Very Brief History of Alacatraz, the Prison

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With shackles on hands and feet, you face the floor and walk in a shuffle off the island ferry with the others following close behind. You look up to catch a glimpse of the substantial structure ahead with a correctional officer standing before it. You put your head back down and continue to walk. The correctional officer flashes a smile you do not see, but you can hear his simple but chilling words – “Welcome home.”
Known to be stone cold and unforgiving, miles away from the mainland on a 22 acre mass of rock lies a prison where the most uncontrollable prisoners in America were controlled with strict daily routines and un-sympathizing punishments…

Discovery
Before Alcatraz was used by Americans for various purposes, it was discovered in 1775 by Juan Manuel de Ayala, a Spanish explorer whom Viceroy Antonio Maria de Bucareli y Ursua sent to explore the San Francisco Bay area by sea while another party consisting of colonists and soldiers explored the area by land. This was all a part of the Viceroy’s expedition for Spanish settlement in the San Francisco Bay area.
On the San Carlos, a ship which de Ayala was the captain of came across a 22 acre rocky island. He mapped and named this island La Isla de los Alcatraces [meaning pelican or strange bird] because of the group of pelicans soaring above it.

Although before Ayala, members of the Ohlone tribe may have visited the island to collect food such as eggs and fish. However, other tribes may have avoided the island completely because they though it to contain evil spirits.

Military
Fort
Beginning
La Isla de los Alcatraces’ name changed to Alcatraz under American speaking influence.
In 1850 the 13th American President Millard Fillmore ordered that the island be reserved as a p...

... middle of paper ...

...iew of the Golden Gate Bridge was blocked during the construction of the prison, “[the] beacon became obsolete” (history.com). A new taller lighthouse replacement took place in 1909.
Running
With the new prison, the U.S. Army ran a rather mild institution with minimum security. “Prisoners spent their days working and learning…Many prisoners worked as gardeners while a select few were employed as babysitters for the children of prison officers (Mahaney, Erin. History and Facts about Alcatraz. About.com).
Closing
The Great Depression of the 1930s resulted in the already pricey expenses to run the army barracks to almost double. The current prisoners were departed to other prisons in Kansas and New Jersey. In 1933, the Army deserted the prison.

Alcatraz would continue as a prison for more than 100 years, but just under a different control…

Federal Penitentiary

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