alcatraz 1
Alcatraz is a small island in san francisco bay. One point five miles from san francisco.
From alcatraz, you can see the famous golden gate bridge.
Alcatraz is also famous. And it's now is a major tourist attraction.
Tourists can reach the island by boat from the city.
Alcatraz has often appeared in movies, including escape from Alcatraz, which is made in 1979.
One reason it's famous is because used to be a prison, a very special prison.
It was designed for prisoners who were causeing trouble in other prisons. such as trying to escape.
It was a maximum security prison. So escape was almost possible.
The water surrounded are cold and only very strong swimmers can swim from Alcatraz to san francisco.
The first group prisoners arrived in nineteen thirty four.
They were one hundred thirty seven prisoners, including bank robbers and murderers.
They came by train from another prison In the state of kansas.
During that trip, there was heavy security.
The prisoners were under guard and handcuffed.
alcatraz 2
The prison was designed to hold up to 336 prisoners.
However the average population was only about two hundred seventy.
