Alcatraz Prison Commands Significant Historical and Cultural Significance: Aspects of Alcatraz Prison - Case Study Example

Alcatraz Prison of the Name of the Concerned Professor April 26, 2011 Alcatraz Prison Introduction Alcatraz is an island placed in the San Francisco Bay. It is located at a distance of 1.5 miles from San Francisco, California. People often do prefer to call this island ‘The Rock’. In the earlier days, this island used to serve as a light house. Later on, this island was used for a wide range of purposes like a military prison, a federal prison, and a military base. In the year 1976, Alcatraz was declared to be a national recreation area. In the current context, National Park Service operates Alcatraz as a historic site, lying within the domain of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Wellman, 2008). Hence, Alcatraz is open to all tourists interested in visiting an exploring this historical landmark. Tourists can board a ferry from San Francisco to reach Alcatraz. It is not without a reason that Alcatraz prison has often featured in a range of cultural expressions like Hollywood movies, literature, TV programs, games and comics (Oliver, 1998). In a broader perspective, Alcatraz prison commands significant historical and cultural significance. Thus, it will be quiet interesting to delve on varied aspects of Alcatraz prison. The Name It was in the year 1775 that the Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala passed the Golden Gate bay area in the ship San Carlos (Wellman, 2008). On coming across the island under consideration, Juan named it Isla de Las Alcatraces or ‘The Island of the Pelicans’ (Wellman, 2008). Ironically, going by the history of Alcatraz, pelicans are the last thing one conjures up while thinking about this prison. Juan named it so after being inspired by the large Pelican population residing in the area (Wellman, 2008). With the passage of time, the original name of this island got Americanized to be Alcatraz. As long as the Spanish held sway in this area, they did not use this island for any civil or military purposes, because of it being barren and inhospitable (Wellman, 2008). Military Base It was sometime in 1827 that the US military identified Alcatraz as a potential military base, considering its strategic location on the West Coast (Stuller, 1999). After a series of geographical and topographic surveys, the US military started constructing a fortress and a lighthouse at Alcatraz in 1853 (Stuller, 1999). In 1840, with the onset of Gold Rush, people from all around the world started crowding the West Coast to try their luck at finding gold. Thus, it became evident to the United States government that it needs to seriously protect its land and mineral wealth from the coveting foreign powers and populations. It was with much hard work and toil that Alcatraz, garrisoned with impressive artillery and firepower, began to be recognized as an icon of the American military power (Stuller, 1999). Though, Alcatraz never saw real action throughout its existence as a military base, its stature as an intimidating army base continued to stay for many years (Stuller, 1999). With the coming into vogue of the modern weaponry, the military significance of Alcatraz gradually dwindled over time. Military Prison Later on the American military came to the conclusion that the island could serve as an excellent military prison, courtesy its disheartening isolation, and the unfriendly freezing waters surrounding the island, home to some of the most insurmountable water currents. In 1861, the army incarcerated several Civil War prisoners at Alcatraz (Wellman, 2008). The prisoner population at Alcatraz further augmented during the 1898 Spanish-American war (Wellman, 2008). The 1906 San Francisco earthquake further added to the Alcatraz prison population, as a large number of Civil War prisoners were transferred there for safe confinement (Wellman, 2008). The framework and structure of the Alcatraz prison was further expanded by the US military in 1912 (Wellman, 2008). This was not without a reason. By 1920, this prison was already running to its full capacity (Wellman, 2008). Again, it would not be an understatement to mention that Alcatraz being the US Army’s first long term prison, acquired the reputation of being a harsh and tough detention centre in a matter of days. The inmates at Alcatraz were managed under a very strict discipline and more than often they were subjected to a long and unnerving confinement. The prisoners at Alcatraz were classified as per their behavior and the nature of crime they had committed (McShane & Williams, 1996). Not to say, it was mostly the third class prisoners who had to bear the brunt of most of the disciplinary actions and regimens (McShane & Williams, 1996). It was seldom that the prisoners at Alcatraz dared to challenge the authorities, and when they did so, they had to face a strict disciplinary action. The incorrigible prisoners were made to wear heavy shackles and were mostly assigned tough and hard tasks. The Prisoners were allowed to go to their cells only at night and that too only to sleep. Nobody was allowed to stay in the prison cells during the day time. However, prisoners with good and reasonable conduct were rarely given a tough hand at Alcatraz and were mostly assigned to soft jobs such as serving as domestic help or as a gardener. In 1934, the military decided in the favor of relinquishing the Alcatraz prison, due to the rising overhead costs (Oliver, 1998). Federal Prison So in 1934, Alcatraz prison came under the ownership of the Department of Justice. In fact, this happened at just the right time. The Great Depression in the late 20s and early 30s had given way to a deluge of the organized crime in the American society (Oliver, 1998). The gangsters during this era were highly organized, motivated and well armed. With their muscle and money power, and the access to the right contacts, they not only managed to terrify the common people, but also were giving a tough time to the law and order machinery. The state was badly in the need of a prison facility that not only guaranteed the safe and sound custody of some of the most notorious gangsters and criminals, but also served as a potent icon of the state power and authority (Oliver, 1998). Alcatraz was a solution that emerged at just the right time. The decision was made and the federal government sought the help of some of the most experienced law and order officials and security experts to redesign and refurbish Alcatraz (McShane & Williams, 1996) . The objective was to make the prison escape proof on the inside and forbidden looking on the outside. Some of the toughest wardens were assigned the administration of the prison, and they were given a free hand to select the security personnel of their choice. In the early 30s, the most incorrigible and hardened criminals from all across the nation were sent to Alcatraz to serve their sentence. The utterly infamous prisoners that stayed at Alcatraz include the like of Alvin Karpis, Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” (McShane & Williams, 1996). Alcatraz and Tourism Alcatraz was thrown open to the public in 1972 (Stuller, 1999). Alcatraz Island with its spooky prison history draws roughly one million tourists every year (Stuller, 1999). Luckily most of the prisoners are granted a parole by the time they leave. Conclusion On the basis of the above discussion, it is evident that Alcatraz is an important socio-cultural landmark in the American history that not only is an enticing tourist destination, but rather says a lot about the history of America and the tough times it went through. References McShane, Marilyn & Williams, Frank P. (1996). Encyclopedia of American Prisons. New York: Garland. Oliver, Marilyn Tower. (1998). Alcatraz Prison in American History. New York: Enslow Publishers. Stuller, Jay. (1999). Alcatraz, the Prison. San Francisco: Golden Gate National Parks Association. Wellman, Gregory L. (2008). History of Alcatraz Island. New York: Arcadia Publishing. Read More