Alcatraz

A detailed Summary of Alcatraz


Alcatraz: United States Penitentiary

As a result of the Great Depression, a new breed of violent criminals swept the streets of America. In response to the cries of alarmed citizens, Congress enacted a number of statutes, which gave the federal government jurisdiction over certain criminal offenses previously held by the states. With the suggestion of former US Attorney General, Homes Cummings, Congress agreed that a special penal institution of maximum security and minimum privilege be established. In 1934, the legendary US Penitentiary of Alcatraz was born and became the home of Americas most wanted for the next thirty years.

Once authorized by Congress, the US Department of Justice acquired control of Alcatraz Island, previously a US Army compound. As the island was redeveloped into a maximum-security prison, seven of its twelve acres were enclosed in a prison compound. The remaining five were set aside for employee residences, apartments, and recreational space. Soon after the redesigning of the old Army fortress, the Alcatraz prison was ready for the grand opening (or better said lockout!). Equipped with four different cellblocks, A, B, C and D, the Rock began its operations on Ja


The first of four wardens to take charge of the penitentiary was a retired, professional administrator named James A. Johnston. The Department of Justice carefully selected Johnston because he was a well-organized, no-nonsense businessman with over twelve years of experience in the California Department of Corrections. Under Johnston, another ninety officers were required to cover the three eight-hour shifts (plus leave and vacation time).

During its thirty years of service, close to 1545 inmates resided at the Alcatraz penitentiary. Contrary to popular belief, Alcatraz was initially meant to confine only a few of the infamous headline-makers of the era. However, out of the total population ever to occupy this prison, the vast majority was not to be found on wanted posters adorning post office walls. The average number of prisoners maintained in the prison (at one time) was 260, with a high count of 302 and a low count of 222 men.

nuary 2, 1934. Although cellblock A was seldom used, B, C and D provided 378 "cages" to accommodate the most notorious felons that America could produce.

1. Coy, Bernard Paul. Alcatraz'46: The Anatomy of a Classic Prison Tragedy. Leswing Press, San Rafael, CA 1974.



Some common words found in the essay are:
Corrections Johnston, Alcatraz Island, Rock Capone's, United Penitentiary, Morris Anglin, Alcatraz September, Penitentiary Alcatraz, Department Justice, Leavenworth Kelly, Cummings Congress, penitentiary alcatraz, escaping prison, department justice, transferred penitentiary, alcatraz prison, heart attack, official shipment, robbery kidnapping, united penitentiary,

Approximate Word count = 1030
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

join now Save Paper

Related Essays

  • alcatraz Alcatraz ampquotAmericaamp39s Devilamp39s Island,ampquot was the quote given to Alcatraz because of its similarities to the famous Devilamp39s Island prison of France. ... 665 words
  • Alcatraz ALCATRAZ ampquotAlcatraz was a famous federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. ... There are prisons, and then there is Alcatraz. ... 1385 words
  • Alcatraz Alcatraz In western California, in San Fransisco Bay, Alcatraz rises 130 feet above the surface of the bay and is about 1755 feet long. ... 361 words
  • alcatraz Alcatraz Island was opened from 1934 to 1963. ... That raises the question was Alcatrazamp39s brutality essential, or just plain cruel ... 1434 words
  • alcatraz Alcatraz Island has quite a distinct history. Many people ... country. So this is where Alcatraz was to lie, to serve as a military fort. It ... 3832 words

Professional Essays

  • History of Alcatraz Prison The history of Alcatraz prison demonstrates the ineffectiveness of supermaximum security institutions which offer no rehabilitation for inmates. ... 2233 words
  • American Indian Cultural Values In the wake of violent confrontations between Indian and the established power structure of the United Statesat Alcatraz, at Wounded Knee, at the Bureau of ... 6598 words
  • Living in a Mental Institution: A Case Study ... She writes, ampquotEvery window on Alcatraz has a view of San Franciscoampquot 6. Unlike some of her fellow patients, Kaysen never tried to escape from her prison ... 1327 words
  • The American Indian Movement ... over local tribal affairs. In 1969, a dramatic protest was staged on Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. A group of Indians ... 2884 words
  • Murder in the First ampamp Higher Learning ... styles. The plot of Murder in the First, as noted, comes from the real case of Henri Young, who tried to escape from Alcatraz in 1938. ... 1638 words
  • Prohibition ... charges and imprisoned. Al Capones tenancy at Alcatraz prison made the little island in the San Francisco bay world famous. He died ... 1561 words


Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.
Home Join Now Support
Acceptable Use Policy About us FAQ
All papers are for research and reference purposes only!
© 2002-2009 DirectEssays.com. All Rights Reserved.