and especially Alcatraz history.

What type prisoners were housed were those who were kidnappers, murderers, tax evaders and other felons. The threat of being sent to Alcatraz prison was intended by J. Edgar Hoover to help stop rampant and violent crime during the 1920's and 1930's. It was also to stop prisoners from being able to continue their criminal activities fro within prison walls.

George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Al "Scarface" Capone, and Robert Stroud "Birdman of Alcatraz" - each of these were a prisoner of Alcatraz - learn about them below.

George "Machine Gun" Kelly

George grew up in a well-to-do family and went to college. He participated in many kidnappings which included a millionaire named Charles F. Urschel. An FBI poster described him as an expert machine gunner. Some said he could write his name in lead on a piece of wood!

Interecting facts: Served as the altar boy at Catholic service and also as a projectionist at the movies at Alcatraz. Shy at first and seemed more like a bank president than a bank robber!

Prisoners of Alcatraz

Al "Scarface" Capone

Possibly the most famous prisoner of Alcatraz and one of the first Alcatraz inmates. He was a gangster who authorities thought was beyond rehabilitation. Sentenced to 10 years in prison for not paying income taxes.

Interesting facts: Refused to participate in protests against strict prison rules because he knew he would have to serve even more time. This caused other inmates to hate him and attempt to kill him. Served only seven years and five months of his ten-year term due to good behavior.

Robert Stroud "Birdman of Alcatraz"

Another famous prisoner of Alcatraz who murdered two people, one of which was a guard at Leavenworth prison. His nickname came from work he did with birds and bird diseases while in prison at Leavenworth.

Interesting facts: Spent 17 years at Alcatraz and most of that time was in solitary confinement in the D Block. He was named "The Birdman of Alcatraz" but never worked on birds while he was at Alcatraz Prison.

Prisoners of Alcatraz no longer existed when the prison was closed under the order of Attorney General Robert Kennedy in 1963.

If you want to learn more about Alcatraz and taking a tour click here.