Image #1 | Cell C-141
Being a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, I sometimes forget about the most popular locations that tourists enjoy during their visits here. In this case, the prison island of Alcatraz. Many years ago I took a tour at the prison (also a National Park), but since then, I hadn’t thought about going back. Heck, I see Alcatraz every time I cross the Bay Bridge. Then I had a close friend who said that she had an interesting story about the prison.
What was the story? Well, she said that her grandfather (now deceased) had claimed that he was an inmate at Alcatraz. Unfortunately due to circumstances, he had a long history of criminal activity and prison internment, but still it seemed unlikely that he was ever an inmate. Even though he had told her he was serious about this fact years ago, she never really believed it. That was until she tried to look him up in Google, and was referred to “Alcatraz Inmate.” Reeeally? This sounds interesting.
So on one of her trips out to the Bay Area, we decide to do a little investigation together. There happens to be a huge archive of the records of Alcatraz located in San Bruno, which is not far from the city of San Francisco. We head out there to see if we can find any pertinent information regarding her grandfather. Sure enough, we find his name, and surprisingly, there is a huge file containing approximately 2,500 pages that dictate his criminal record and his stay at Alcatraz and other prisons.
Needless to say, I found it interesting to read some of the files and rap sheets. My friend was even more interested in finding other information about her grandfather and about other people she knew when she was younger. One thing that was important to her was to find out what cell he had stayed in while he was incarcerated. It turned out to be cell C-141. The adviser at the archive stated that cell C-141 was on an available floor and we would be able to see it up close and personal.
We headed out to the ferry on the San Francisco wharf, and took it to Alcatraz. The trip only lasted about fifteen minutes, and you can hear the noise of the city from the island. I am sure it must have been tough to see the lives of free civilians from your jail cell knowing you were not a part of it.
Attached are some images from our trip out to the prison. I am glad that we went, but glad to not have to stay there.
Image #2 | A short distance away, Alcatraz Island
Image #3 | A not so subtle warning to STAY AWAY
Image #4 | Welcome Indians (from the protests of the 70's)
Image #5 | A dilapidated staircase
Image #6 | A sealed off prison block
Image #7 | A true Free Bird
Image #8 | Water tank
Image #9 | Guard house
Image #10 | Old social room
by Michael
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