The Dark Secrets of Alcatraz
Alcatraz Island—or simply “Alcatraz”—was once home to the infamous United Stated Penitentiary that housed some of the nation’s most dangerous criminals, including Al Capone and Robert Stroud.
And although it gained a reputation as the toughest prison in the US due to brutally inhumane conditions—that wasn’t the reason the prison was ultimately shut down.
From its shady history and controversial conditions to its famous inmates and their harrowing efforts to escape, let’s dive into Alcatraz’s darkest secrets.
The Location
Alcatraz Island is a small island located 1.25 miles (2.01 km) off the coast of San Francisco, California. It’s made up of about 22 acres of mostly rock, with very little vegetation.
Dietmar Rabich , CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Nickname
In fact, a surveyor didn’t believe the land was even suitable to build on in the first place. Because of its treacherous terrain, Alcatraz Island earned the nickname, “The Rock.”
However, the translation of “Alcatraz” is something far different.
Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Discovery
The island of Alcatraz was first discovered by Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775. Upon his arrival, he named the giant rock, “La Isla de los Alcatraces”—which translates to Island of the Pelicans. Over time, it was Anglicized to Alcatraz.
That’s not the only thing that changed over time, though.
Land Ownership
Before Alcatraz Island belonged to the US, it was actually part of Mexico. Prior to the US-Mexican war in 1846–1848, San Francisco and its many islands were part of Mexico. It was only following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, where the two countries redrew their borders, that Alcatraz became a part of the modern United States of America.
The Original Purpose
Around the same time, the California Gold Rush was underway and the government decided to use the island to build a fortress for defense—thus, creating Fort Alcatraz.
It took about nine years to complete, and by 1859, the base was fully equipped with some pretty serious firepower, ultimately making any attack on San Francisco pointless.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
The Original Inmates
During this time, the fort was also used to house military prisoners. One particular group of inmates were referred to as “The Hopi Hostiles.” The group of 19 Indigenous men were sent to Alcatraz after opposing the government’s forced education in boarding schools—which included policies that tried to eliminate their language and religion.
The government thought the men could use some hard labor confinement, in hopes it would eventually force them to submit.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
The Hopi Hostiles
The Hopi Hostiles were held for eight months in the military prison, and they resisted all forced government efforts the entire time—and even after they were released.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
New Developments
Once the need for defense subsided, the fortress was mostly torn down, leaving only the foundation. And then for two years, between 1909 and 1911, military prisoners were forced to build their new home—the United States Disciplinary Barracks.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
New Inmates
During WWI, Alcatraz started housing men who refused their mandatory conscription call. It also imprisoned Confederate sympathizers and privateers, and various other prisoners of war.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
A Change in Management
By 1933, The United States Department of Justice acquired the Disciplinary Barracks. The buildings were quickly modernized with updated security measures, and then the island officially became a maximum-security federal prison—but not just any federal prison.
The Intended Purpose
Alcatraz was intended for prisoners who continuously caused trouble at other federal prisons. For most, it was assumed that once they would shape up, they’d be sent back to the federal prison they came from. But it ended up becoming a “last-resort” for the worst criminals who had no hope of rehabilitation.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Sentencing at Alcatraz
Because of this, inmates at Alcatraz were not given sentences (or planned releases). Their length of stay was determined by their behavior. Upon arrival, inmates were given a number that coincided with the order in which they arrived.
For example, Al Capone, who arrived shortly after it opened in 1934, was known as prisoner 85, while Robert Stroud, who arrived in 1942, was known as prisoner 594.
While Alcatraz was known to take those who were unwanted, there was one particular group that were not allowed in the facilities at all.
The Restrictions
The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was strictly for men. Not only were there never any female prisoners, but there were never any female guards, administrators, or any other women employed within the facilities.
Many of the inmates went as long as 20 years without hearing a female voice—and that’s not all they went without.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Visitations
Prisoners at Alcatraz were given monthly visitations, if approved by the warden. But these visitations had very strict rules. Not only was physical contact forbidden, so were certain topics of conversation.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Monitoring the Visits
Visitations were closely monitored. Topics of conversation like current events or prison life were strictly prohibited. If these rules were broken, visitations were taken away immediately, and sometimes indefinitely.
That wasn’t the only way the warden kept a tight ship, either.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
The Conditions
Many former prisoners reported Alcatraz conditions to be “brutally inhumane” which severely tested their sanity. In fact, many inmates resorted to desperate attempts at ending their lives—and some causing serious harm to themselves after losing their minds.
The Case of Rufe Persful
One particular inmate named Rufe Persful—who was known as one of the most dangerous criminals of his era—lost his marbles and chopped off his fingers with an axe he got a hold of from a firetruck. He then begged another inmate to do the same thing to his other hand.
Later, he attacked an inmate using eyeglasses. He eventually lost his life in an attempted escape gone wrong.
