Archive # 147 Alcatraz
Episode 49, Nov 21, 10:30 AM
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Show Notes
šļø Intro
Tonight, weāre stepping onto one of the most infamous islands in the world: Alcatraz. Known as The Rock, it was once Americaās most feared prison, housing the countryās most dangerous criminals. Behind the stone walls and rusting cell doors, whispers of something far darker remain. Former guards, prisoners, and tourists have reported chilling encounters: mysterious footsteps, cell doors clanging shut on their own, and ghostly figures appearing in the dim light of abandoned corridors.
šļø The Rock: Origins & Military Roots
Alcatraz wasnāt always a federal prison. In the mid-1800s, the U.S. Army saw the rocky island as the perfect strategic stronghold. Its location in the chilly San Francisco Bay made it ideal for defense, so the military built a fortress with cannons to guard against potential invaders. By the late 1800s, the islandās defensive role faded, and the military began using it as a prison. Its isolation made it perfect for holding prisoners securely.
āļø Transformation into a Federal Penitentiary
In 1934, Alcatraz officially became a federal penitentiary, designed to house the worst of the worst. Criminals who caused problems in other prisons were sent to The Rock as punishment. The prison was notorious for its location and design: cells were small, isolation was severe, and escape was considered impossible thanks to the icy, treacherous waters surrounding the island. Alcatraz quickly gained a reputation as one of the harshest prisons in the United States.
š Famous Inmates of The Rock
Over the years, Alcatraz housed some of Americaās most notorious criminals, men whose names dominated headlines. Al Capone, once a feared Chicago gangster, spent much of his time in isolation, his health deteriorating from syphilis. George āMachine Gunā Kelly, known for bootlegging and kidnapping, was surprisingly well-behaved inside the prison. Robert Stroud, the āBirdman of Alcatraz,ā carried a reputation for intelligence and violence, tightly controlled by authorities. Alvin āCreepy Karpisā Karpowicz served the longest sentence of any Alcatraz inmate, while Arthur āDocā Barker tried to escape in 1939 but was shot dead. Henri Young became infamous after killing a fellow inmate, highlighting the prisonās brutal conditions. Even the most dangerous criminals were humbled by the Rock.
š The Great Escape (or Did They?)
Alcatrazās reputation was cemented by the 36 men who tried to escape in 14 attempts over 29 years. Most failed, some were killed, and a few vanished into the frigid bay. Joe Bowers fell to his death in 1936. Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe disappeared into a storm in 1937, never to be seen again. Violent incidents occurred, such as the 1938 hammer attack on Officer Royal Cline. In 1941 and 1943, several hostage situations and failed escape attempts kept the prison on edge.
š Clever but Doomed
In 1945, John Giles tried to escape using a stolen army uniform but ended up on Angel Island. The infamous Battle of Alcatraz in 1946 turned the cellhouse into a war zone, leaving guards and inmates dead, with nearly 20 others injured. The bloodiest chapter in the prisonās history was a three-day struggle before Marines regained control.
š Into the Bay
Later escape attempts included Floyd Wilson hiding along the shoreline, Aaron Burgett disappearing after a swim, and the legendary 1962 escape of Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin. Using homemade tools and dummy heads, the trio slipped through vent holes into the bay, never confirmed to have survived. John Paul Scott and Darl Parker also attempted the waters, facing hypothermia and capture. Alcatrazās icy waters, strong currents, and distance to shore made every escape perilous.
ā°ļø Closing the Rock
Alcatraz officially closed on March 21, 1963, after 29 years. The closure was due to the prisonās high operating costs, not famous disappearances. Every supply had to be ferried in, and the island lacked fresh water, making it inefficient. Plans never materialized to repurpose the island, including a shopping center, hotel, or UN monument.
šŖ¶ The Indians of All Tribes Occupation
In 1969, Native American activists, calling themselves the Indians of All Tribes, claimed the island to create a cultural and educational center. Public support was strong, but vandalism, graffiti, and fire plagued the project. By June 1971, federal authorities removed the remaining occupants. Today, Alcatraz is a National Historic Landmark, a haunting reminder of its layered past.
š» Ghosts of Alcatraz: Hauntings Begin
After Alcatraz closed in 1963, the island didnāt fall silent. Decades of violence, solitary confinement, and fatal escapes left echoes that many claim still lingers. From shadowy figures behind barred windows to footsteps in empty corridors, visitors and former guards alike report chilling encounters. D-Block, home to the most dangerous prisoners, is said to be the epicenter of paranormal activity.
