Before Alcatraz became a federal prison, there was a US Army base, forts, and, from the 1860s, a prison for soldiers and traitors of the nation.
During the 29 years of operation of the federal penitentiary, there was not a single successful escape, although some convicts made such attempts. A total of 34 prisoners tried to get off the island, two of whom succeeded, although they were later captured by the police. Al Capone was imprisoned in Alcatraz prison as prisoner 85 and spent 4.5 years there. Due to the convict's exemplary behavior, he received permission to play the banjo and joined the prison band of convicts who performed on the premises of the facility many times. Al. Capone left Alcatraz on January 6, 1939.
