Interesting facts about the world's most famous prison

(Patria) - Alcatraz is an island covering nine hectares in the San Francisco Bay in the United States of America.

In the mid-20th century, it was considered the most secure prison in America. Today, however, it is a major tourist attraction visited by over a million people each year, writes Punkufer.

Alcatraz translates from Spanish to pelican, and the island was named precisely after these birds.

It is said that as early as 1775, Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala named it La Isla de los alcatraces, or Island of the Pelicans. It also carries the nickname The Rock.

The island was originally conceived as a military fortification, and it officially became a prison many years later.

Nevertheless, a group of Native Americans were imprisoned there at the end of the 19th century because they refused to behave according to the rules of the US government.

Cells in the prison were smaller than some closets. In Blocks B and C, they measured only 1.5 x 2.7 meters, which was enough to fit a small bed, a toilet, and a miniature sink with cold water.

The prison was open until March 21, 1963, when it was permanently closed. During its peak popularity, guards and other prison staff lived on the island with their families.

Thirty-six people attempted to escape from Alcatraz. Twenty-three individuals were caught during their escape attempts, six were shot by guards, and two drowned.

The remaining five men disappeared without a trace. It is presumed that they also drowned, but their bodies were never found.

Numerous criminals served sentences in Alcatraz, the most famous being Al Capone, who spent four and a half years there.

Although it was once claimed that no one could swim from Alcatraz to the shore, it is indeed possible.

Moreover, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is held every year, proving this claim.

The swim is 2.4 kilometers from the island to San Francisco, the bike ride is 28 kilometers, and the run is 12 kilometers.