š³ļø Cell Block D: āThe Holeā
D-Blockās Treatment Unit, especially āThe Hole,ā confined the worst offenders in small, bare cells. Stripped of comforts and subjected to extreme isolation, inmates often faced icy winds and total deprivation. Paranormal researchers report cold spots, feelings of dread, and ghostly presences, particularly in Cells 12 and 14-D. Psychic impressions, visions of suffering inmates, and reports of red-eyed spirits have all been documented, with some deaths in these cells remaining mysterious.
šļø Cellblock C: Echoes of Violence
The 1946 Battle of Alcatraz left a spiritual imprint in Cellblock C. Visitors report clanging noises, apparitions in prison fatigues, and disembodied voices. The laundry room is particularly active, linked to the murdered mob hitman Abie āButcherā Maldowitz, whose angry presence is said to linger.
š„ The Hospital Ward
Alcatrazās hospital housed the mentally ill and dangerous inmates. Today, echoes of screams, moving wheelchairs, and ghostly figures are familiar. Robert Stroud, the āBirdman of Alcatraz,ā is reported wandering the ward, continuing his work from beyond the grave.
š The Wardenās House & The Lady in Green
The burned Wardenās residence reportedly hosts phantom parties, mysterious music, and spectral figures. The Lady in Green, a ghostly woman in the former wardenās washroom, is often seen gazing out windows or accompanied by sobbing. Her identity is debated, possibly tied to a wardenās wife or a military spouse.
š» Other Haunting Experiences
Guards and visitors report glowing-eyed entities, phantom soldiers and prisoners, disembodied voices, cold drafts, and the sensation of being watched. EVP recordings and paranormal investigations have captured screams, laughter, and the presence of spirits like Harry Burnette.
š Eyewitness Reports
Tourists on night tours frequently hear voices, see shadows, or feel intense pressure in solitary cells. Reddit users recount chilling experiences, from unexplained laughs to sudden nausea in reinforced cells. Some have captured āheyā whispers in their ears, eerily echoed in past accounts.
From CBS News: Researchers mapping Alcatraz for erosion and climate change spent three weeks living in D Block, with no heat or showers. One member fled the mugshot room after hearing scraping furniture, voices, and a piano playing in an empty room. Visitors continue to report moaning, cries, and strange activity throughout the island, echoing Native American beliefs of dark spirits lingering on the Rock.
š® Outro
Is Alcatraz just a monument to dark history, or a place where the restless dead linger? Its secrets remain tightly held, and perhaps some prisoners still serve their time. For those brave enough to visit, the night tour offers a chilling glimpse into its haunted past. Stay curious, cautiousā¦ and haunted.
š£ļø Featured Pronunciations
Robert Stroud ā strood
Alvin āCreepyā Karpis ā KAR-pis
Henri Young ā on-REE young
Huron āTedā Walters ā HEW-ron
Tonight, weāre stepping onto one of the most infamous islands in the world: Alcatraz. Known as The Rock, it was once Americaās most feared prison, housing the countryās most dangerous criminals. Behind the stone walls and rusting cell doors, whispers of something far darker remain. Former guards, prisoners, and tourists have reported chilling encounters: mysterious footsteps, cell doors clanging shut on their own, and ghostly figures appearing in the dim light of abandoned corridors.
šļø The Rock: Origins & Military Roots
Alcatraz wasnāt always a federal prison. In the mid-1800s, the U.S. Army saw the rocky island as the perfect strategic stronghold. Its location in the chilly San Francisco Bay made it ideal for defense, so the military built a fortress with cannons to guard against potential invaders. By the late 1800s, the islandās defensive role faded, and the military began using it as a prison. Its isolation made it perfect for holding prisoners securely.
āļø Transformation into a Federal Penitentiary
In 1934, Alcatraz officially became a federal penitentiary, designed to house the worst of the worst. Criminals who caused problems in other prisons were sent to The Rock as punishment. The prison was notorious for its location and design: cells were small, isolation was severe, and escape was considered impossible thanks to the icy, treacherous waters surrounding the island. Alcatraz quickly gained a reputation as one of the harshest prisons in the United States.
