Alcatraz Escape

July 07, 2018

Alcatraz Escape

It was the place where dangerous criminals like Scarface, Machine Gun, and Birdman were incarcerated.

Also known as “The Rock”, Alcatraz was the world’s most secure prison at that time on Alcatraz Island, 2 km off the coast of San Francisco, California.[1]

Nearly 13 unsuccessful escape attempts were made during the 29 years of prison’s existence.

But then the 14th attempt was made, and everything changed.

Year: 1962.

John Anglin, Clarence Anglin and Frank Morris were assigned the adjacent cells in the prison when they planned to jailbreak.[2]

With the help of saw blades, spoons and contrived drill from the motor of a broken vaccum cleaner, they widened the opening of ventilation duct, and escaped.[3]

Nothing was noticed till the next day when the routine check was done because of the dummy heads they put in their beds.

These heads were made from soap, toothpaste, saw dust, toilet paper and real hair from the barbershop.

These prisoners were never seen again.

Were they able to cross the bay, or were killed by the strong currents and frigid water?

It is said that they paddled from Alcatraz towards the Golden Gate Bridge, and escaped from there only.[4]

Year: 2013.

A letter was received, claimed to be written by John Anglin, who was one of three escapees.[5]

The letter reads:

“My name is John Anglin. I escape from Alcatraz in June 1962 with my brother Clarence and Frank Morris. I’m 83 years old and in bad shape. I have cancer. Yes we all made it that night but barely.

Clarence Anglin died in 2008 and Morris died in 2005.

I am 83 years old and in bad shape. I have cancer.

If you announce on TV that I will be promised to just go to jail for no more than a year and get medical attention I will write back to let you know exactly where I am.”

This letter was revealed in 2018.

It was analyzed, but no clear results came out, and the FBI terminated the case saying that the cold and fierce water of the bay killed the escapees.[6]