ALCATRAZ PRISON - Prisoners

While several well-known criminals, such as Al Capone, George "Machine-Gun" Kelly, Alvin Karpis (the first "Public Enemy #1"), and Arthur "Doc" Barker did time on Alcatraz, most of the 1,576 prisoners incarcerated there were not well-known gangsters, but prisoners who refused to conform to the rules and regulations at other Federal institutions, who were considered violent and dangerous, or who were considered escape risks. Alcatraz served as the prison system's prison - if a man did not behave at another institution, he could be sent to Alcatraz, where the highly structured, monotonous daily routine was designed to teach an inmate to follow rules and regulations. Here are some you may know!

Al Capone

Al Capone was a Chicago gangster sentenced to 11 years in federal prison in 1931 for tax evasion. After serving time at several prisons Capone was transferred to Alcatraz in 1934. Authorities believed Alcatraz would prevent Capone from continuing to exert influence over the criminal underworld. Despite his wealth and power, Capone's health had deteriorated due to syphilis, and he was no longer the feared figure he once was. At Alcatraz, Capone’s criminal activities were limited, and he spent his final years in relative obscurity.

Bernard Coy

Bernard Coy, a notorious bank robber, was sent to Alcatraz in 1934 after his conviction for a series of high-profile crimes. He had gained a reputation as a dangerous and skilled criminal, primarily operating in the Midwest. Coy's arrest followed a dramatic shootout with the police, and he was eventually sentenced to serve time in various federal prisons. In 1934, as part of a broader effort to house the most dangerous criminals, Coy was transferred to Alcatraz, where he remained until his death in 1937.

Robert Stroud

Robert Stroud, known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz," was convicted of murder in 1909 after killing a man in a bar fight. He was initially sent to Leavenworth Prison, where he became known for his interest in birds and became a prison authority on ornithology. However, Stroud’s violent behavior and escape attempts led to his transfer to Alcatraz in 1942. At Alcatraz, he was kept in solitary confinement for most of his time. Despite his reputation as a bird expert, Stroud spent his years in isolation until his release in 1959.