Operating from 1934-1963, Alcatraz was once considered the most highly secured prison. Housing criminals such as Al Capone and famous murderer Robert Stroud, the prison held some of the country’s worst criminals. While claiming to never have an inmate escape, numerous attempts were made by John Paul Scott, Darl Lee Parker, and Joseph Bowers but failed. Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe also fled, but after jumping in the San Francisco Bay they were never seen again. It was assumed that the two men drowned and their bodies were swept away due to severe weather conditions. One of the most famous cases of escaping involves Frank Morris and brothers John Anglin and Clarence Anglin. The men meticulously planned their escape by preparing life-like dummy
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Among these historians is Michael Esslinger author of Alcatraz: A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years. Esslinger provides an assortment of evidence that proves his thesis. The original plan for Morris and the Anglin brothers was to steal a car. However, there were no reports of a stolen car in Marin County within the twelve day period after the escape. On July 17, 1962, one month after the escape, a Norwegian Freighter claimed in seeing a body floating by the Golden Gate Bridge. However, the ship failed to report the sighting until October because it was en route to Canada. The description of the body was sparse because the body was face down, but the clothing was clearly visible through binoculars. The body was clothed in full length denim trousers, similar to the uniforms issued for prisoners. Furthermore, there were no reports of any missing individuals that could be found in similar clothing. This finding was one of the most significant leads in the case. Another important aspect of this case is the families of the men. For the Anglins, none of the family members were contacted by the brothers. The family insists that the men would’ve contacted someone in some form if they had
Among these historians is Michael Esslinger author of Alcatraz: A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years. Esslinger provides an assortment of evidence that proves his thesis. The original plan for Morris and the Anglin brothers was to steal a car. However, there were no reports of a stolen car in Marin County within the twelve day period after the escape. On July 17, 1962, one month after the escape, a Norwegian Freighter claimed in seeing a body floating by the Golden Gate Bridge. However, the ship failed to report the sighting until October because it was en route to Canada. The description of the body was sparse because the body was face down, but the clothing was clearly visible through binoculars. The body was clothed in full length denim trousers, similar to the uniforms issued for prisoners. Furthermore, there were no reports of any missing individuals that could be found in similar clothing. This finding was one of the most significant leads in the case. Another important aspect of this case is the families of the men. For the Anglins, none of the family members were contacted by the brothers. The family insists that the men would’ve contacted someone in some form if they had