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Alcatraz research paper
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The Rock It was one of the toughest prisons of it time. There was nothing to do but stare at walls. It was mind dwindling. Nicknamed “The Rock,” Alcatraz was a place prisoners didn’t want to go. From the discovery of the island to the closing of the prison, Alcatraz has had a lot of action over the years. With a great warden that kept the place in check, “The Rock” stayed under control, even though Alcatraz held some of the worst criminals of its time. Has anyone escaped? Well, there were those three guys that went missing, but keep reading to find out about that. Alcatraz is one of the most famous prisons and can be visited by the public today.
Alcatraz has a history that includes the military, a National Park, and a famous prison. Juan
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James A. Johnson was strict and would give no exception to the rules when he became the warden of Alcatraz. “Golden Rule Warden” was his nickname; he believed in giving prisoners a job, where they could be rewarded if they were good. Johnson created many new programs for the prisoners, like including educational programs (“Alcatraz History”). There were also very harsh punishments for defying the rules to defy the rules. For example, there would be intense labor, or they might get a 12 pound ball and chain tied to their ankle, or maybe even get restricted bread and water (Mahaney). Alcatraz was one of the harshest prisons and had only the toughest criminals.“Prisoners would have to earn their transfer to Alcatraz from other prisons, no one would be directly sentenced to Alcatraz from the courts” (“Alcatraz History”). With Johnson in charge several rules were set …show more content…
In with the 1st group of prisoners to arrive on the island was Al Capone, nicknamed Scarface. He was never in prison long, and he always got special treatment from the wardens and guards. On his arrival he tried to show everyone who was boss like he did at previous prisons. He even tried to get Warden Johnson to give him special treatment, but that didn’t exactly happen. Capone was in for killing a dozen people and having illegal gambling clubs. He was there for 4 ½ years until he got Syphilis and transferred out in 1938. Al Capone had a tough time at Alcatraz without special treatment; he got into a fight and put into isolation for eight days. While waiting for a haircut, a guy stabbed him with a pair of scissors, and, of course, he also got Syphilis. Capone even told the warden “Looks like Alcatraz has got me licked” (“Alcatraz History”). George Kelly, nicknamed Machine Gun Kelly after his favorite gun, arrived in 1934 the same time as Al Capone. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison for armed robberies, and it turned out he was the model prisoner at Alcatraz. He worked in the industries and transferred out in 1951 (“Alcatraz History”). Alcatraz’s most famous prisoner was Robert Stroud, nicknamed Bird Man. He liked birds, he even speared Sparrows and Canaries to leave his mark (“Alcatraz Prison Closes”). He spent 17 years in Alcatraz after getting convicted of
In conclusion, The prison inmates were pretty much disciplined, all except for Luke Jackson. The three methods definitely worked to keep the inmates under control and the methods were hard labor, restraints, and solitary
During the time period of 1936 through 1961 there was a change in the establishment of authority with a new personal dominance of Warden Joseph Ragen. The system that was imposed by Ragen had a goal of creating a stable social order at this penitentiary. However, Jacobs mentions that the absence of interference by outside forces enabled him to develop his authoritarian system of internal order. Seeking to achieve his goals for Stateville, Ragen demanded absolute personal loyalty and officers were given an “Officer Rule book”. In return it was set to establish loyalty of the employee to the warden, and the warden was also obliged to the employee. However, the biggest part of Ragens system was that of personal dominance. In addition to Ragen’s system the system was also based upon internal security so intense that the ultimate perimeter security would never need to be tested. He created a system of charismatic dominance within his time as a warden at Stateville. Once Ragen left the prison the problem of organizational succession
Every civilization in history has had rules, and citizens who break them. To this day governments struggle to figure out the best way to deal with their criminals in ways that help both society and those that commit the crimes. Imprisonment has historically been the popular solution. However, there are many instances in which people are sent to prison that would be better served for community service, rehab, or some other form of punishment. Prison affects more than just the prisoner; the families, friends, employers, and communities of the incarcerated also pay a price. Prison as a punishment has its pros and cons; although it may be necessary for some, it can be harmful for those who would be better suited for alternative means of punishment.
When envisioning a prison, one often conceptualizes a grisly scene of hardened rapists and murderers wandering aimlessly down the darkened halls of Alcatraz, as opposed to a pleasant facility catering to the needs of troubled souls. Prisons have long been a source of punishment for inmates in America and the debate continues as to whether or not an overhaul of the US prison system should occur. Such an overhaul would readjust the focuses of prison to rehabilitation and incarceration of inmates instead of the current focuses of punishment and incarceration. Altering the goal of the entire state and federal prison system for the purpose of rehabilitation is an unrealistic objective, however. Rehabilitation should not be the main purpose of prison because there are outlying factors that negatively affect the success of rehabilitation programs and such programs would be too costly for prisons currently struggling to accommodate additional inmate needs.
