Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, operated from 1934 to 1963 and is one of the most infamous prisons in American history. Originally built as a military fort in the 1850s, it was transformed into a high-security federal prison designed to hold the most dangerous criminals.

Alcatraz was renowned for its strict rules and harsh conditions. The island's rugged environment and cold waters made escape nearly impossible, contributing to its reputation as a place where inmates would serve their time without the possibility of parole.

Alcatraz was closed in 1963 due to high maintenance costs and the deteriorating infrastructure. Today, it stands as a popular tourist destination, where visitors can explore its history and the lives of those who were incarcerated there.