š Famous Inmates of The Rock
Over the years, Alcatraz housed some of Americaās most notorious criminals, men whose names dominated headlines. Al Capone, once a feared Chicago gangster, spent much of his time in isolation, his health deteriorating from syphilis. George āMachine Gunā Kelly, known for bootlegging and kidnapping, was surprisingly well-behaved inside the prison. Robert Stroud, the āBirdman of Alcatraz,ā carried a reputation for intelligence and violence, tightly controlled by authorities. Alvin āCreepy Karpisā Karpowicz served the longest sentence of any Alcatraz inmate, while Arthur āDocā Barker tried to escape in 1939 but was shot dead. Henri Young became infamous after killing a fellow inmate, highlighting the prisonās brutal conditions. Even the most dangerous criminals were humbled by the Rock.
š The Great Escape (or Did They?)
Alcatrazās reputation was cemented by the 36 men who tried to escape in 14 attempts over 29 years. Most failed, some were killed, and a few vanished into the frigid bay. Joe Bowers fell to his death in 1936. Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe disappeared into a storm in 1937, never to be seen again. Violent incidents occurred, such as the 1938 hammer attack on Officer Royal Cline. In 1941 and 1943, several hostage situations and failed escape attempts kept the prison on edge.
š Clever but Doomed
In 1945, John Giles tried to escape using a stolen army uniform but ended up on Angel Island. The infamous Battle of Alcatraz in 1946 turned the cellhouse into a war zone, leaving guards and inmates dead, with nearly 20 others injured. The bloodiest chapter in the prisonās history was a three-day struggle before Marines regained control.
š Into the Bay
Later escape attempts included Floyd Wilson hiding along the shoreline, Aaron Burgett disappearing after a swim, and the legendary 1962 escape of Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin. Using homemade tools and dummy heads, the trio slipped through vent holes into the bay, never confirmed to have survived. John Paul Scott and Darl Parker also attempted the waters, facing hypothermia and capture. Alcatrazās icy waters, strong currents, and distance to shore made every escape perilous.
ā°ļø Closing the Rock
Alcatraz officially closed on March 21, 1963, after 29 years. The closure was due to the prisonās high operating costs, not famous disappearances. Every supply had to be ferried in, and the island lacked fresh water, making it inefficient. Plans never materialized to repurpose the island, including a shopping center, hotel, or UN monument.
šŖ¶ The Indians of All Tribes Occupation
In 1969, Native American activists, calling themselves the Indians of All Tribes, claimed the island to create a cultural and educational center. Public support was strong, but vandalism, graffiti, and fire plagued the project. By June 1971, federal authorities removed the remaining occupants. Today, Alcatraz is a National Historic Landmark, a haunting reminder of its layered past.
š» Ghosts of Alcatraz: Hauntings Begin
After Alcatraz closed in 1963, the island didnāt fall silent. Decades of violence, solitary confinement, and fatal escapes left echoes that many claim still lingers. From shadowy figures behind barred windows to footsteps in empty corridors, visitors and former guards alike report chilling encounters. D-Block, home to the most dangerous prisoners, is said to be the epicenter of paranormal activity.
š³ļø Cell Block D: āThe Holeā
D-Blockās Treatment Unit, especially āThe Hole,ā confined the worst offenders in small, bare cells. Stripped of comforts and subjected to extreme isolation, inmates often faced icy winds and total deprivation. Paranormal researchers report cold spots, feelings of dread, and ghostly presences, particularly in Cells 12 and 14-D. Psychic impressions, visions of suffering inmates, and reports of red-eyed spirits have all been documented, with some deaths in these cells remaining mysterious.
šļø Cellblock C: Echoes of Violence
The 1946 Battle of Alcatraz left a spiritual imprint in Cellblock C. Visitors report clanging noises, apparitions in prison fatigues, and disembodied voices. The laundry room is particularly active, linked to the murdered mob hitman Abie āButcherā Maldowitz, whose angry presence is said to linger.
š„ The Hospital Ward
Alcatrazās hospital housed the mentally ill and dangerous inmates. Today, echoes of screams, moving wheelchairs, and ghostly figures are familiar. Robert Stroud, the āBirdman of Alcatraz,ā is reported wandering the ward, continuing his work from beyond the grave.
š The Wardenās House & The Lady in Green
The burned Wardenās residence reportedly hosts phantom parties, mysterious music, and spectral figures. The Lady in Green, a ghostly woman in the former wardenās washroom, is often seen gazing out windows or accompanied by sobbing. Her identity is debated, possibly tied to a wardenās wife or a military spouse.
