...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...
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...Alcatraz, also known as “the rock”, is an island off the coast of San Francisco. It started out as military base and later on was used as a prison. It held many famous criminals that were usually but not always sent there for misbehaving at the first prison they were sent to. This paper will talk about the prior uses for the island of Alcatraz, the notable people that served their time in the prison, the escape attempts that were made, and what the island is used for today. In 1850 Alcatraz Island was set aside specifically for military purposes. When the American Civil war broke out, cannons were mounted along the perimeter of the island but were only used in defense. Also during this time, the island was used for storage of firearms to prevent them falling into the hands of Confederate sympathizers. Because of the location of the island, Alcatraz was used to house Civil War prisoners beginning in 1861. The Spanish-American war increased the prison population from 26 to over 450 in 1898. Many renovations were to done to the prison over time, to increase the number of people that could be housed there. In 1933 the fortress was deactivated as a military prison, which created the opportunity for the island to become a federal prison. From the 1930’s- 1960's, Alcatraz was America’s leading maximum-security prison, the final stop for the nation's most persistent inmates. Al Capone and Robert Stroud “the Bird Man of Alcatraz” are considered two of the most famous...
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...Alcatraz: United States Penitentiary As a result of the Great Depression, a new breed of violent criminals swept the streets of America. In response to the cries of alarmed citizens, Congress enacted a number of statutes, which gave the federal government jurisdiction over certain criminal offenses previously held by the states. With the suggestion of former US Attorney General, Homes Cummings, Congress agreed that a special penal institution of maximum security and minimum privilege be established. In 1934, the legendary US Penitentiary of Alcatraz was born and became the home of Americas most wanted for the next thirty years. Once authorized by Congress, the US Department of Justice acquired control of Alcatraz Island, previously a US Army compound. As the island was redeveloped into a maximum-security prison, seven of its twelve acres were enclosed in a prison compound. The remaining five were set aside for employee residences, apartments, and recreational space. Soon after the redesigning of the old Army fortress, the Alcatraz prison was ready for the grand opening (or better said lockout!). Equipped with four different cellblocks, A, B, C and D, the Rock began its operations on January 2, 1934. Although cellblock A was seldom used, B, C and D provided 378 “cages” to accommodate the most notorious felons that America could produce. The first of four wardens to take charge of the penitentiary was a retired, professional administrator...
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...Alcatraz is a prison that is based on an island in the San Francisco Bay in California. The prison was named an inescapable prison because it was surrounded by fifty to fifty four degree water. The island was first discovered by land in 1755 by Lt. don Juan Manuel de Ayala but had been seen by Sir Francis Drake when he docked in San Francisco bay. The prison is known for having some of the deadliest and most deceiving inmates out of any other prison. The prison has had many escape attempts but most have failed, except for one which was made by Frank Lee Morris and three fellow inmates. The island's history dates back a long time ago, but became a military institution in 1850, when president Millard Fillmore signed an order and fortified the island to protect the San Francisco Bay. The island first caught attention when Lt. don Juan Manuel de Ayala first discovered it and mapped it out in 1755. In the late 1850s the U.S. army began holding military prisoners on the island. They held the prisoners on the island because it is totally isolated and surrounded by water....
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...describe to the audience a brief history of Alcatraz. Thesis: Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories exaggerated in movies and television shows. INTRODUCTION I. If you disobey the rules of society, they send you to prison; if you disobey the rules of the prison, they send you to Alcatraz. II. Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories of mistreatment and escape attempts exaggerated in movies and television shows. III. Alcatraz served as the federal government’s response to post-prohibition America. Both the institution and the men confined within its walls are a part of this era. The most famous inmate being, Al Capone and others like George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”. A. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock”. B. Then, I will discuss life on the island and as an inmate in the prison. C. And last, I will discuss the popular culture of Alcatraz; including some failed escape attempts before the closing of the prison. BODY I. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz. A. Alcatraz opened in 1934, as a wave of gangsterism and violence was sweeping the country. Alcatraz had served as an army prison in years prior...
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...* Alcatraz Informative Speech Outline General Purpose: To inform the class Specific Purpose: To describe to the audience a brief history of Alcatraz. Thesis: Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories exaggerated in movies and television shows. INTRODUCTION I. If you disobey the rules of society, they send you to prison; if you disobey the rules of the prison, they send you to Alcatraz. II. Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories of mistreatment and escape attempts exaggerated in movies and television shows. III. Alcatraz served as the federal government’s response to post-prohibition America. Both the institution and the men confined within its walls are a part of this era. The most famous inmate being, Al Capone and others like George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”. A. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock”. B. Then, I will discuss life on the island and as an inmate in the prison. C. And last, I will discuss the popular culture of Alcatraz; including some failed escape attempts before the closing of the prison. BODY I. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz. A. Alcatraz opened in 1934, as a wave...
