The Voices of Penitentiary Alcatraz

Alcatraz at Night
Alcatraz at Night

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, GOGA 35316




Between 1934 and 1963 Alcatraz became infamous for being a federal prison. The stories we know come from the records that have been saved and passed down to us. Here you can listen to the individual stories of the people who were there when these events happened, and you can decide what kind of place Alcatraz was from their firsthand interpretations.

For More U.S Penitentiary Alcatraz History
 
Alcatraz guards at the sallyport
Guards at the Sally Port

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, GOGA-3264



"The Assistant Director came to Leavenworth and informed us and gave us the story that we were needed at Alcatraz. They were short of experienced help out here"- Marvin Orr, on how he ended up at Alcatraz

 
 
Alcatraz Rec Yard
Prisoners in yard, Alcatraz.

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, GOGA 19200



"Stroud and Karpis. Karpis was not anybody outstanding that I could see. Stroud was because it was like fame or infamous. But I think Franklin, do you ever heard of him?"- John McGoran

 
 
Alcatraz guard tower
Guard in tower, Alcatraz.

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, GOGA 18346



"Trying to think of anything more, there was a lot of things, two years, it's like a lifetime in this place, all the incidents that happened." - Frank Heaney

 
 
Alcatraz prisoners in the dining hall
Prisoners in dining hall

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, GOGA-3264



"There were about 20 of us on the train. People had the idea that there were a lot more prisoners on Alcatraz. The maximum they got was 250…" - Elliot Michener

 
 
Alcatraz- Newly Arrived Inmates going into showers c1960
New inmates waiting for shower.

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, GOGA 18352




"Yeah. There was never a guy, from the time this placed opened until it closed, paroled out of Alcatraz. Not one." - Robert Guilford

 
 

These oral histories may be used for any legitimate non-commercial public or press use with proper credit given to the National Park Service. If you have any questions or require additional information, please reach out to the Park Archives and Records Center’s reference archivist at 415-561-2807 or Contact Us.

For a Complete List of Oral Histories Available by Topic
 

For More Stories


Listen to Bart Archimedes and Albert Patane discuss finding an Alcatraz escapee on The Voices of Fort Point

Return to the Voices of Alcatraz Main Page

Return to the Oral Histories Main Page

Last updated: July 10, 2024

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