One of the most infamous prisons in US history was Alcatraz Island. Located off the coast of San Francisco, the island was used as a prison for some of the most dangerous prisoners. Although the prison has long since been shut down, Alcatraz Island remains a hot-bed of paranormal activity. As such, it has attracted the attention of millions of people. But more than that, it has become a stain on US pride, a symbol of oppression that many of America’s prisoners have faced.

Alcatraz was originally founded in 1775 by an explorer named Juan Manuel de Ayala. Later, in 1850, it was reserved by President Millard Fillmore for military use. Eventually, the US military started putting prisoners on the island. Some of the first prisoners included citizens who sympathized with the Confederacy during the Civil War. When the Spanish-American War occurred, the prison population increased. When the military handed the prison to the US Justice Department, Alcatraz became a federal prison that would house only the most dangerous criminals, some of which would include the likes of Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert Stroud.

Alcatraz became known for its inhumane conditions during its operation. Prisoners were beaten, starved, and regularly stripped. They were also forced to sleep on the hard floor with next to nothing. The guards would throw feces, urine, and food at them. Prisoners, such as Ed Wutke, committed suicide as a way to end the pain. Other prisoners, like Rufe Persful, pleaded with another prisoner to chop off his other hand after cutting off his own fingers. The environment wasn’t helped by the constant influx of violent prisoners, one of which was Robert Stroud, who managed to kill a prison guard and other prisoners. There would be many more instances where prisoners would kill other prisoners, many more horrific deaths that would include infamous figures like Doc Barker and Henri Young.

Of course, there have been inmates who tried escaping from Alcatraz, one of which even culminated in a battle that ended with numerous deaths and two inmates, both of whom were inmates. Eventually, Alcatraz ended up closing their doors due to high operating costs and eroding building structure. After a failed attempt for Native Americans to claim the island for its own, the island has since then become a tourist site, geared towards paranormal enthusiasts and empathetic individuals who are just starting to peel back layers of corrupt justice.

Writers have long been fascinated by Alcatraz. From the Al Capone at Alcatraz series by Gennifer Choldenko to the Alcatraz series by Brandon Sanderson, to even The Edge of Lost by Kirstina McMorris, it’s clear that many literary-minded individuals are interested in the maximum-security prison. And in all honesty, it’s easy to see why. From its dark history to its macabre appearance, there’s no doubt Alcatraz would have its eccentric fans. But whether that be through thrillers, supernatural horrors, or even a young adult novel, Alcatraz continues to entice its audience to this day.