4 of Alcatraz’s Most Notorious Inmates

The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, or Alcatraz Island as it was popularly called, was a maximum-security federal prison that operated for nearly 30 years off the coast of San Francisco. Today, it draws tourists eager to learn about its strange history, but it wasn’t always a place you wanted to visit. Rather the opposite.

If you’re curious about the history of Alcatraz and its criminal residents, we highly recommend a cruise to the island. To whet your appetite, we’ve rounded up (pun intended) the most notorious inmates on Alcatraz through the years.

But first, a quick intro to the island.

What is Alcatraz?

Alcatraz’s original inhabitants were pelicans. “La Isla de los Alcatraces” means the Island of the Pelicans in Spanish. 

In 1850, the island was turned into a military reservation, and troops became year-round residents later that decade.

The government soon figured out that the island was handy as a prison, too, and those accused of treason, deserting and more were incarcerated at the new military prison on Alcatraz Island.

Some of these weren’t heinous criminals. For example, the California Democratic Committee chairman was arrested in the 1860s for a political speech. Others who disagreed with the government — including several Native Amercans — were also sent to Alcatraz for confinement.

But in the 1930s, the federal government was looking for a remote place to create a truly secure prison, one where those incarcerated would be completely cut off from the outside world. Alcatraz was perfect.

From 1934-1963, this island surrounded by swift bay currents and cliffs was a maximum security prison. With its increased security and isolated location, it was considered to be America’s strongest prison. Its reputation for being impossible to escape from was one of the main reasons notorious criminals were sent there. 

You can see where these dangerous felons were held by visiting the historic Alcatraz Island yourself with our Fisherman’s Wharf Walking Tour with your Alcatraz Island ticket included.

The best of the famous waterfront and the infamous prison

Fisherman’s Wharf Walking Tour With Alcatraz Ticket

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Here are some of the more ruthless inmates who’ve been housed in Alcatraz.

Alphonse Capone AKA Al Capone AKA Scarface

Often identified as a modern-day Robin Hood, Al Capone was one of Alcatraz’s most high-profile residents. He started a life of crime at a young page, indulging in various rackets such as bootlegging, prostitution rings, and gambling houses. 

He managed to avoid prison for a long time by winning the hearts of the public by opening soup kitchens and other acts of kindness but eventually ended up spending over four years on “The Rock.” America’s most notorious mob boss would try to manipulate the system to get additional privileges but was never able to while on Alcatraz.

George “Machine Gun” Kelly

George “Machine Gun” Kelly was a small-time bootlegger before gaining the title of Public Enemy Number One with an increased number of robberies and kidnappings. 

Arriving in Alcatraz on September 4th, 1934, Kelly was among one of the first groups of prisoners to be held there.

Though he often boasted to his fellow prisoners about murders and robberies he never actually committed, Kelly proved to be a model inmate. He worked in the laundry, held an administrative role in the industries office, and even served as an altar boy in the prison chapel.

Robert Stroud AKA The Birdman of Alcatraz

Despite his nickname, Robert Stroud never actually cared for any birds in Alcatraz, but rather during the time he spent in Leavenworth. 

It started with a single wounded canary he found in the recreation yard and developed into a hobby where he would nurse birds to health and even breed them. 

After carefully studying their habits, he even wrote two books on canaries and their diseases and his observations would benefit research on canaries for years to come. He was one of the most violent inmates to ever stay in Alcatraz and spent a lot of his time in segregation.

Roy G. Gardner

During the Roaring Twenties, Roy Gardner was America’s most notorious outlaw and infamous prison escapee. 

He is considered the “Last Great American Train Robber” and was dubbed by the newspapers as King of the Escape Artists. Once captured, he tried to tunnel under a wall, and later led a prison break holding two guards and the captain hostage. 

Because of his many attempts to flee, Gardner was eventually transferred to Alcatraz, which he later described as “the toughest, hardest place in the world.” He even wrote a biography about his time there, “Hellcatraz,” which recounts tales of his life in the bleak prison.

Notorious criminals and so much more!

Looking for more? We wrote a whole guide on how to visit Alcatraz Island when you’re in SF. Check it out for logistics on how to get there and what to see when you reach the island. Your Fisherman’s Wharf tour guide can also help you get to Alcatraz Island.

If all of this sounds a little unsavory and you’re feeling more like a light hike up colorful outdoor staircases or tasting your way through the Mission District, we got you. Check out our other tours in San Francisco.

We can’t wait to show you around!