If you have learned about prohibition, chances are you have heard of Alphonse Gabriel Capone. If his name doesn’t sound familiar, it is because he is better known as Al Capone. He was an influence in the 1920’s for the abolition of prohibition. Al “Scarface” Capone was born on January 17, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York city to a poor immigrant family. The Capones lived with their eight children in a New York tenement (rented space). Capone was a very bright student, but he quit school in the sixth grade after associating with a street gang led by Johnny Torrio. In fact, he was a member of two “kid gangs”: the Brooklyn Rippers and the Forty Thieves Juniors. Between the scams he did with his group, he worked as a clerk in a candystore, a pinboy at a bowling alley, and a book bindery cutter. He soon became part of the notorious Five Points gang, and worked as a bouncer and a bartender in hideout of Frankie Yale, a famous New York gangster. It is here where he received the infamous nickname “Scarface”. After giving an insult to a female patron, …show more content…
Tax evasion is not paying your taxes. If he ever did go to court, he would bribe the judge and the jury to rule in his favor. He did not do this because he was very popular with the news who would interview him and put news stories about him. But tax evasion would be his downfall. In 1931, Capone was sentenced to seven years in prison. Since he was a federal prisoner, his new residence would be Alcatraz. Interesting fact: he was one of the first people to go to Alcatraz. His cell was not far from the luxury that he lived in Chicago. There was a carpet, furniture, and even a radio that other inmates would gather around to listen to. Four and a half years into his sentence, Capone was sent to Terminal Island Prison in Southern California to finish his sentence. Meanwhile, two years into his sentence, the 21st amendment was signed into law, repealing the 18th amendment. Prohibition was