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A series of views showing the cellhouse area known to inmates as “Times Square.” The second photograph was taken on August 20, 1934
The cells in A Block were generally used in special solitary confinement conditions for short-term lock-up periods or whenever an inmate needed to be fully isolated from his fellow prisoners. Following the construction of D Block in 1941, A Block was used only in special circumstances. Several of the cells served as storage space for things such as cleaning supplies, and others were set up as small offices with ribbon typewriters and law references for inmates who were preparing their legal cases.
Inmates later named the main corridor ru
The area known to inmates as “Seedy Street.”
A view from the D Block entrance, looking down “Seedy Street” towards “Park Ave.”
Park Avenue. This was considered by inmates as the best cell location, because of its warmth and sunlight.
Inmates considered this group of cells to be the best living area in the entire prison. The cells were considerably warmer, as they received some direct sunlight and when no one was at work in the library, they had limited privacy. The cellhouse plumbing system piped in saltwater from the San Francisco Bay for the flushing of cell toilets. It was said to have permeated the cells with a foul smell that the inmates hated, and this would be the origin of Warden Johnston’s nickname, “Saltwater Johnston.”
There were several tests performed on the new “tool-proof” bar structures. The new round-style bars were forged from a layered composite material, and they replaced the older flat-style bars. In tests, prison perso
On average, inmates were required to spend sixteen hours per day confined in their cells. Those who had no work assignment would spend twenty-three hours a day in lockdown.
John Paul Chase, the partner of Baby Face Nelson, was convicted for the murder of an FBI Agent, and was an avid artist during his tenure at Alcatraz.
Guard Towers
An armed officer standing on the exterior walk of the Road Tower. Visible in the distance is the Model Shop Tower.
Two exterior views of armed officers standing on the catwalk of the Road Tower. Guard Tower Officers stood ready to fire upon any inmate who attempted to escape, or any vessel that breached the 200-yard perimeter.
The guard towers were considered one of the worst post assignments by correctional officers. The towers were typically cold and boring during the long shifts and activities such as reading or listening to a radio were prohibited.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons built six guard towers which were ma
The Dock Tower.
The prison had six watchtowers that were constructed as tactical lookouts. The Dock Tower was located at the north end of the dock area. The officer assigned to this post would watch for any vessels that failed to maintain a minimum 200-yard distance, and he would also be the keeper of the keys to the prison launch. The Main Tower was originally located on the northeast roof area of the main cellhouse. It was ma
Most of the tower posts had their own toilets and ru