The island is surrounded by treacherous cross currents and five-knot tides with a deadly undertow. The water temperature around Alcatraz averages fifty-four degrees which is frigid enough to induce hypothermia. In addition to the freezing temperature, there are occasional sharks and whirlpools strong enough to drown a man. Although not appealing to a vacationer, the geography of the area was perfect for a prison as it made escape nearly impossible (Redden, 165).

The California gold rush spurred the building of a lighthouse on the island. Wealth from gold increased San Francisco's ship traffic and population and a guiding light was needed to take the ships safely through the bay. In 1850, the military used the island as a defense. Places for cannons and gun placements were carved out of the land slo

Disobeying rules led to solitary in Block D. Cells number 9 through 14 in Block "D" were often referred to as "the Hole." There was no light and the cell was windowless with solid doors and steel walls. The cell was always in complete darkness. The only human contact came when two meals were served through a slot in the door and when the inmate was led out for a weekly shower. Most inmates spent no more than five days in the Hold, but some were confined for months and years. During these times especially, death looked attractive to inmates due to the daily infliction of psychological torture. Prisoners in the regular cellblocks sometimes opted for the "back door parole." This was achieved by hanging themselves, slashing their arteries or diving head-first into eternity from the cellblock's third-tier gallery onto the polished floor below. Jim Quillen, prisoner #AZ586 said, "Nothing could blot out the knowledge of what and where you were, or the certainty that this was all that life held for you in the future. Man was never intended to live as a caged animal; I often speculated as to whether life was worth living under these conditions" (Golden Gate National Park Association, Escapes, 9).

Less than 10% of Alcatraz inmates received visits from loved ones. The majority of wives and parents from the East coast could not face up to the long drive by automobile, nor could they afford the round-trip fare by bus, train, or plane. All inmate visitors were restricted to the spouse, blood relative, or the inmate's attorney. Visitors faced inmates separated by a two-inch pane of shatterproof glass. Visitors and prisoners could talk through a telephone and all conversations were monitored (Redden, 173).

Alcatraz inmates were fed better than in most other prisons. Steak was served twice weekly along with baked potatoes. Pork chops and milkshakes were served once a month. The dining hall was one of the most dangerous areas of the prison. Guards were unarmed for fear of a united group attack. The dining room had a ceiling of tear gas cylinders. The tear gas could be released by catwalk guards in the event of a mess hall riot. The dining hall was run strictly and the warden made sure the meals were well prepared. At the end of eac

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