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...could there ever have been a place where dangerous murderers and infamous criminals would go to to serve out their sentences but, yet, be closed as a prison because it it failed its objective - keeping prisoners “in”? Alcatraz Prison, built on Alcatraz Island and surrounded on all sides by water and difficult to escape from, was considered by many to be the “perfect” place to build a prison for the most dangerous of our citizens. It was called “The Rock” and is as infamous as some of it’s most famous prisoners, such as Al Capone. What made Alcatraz special was its location, its construction and its famous inhabitants. Despite closing its doors as a prison many years ago, Alcatraz has now opened up it’s doors as a museum and national curiosity....
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...Alcatraz was one one of the most secure super-prison in America. There have only been a few attempts of people escaping. It was made in 1909. One of the most famous prisoners there was Al Capone. After long years it went out of business, and now it is a tourist place. Alcatraz was the most secure prison in America. It was made in 1909 on an island about a mile and a half off the coast of San Francisco. It was made because the prohibition law caused a crime spree. They made it also because san francisco had a lot of illegal bars that were made. They were in the downstairs of some random places where no one would expect there to be one. One of the most famous person that was sent to Alcatraz was Al Capone. He was...
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...Alcatraz Part II INTRODUCTION In this paper, I will discuss the key events following the creation of Alcatraz, examining the significant purpose of each incident, and explaining why the establishment of Alcatraz has lead to become such an important American figure in the Criminal Justice world. This paper will also go into more depth of some of America’s well-known gangsters who were held at Alcatraz and their plotted extreme escapes. I will examine each aspect of Alcatraz and try to draw significant conclusions and information from this supermax prison and the famous criminals that served time there. Once Alcatraz had been built, there were many questions about whether or not this prison was able to handle such a significant crowd of elegant prisoners. Many issues had came up for prison officials and the media had given an image to the public that incorporated those issues, causing questioning from the public about whatever was going on in Alcatraz was being deemed constitutional. David Ward, along with Gene Kassebaum in Alcatraz: The gangster years, do a great job in bringing out detailed facts about topics and concerns that was being brought up after the migration of America’s most dangerous criminals into this institution. This paper will look deep into whether or not creating such a commendable prison was worth all the attention from concerned officials and citizens. SUMMARY A theory that I had encountered throughout the second part of this book was how much attention...
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...Meusec English IV 9 February 2015 Alcatraz I. 1775 A. Manuel de Ayala names the island of San Francisco Bay “La Isla de los Alcatracs” meaning island of Pelicans. II. 1848 A. Mexican-American war ended and California became a state. B. Gold was discovered along the American river and the gold rush began III. 1850 A. The Army and Navy built a triangle of defense around the bay to protect it from the gold rush B. They built 111 cannons around the fort i. Weaponary on the island was never fired in purposed to protect the island IV. 1854 A. Alcatraz Lighthouse began service V. 1863 A. J.M. Chapman, Confederate privateer ship, was seized and its crew were arrested and imprisoned on alctraz B. A wooden structure was built to house the prisoners. i. Soon more prisoners were housed a. The structure built was meant to house 500 men VI. 1898 A. Spanish-American War resulted in the prison being overcrowded VII. 1900 A. Upper prison was built on the parade grounds of Alcatraz VIII. 1906 A. Earthquake forced neighboring prisons to transfer inmates to Alcatraz i. Alcatraz became overcrowded so prisoners forced to build new prison IX. 1907 Alcatraz is designated as the “Pacific Branch, U.S. Military Prison” X. 1912 A. New Cellhouse (3rd prison built, and currently still standing), was built by prisoners, and prisoners moved in XI. 1915 A. Alcatraz was renamed “United states, Disciplinary...
