PAVAN MICKEY: The Jail of the most notorious Criminals in American History, Alcatraz Island.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The Jail of the most notorious Criminals in American History, Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz a small island in San Francisco Bay, Once it was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison. It was explored by Spaniard Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775 and named the island Isla de los Alcatraces, means island of the pelicans, which became Alcatraz in English. In 1848 Alcatraz came under the control of the United States after the end of the Mexican-American War, California. In 1850s United States army built a fortress to protect San Francisco, but it was never needed and in 1868 it was become as military prison. In 1909 a new pirson was built and the work was done by the prisoners themselves, the name called "The Rock".

Alcatraz Island. Photo credit Andy

The island became a Federal Bureau of Prisons federal prison in 1934. It was in use, the jail held some of the most notorious criminals in American history. Initially there were usually about 250 prisoners, living one to each tiny cell, typically 9ft long by 5ft wide and 7ft high.

During the 29 years the prison was closed in 1963 by Robert F. Kennedy as attorney general because the cost of transporting food, water and other supplies to the island made it far more expensive than the other federal penitentiaries. A group of Native Americans claimed the island in 1969 and occupied it until they were driven out by federal marshals in 1971. In 1976 Island was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1980 Alcatraz accessible to the public to enable visitors. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Now it is home to the abandoned prison, the site of the oldest operating lighthouse. Today, the island's facilities are managed by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; it is open to tours. [source : History | Wikipedia | Legendsofamerica ]