Alcatraz

Alcatraz island, originally a military fortification during the gold rush in California and then became a military prison (1868), more famously known as the federal prison from 1933 until 1963. The federal prison was actually built by the previous military prisoners who were doing their time.

Now a fascinating tourist attraction, we were able to have a guided tour of the infamous prison on 'The Rock'. Although it looks picturesque from afar it is crazy to think so many were locked up here in such confined spaces, so near to the city life of San Francisco. At some points you forget that these people were criminals and try to imagine what life on Alcatraz would have been like. The guided tour comes with a chilling audio, narrated by previous inmates and guards of Alcatraz.

The most interesting part was learning about the famous three that actually escaped and haven't been traced to this day. Using their collective ingenuity they managed to make plaster and rubber replica heads to put in their beds, whilst they made their escape through the ventilation system and out into the cold water of the bay...