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...and it did just that. Alcatraz, or “the Rock” didn’t start off as a high security prison, it actually served as a lighthouse. Alcatraz was built in 1934, and is located in San Francisco California in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. By the time Alcatraz closed in 1963, it had certainly done its job. Government officials needed a prison as tough and as hard as its criminals, and the solution was Alcatraz. Once you were in there was no going out. That’s how it was in Alcatraz. Well, accept for the few brave enough to try and escape. In its twenty nine years, there were 36 escape attempts from Alcatraz. Twenty three were caught, six were shot and killed, and two drowned. Two men, after being caught were later executed in the gas chamber. Officially, no one ever succeeded in escaping from Alcatraz, although five prisoners are listed as missing and presumed drowned. James Borman, Harold Brest, Floyd Hamilton and Fred Hunter managed to take two officers as hostages and make it all the way to the water’s edge before one of the officers was able to make contact and get help. Shots were fired at Borman, Brest and Hamilton who were swimming. Hunter and Brest both surrendered. Borman was hit by gunfire and sank below the waters surface. Hamilton was initially presumed drowned. But two days later, after hiding out in a small shoreline cave, made his way back up to the industries area as if nothing ever happened. Life in Alcatraz wasn’t pretty. The purpose of Alcatraz was to tame the untameable...
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...would be futile. The name of this prison is Alcatraz, the home of the wicked where it was a curse to be a prisoner and if you made it out alive of this facility, your time spent there will haunt of you for the rest of your days. The island received its name in 1775 when Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala charted the San Francisco Bay, and named this tiny island land La Isla de los Alcatraces, which translated to "Island of the Pelicans." About seventy-two years later in 1847, the U.S. Army took notice of the island rock and of its strategic value as a military base. Engineers began conducting geological surveys, and by 1853, U.S. Army Engineers had started building a military base on the island, along with the Pacific Coast's first operating lighthouse. In 1848, the discovery of gold along the American River in California brought miners from around the world to the West Coast in search of the precious gold. As word spread around the globe of never-ending wealth in California, the United States Government would begin security measures to protect the land from seizure by other countries. After several years of hard construction and many weapons expansions, Alcatraz was established as the United States strong point for military strength . The new military fortress featured long-range iron cannons and four massive 36,000-pound, 15-inch Rodman guns, which were capable of sinking emneny ships three miles away. The guns of Alcatraz could fire 6,949 pounds of iron...
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...Name: Willie Botkins Period: 1 Date: _5/18/2015 Chapter 26 Study Guide Vocabulary: Define the following. 1. Carrying capacity- when population size has not yet reach the carrying capacity. 2. Density-dependent factor- affect population growth , such as disease, predators, and competition for food 3. Density –independent factor- environmental factors that do not depend on population size such as storms and fires. 4. Exponential growth- which is a pattern of growth in which a population grows faster as it increases 5. Bioremediation- the use of organisms to clean up or break down toxic waste. 6. Deforestation- removing all the trees and plants in a area 7. Pesticide- chemicals applied to farm fields to control weeds and insects and fungi 8. Reclamation- to restore the land to its original form 9. Acid precipitation- forms when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine 10. Ozone hole- which is a decrease in the ozone in polar regions 11. Photochemical smog- that’s forms mainly from automobile exhaust in the presence of sunlight 12. Nonpoint source-generates pollution from widespread areas 13. Point source- originate from a single point of origin Questions: Answer the following questions. 14. Identify ways to conserve water. Fix leaky toilets, bathtubs, and faucets 15. Summarize the types and sources of water pollution. Groundwater pollution, ocean pollution 16. Describe some methods of controlling water...
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...As of time so far there have been many moments. Most of these moments have affected us. Have you ever thought about The Construction of Alcatraz? You may be thinking how has Alcatraz affected us. Many ways it has had a positive influence, is the prison' captured bad criminals, helped people out, and became a popular tourist attraction. One way Alcatraz has had a positive influence, is the capturing of the most evil criminals. One popular criminal Alcatraz captured is Al Capone. Al Capone was one of the most popular criminals. He had some Incarceration In Atlanta, Georgia, and he also corrupt prison officers. Another prisoner they caught was George Kelly. George Kelly also known as Machine Gun. He was known to kidnapped people. One other...
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...Daring Escapes of Alcatraz Alcatraz, “Once considered the prison of American prisons, the island of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay has been an asset to the U.S. Army, the federal prison system, jailhouse folklore, and the historic evolution of the West Coast” (Mahaney). “In nineteen thirty four Alcatraz was converted into a Federal prison” (“Escapes”). Juan Manuel de Ayala, “He called the twenty two acre rocky island ‘La Isla de los Alcatraces’, meaning ‘Island of the Pelicans’” (Mahaney). “Alcatraz was reserved for military use under President Millard Fillmore in eighteen fifty” (Mahaney). Then “The old military prison was upgraded and installed with the latest ‘escape-proof’ safeguards” (“Escapes”). Although, “It was assumed the ‘treacherous...
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