š» Other Haunting Experiences
Guards and visitors report glowing-eyed entities, phantom soldiers and prisoners, disembodied voices, cold drafts, and the sensation of being watched. EVP recordings and paranormal investigations have captured screams, laughter, and the presence of spirits like Harry Burnette.
š Eyewitness Reports
Tourists on night tours frequently hear voices, see shadows, or feel intense pressure in solitary cells. Reddit users recount chilling experiences, from unexplained laughs to sudden nausea in reinforced cells. Some have captured āheyā whispers in their ears, eerily echoed in past accounts.
From CBS News: Researchers mapping Alcatraz for erosion and climate change spent three weeks living in D Block, with no heat or showers. One member fled the mugshot room after hearing scraping furniture, voices, and a piano playing in an empty room. Visitors continue to report moaning, cries, and strange activity throughout the island, echoing Native American beliefs of dark spirits lingering on the Rock.
š® Outro
Is Alcatraz just a monument to dark history, or a place where the restless dead linger? Its secrets remain tightly held, and perhaps some prisoners still serve their time. For those brave enough to visit, the night tour offers a chilling glimpse into its haunted past. Stay curious, cautiousā¦ and haunted.
š£ļø Featured Pronunciations
Robert Stroud ā strood
Alvin āCreepyā Karpis ā KAR-pis
Henri Young ā on-REE young
Huron āTedā Walters ā HEW-ron
References and Bibliography
1. Alcatraz Experience. 5 Haunting Stories of Alcatraz Told by Former Inmates. https://alcatraz-experience.com/5-haunting-stories-of-alcatraz-told-by-former-inmates/
Shares ghost stories directly from former inmates, emphasizing personal experiences and emotional impact. Enhances credibility for the ghost story segments.
2. CBS News. Climate Researchers on Alcatraz Island Have Haunting Experience Staying in Prison Cells. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/climate-researchers-on-alcatraz-island-have-haunting-experience-staying-in-prison-cells/
Reports modern accounts of researchers staying overnight on Alcatraz and experiencing unexplained phenomena. Supports the segment on contemporary hauntings and paranormal investigations.
3. Federal Bureau of Prisons. History of Alcatraz. https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp
Official government resource on Alcatrazās operational history, closure, and administration. Provides credible data on prison operations, costs, and management.
4. Gray Line San Francisco. Alcatrazās Most Dangerous Inmates. https://graylineofsanfrancisco.com/alcatrazs-most-dangerous-inmates/
Details the lives and crimes of Alcatrazās most notorious prisoners, including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and Robert Stroud. Useful for the āFamous Inmatesā segment.
5. HauntedHouses.com. Alcatraz Prison National Park ā Paranormal Findings. https://hauntedhouses.com/california/alcatraz-prison-national-park/#:~:text=PARANORMAL%20FINDINGS&text=The%20evil%20red%2Deyed%20creature,to%20do%20harm%20to%20people.&text=Many%20psychic%20mediums%20have%20visited,Butcher%20free%20through%20another%20seance.
Provides detailed accounts from psychics and paranormal investigators of hauntings in specific cells, including D-Block and the laundry room. Supports segments on ghost sightings and EVP evidence.
6. Legends of America. Haunted Alcatraz. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ca-alcatrazghosts/
Covers paranormal stories and legends tied to Alcatraz, including ghost sightings and psychic investigations. Useful for the āHauntingsā and folklore sections.
7. National Park Service. The Fascinating History of Alcatraz. https://www.nps.gov/alca/learn/historyculture/index.htm#:~:text=The%20Fascinating%20History%20of%20Alcatraz,contribution%20to%20the%20nation's%20history.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Alcatrazās history, including its military origins, transformation into a federal penitentiary, and role in U.S. history. Useful for background context and historical accuracy.
8. Probation Information Network. The Hole. https://www.probationinfo.org/the-hole/
Focuses on solitary confinement practices, including Alcatrazās D-Block and āThe Hole.ā Offers insight into prison punishment methods and extreme isolation.
9. US Ghost Adventures. Hauntings of Alcatraz Island. https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-stories/alcatraz-island-hauntings-of-the-prison-island/#:~:text=Braving%20Alcatraz%2014%2DD,screaming%20about%20a%20deadly%20intruder.
Focuses on firsthand accounts of paranormal activity from investigators and visitors, including eerie experiences in Cell 14-D. Useful for the āCreepy Cellsā and haunting narrative.