Being a prisoner has more restrictions than one may believe. Prisoners are told when they should participate in daily activities and what they are allowed to say or do on a daily basis. This is not a life anyone is determined to experience during any period of time. However, all though for most prison life is just a depiction in a movie or on television, it is a reality for many. Their crimes and behaviors brought them into a world of being stripped of their freedom. Those who oversee the prisoners must control order within the brick walls. An article discussing the duties of a prison officer, defines it as one who “...has responsibility for the security, supervision, training and rehabilitation of people committed to prison by the courts”
There are a number of issues that need to be taken into consideration when discussing the use of supermax prisons. Hans Toch, a corrections scholar, pointed out that the methods used in supermax prisons are not new penal techniques. In fact, those types of prison conditions were adopted in the past and rejected because of increased rates in inmates developing mental illness (Hickey, 2010). Supermaximum security prisons have been associated with past attempts, like the Eastern State Penitentiary, where twenty-four-hour isolation was used and there were no programs for self improvement. The two main problems associated with supermax prisons are the conditions and the transfer procedures/criteria (Pollock, 2010). Pelican Island in California was a target of a court case, Madr...
The description of Alcatraz is sinister and quite mysterious. Many people describe it as a haunted attraction,
Al Capone once said about Alcatraz " Don't mistake my kindness for weakness, I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember me about." One of the most dreaded prisons in America was Alcatraz, it was built on an island in the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz was made for the United States most dangerous and difficult people during its years of being operated. Even though Alcatraz was built as a top end prison it was possible to escape, however it seemed prisoners never made it off the island alive.
Supermax Prisons: Beyond the Rocks. Lanham, MD: American Correctional Facility, 2003. Rpt. in America's Prisons. Ed.
Rock of Ages is a short essay in which Didion describes life on Alcatraz after a recent trip she took there. Didion uses tone, diction, and vivid descriptions to describe the irony of people happily living in Alcatraz after it has been abandoned.
Al Capone was one of the most known of all of the gangsters. He was one of the biggest gangsters in the underworld of chicago. Al capone was a sharp dresser a classy gentleman. Capone was the best at what he did. capone originally liyed in naples which is in italy .
Alcatraz Island has quite a distinct history. Many people know that Alcatraz served as a federal prison, but most are reluctant to know that this island served as fort. Built before the Civil War, it served two main purposes. First, that it was to guard the San Francisco bay area from enemy ships against a foreign invasion, and second, to hold hostage prisoners of war or POW's as they were called. In this report, I'll show you how this fortress came to be a federal prison, why it is no longer in operation today, and most importantly, to show why it was built in the first place. When the great "Gold Rush" of 1849 first started, California grew from what would be considered a small, unpopulated state, into what it is now. California is now one of the most populated states and it was mostly the gold rush that brought attention to California. As the government saw all of this happening, they realized that California was much more important than they ever realized. In their realization, they decided that California must be protected. San Francisco has one of the largest bays in all of California, and so this was where enemy countries would most likely to try to invade the country. So this is where Alcatraz was to lie, to serve as a military fort. It was supposed to serve as a secondary base in companionship to another base located on the other side of Golden Gate Bridge. But with severe problems trying to build this other base, Alcatraz was to remain alone. "Out in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, the island of Alcatraz is definitely a world unto itself. Isolation is just one of the many constants of island life for any inhabitant on Alcatraz Island. It is the most reoccurring theme in the unfolding history of Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz Island is one of Golden Gate National Recreation Area's most popular destinations, offering a close-up look at a historic and infamous federal prison long off-limits to the public. Visitors to the island can not only explore the remnants of the prison, but learn of the American occupation of 1969 - 1971, early military fortifications and the West Coast's first and oldest operating lighthouse. These structures stand among the island's many natural features - gardens, tidepools, bird nests, and bay views beyond compare." (1) Fortress Alcatraz ran in operation from 1850 - 1933. It served as San Fr...
The Yuma Territorial Prison is one of the main pillars in the growth of Arizona as the wild west was tamed. Its existence served not only as a beacon of civilization but that of consequence for those who resisted human expansion’s natural progression. As it existed many thought of it as a joke giving those inside the easy life or the likes of a concentration camp but in the middle of civilian held war, the prison stood toward the future. From near modern advances to holding those refusing to be held and even continueing on helping those of Yuma for years to come. This paper will use sources explaining the history of the prison and be about the experience, conditions, and personality of many of the prisoners along with major events in the prisoners lives explaining how the prison evolved during and after their stay.
The norms of the prison are held up by sanctions, both by the prisoners and by the violence of the guards. Some examples of these sanctions are the degradation ceremonies established new inmates as inferior, violence by the guards enforcing their power over the prisoners, prisoners act in such a way that these techniques fail, and being sent to solitary confinement. All of these enforce their isolation and works to break them as a human being, reminding them their role as a prisoner and their lack of power. By doing this, one would want to abide by the rules to veer away from any severe
The mass media uses prison life as the source for movies and television shows. Over the years there have been many movies written about prison but the most prominent in my mind is Frank Darabont’s, The Shawshank Redemption. Throughout the film there are many examples of the falsities of prison life. There are some elements of truth but they are out weighed by the misconceptions. Numerous prisoners are allowed to walk around the prison and the prison yard with no guards in sight. In actuality there are always guards around, especially on the inside. The prisoner’s movement through the prison is highly restricted.