US Government, Wikimedia Commons
The Case of Ed Wutke
Ed Wutke was a sailor who got locked up for slaying at sea. He was serving a 27-year sentence when he became the first inmate at Alcatraz to take his own life, using a blade from a pencil sharpener.
Some inmates went crazy and took the lives of other inmates, and even some guards. Perhaps their fury was fueled by claustrophobia, given the tight conditions of their quarters.
National Archives and Records Administration, Wikimedia Commons
The Cells
The basic prison cells were tiny—measuring only 9ft by 5ft. They were primitive and lacked privacy, but did include furnishings like a cot, a desk, a wash basin, and a toilet. However, fitting all of that into a closet-sized space left little to no room for the person who had to occupy it.
Ronnie Macdonald, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Division of Inmates
Alcatraz Penitentiary was a three-story cellhouse that included four main cell blocks, A-block through D-block—with D-block housing the worst criminals. There were six cells located at the end of D-block that were referred to as “The Hole,” where problem inmates were sent for long periods of brutal punishments that often included severe beatings and starvation.
D-Block
D-block became known as “Treatment block” for some of the worst inmates who were subjected to varying degrees of punishment, including isolation, solitary, and strip. Inmates would typically spend between 3 to 19 days in solitary, where they had to eat their meals in the cells, were not allowed to work and could only shower twice a week.
That sounds bad, but it got worse.
Tightening the Rules
After an attempted escape in which inmate Arthur “Doc” Barker lost his life, security in D-block was tightened and some inmates then spent years in solitary confinement. This is also when “The Hole” was first introduced.
National Archives and Records Administration, Wikimedia Commons
The Hole
A total of five cells made up “The Hole.” Inmates who were held there were only allowed one 10-minute shower and an hour of exercise in the yard each week. The cells had nothing but a sink and a toilet. The walls were painted black and there were no windows or openings in the door.
At the end of these five cells was something even worse.
Kingofthedead, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Strip
The worst cell was the final cell, nicknamed “The Oriental” or “Strip Cell.” It had nothing but a hole in the floor to be used as a toilet, and prisoners were confined unclothed with nothing else for two full days (though former inmates claimed they spent weeks in “the Strip”).
The Conditions of The Strip
The smell of these cells was said to be similar to that of an underground sewage system. Meals consisted of only a slice of bread. The walls and floors were constantly damp and cold, and inmates almost always ended up sick.
After returning from “The Hole,” an inmate would then be tagged—which would ensure he was not allowed to leave his cell for three additional months.
But the building included a lot more than just prison cells.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
The Building
The building also included the warden’s office, a visitation room, a library, and a barber shop. A dining hall and kitchen were extended from the main building, with a small hospital located above the dining hall. Prisoners and guards ate three meals a day together—which were actually fairly decent.
Carl Sundstrom, Wikimedia Commons
The Food
A typical breakfast menu at Alcatraz included assorted dry cereals, steamed whole wheat, a scrambled egg, milk, stewed fruit, toast, bread, and butter. While some of the prison’s conditions were starkly inhumane, other aspects were said to be better than other federal prisons.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
The Dinner Deal
When it came to dinners, inmates were allowed to eat as much as they wanted within 20 minutes—as long as there was no waste. Leftover food was reported as waste, and an inmate would lose privileges if they made a habit of it.
This “deal” made with inmates did not exist at other federal prisons.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Naming Inspiration
The building’s corridors were named after major US cities and streets, like Broadway, Michigan Avenue, and Times Square. And while this may have been a small attempt at bringing outside life inside the prison walls, there was actually something much bigger going on outside.
Island Residents
While Alcatraz may have been home to some of America’s most dangerous men, it was also where the wives and children of the prisons guards lived, too.
At one point, the island housed 300 civilians, with about 50 families living there at any one time during its 29 years as a federal prison—and they did their best to make it as “normal” as possible for them.
The U.S. National Archives, Picryl
Island Amenities
The families were provided with housing, as well as a bowling alley, a pre-school, a soda shop, a post office, and a commissary for basic food items. Older kids were sent to school on the mainland, and had to wear dog tags to prove their residence on the island.
Emily Mathews ,CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Outsourcing
Because of its remote location, nearly all supplies had to be outsourced—including fresh drinking water. Nearly one million gallons of water were brought to the island each week, along with food, fuel, medical supplies, and whatever else was needed.
The Security
In terms of security, aside from its treacherous surroundings, the building was equipped with metal detectors, state-of-the-art locking devices for cell doors, and new radio equipment. Plus, the grounds were still fully stocked with more than enough firearms for officers to help themselves to, if needed.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
America’s Most Secure Prison
In fact, the security of Alcatraz was so good that many referred to it as “America’s Most Secure Prison.”
Prison operators believed it to be escape-proof. And, considering the high-security and the remote location surrounded by frigid waters and strong currents, it made sense to believe that an escape would be virtually impossible—and believe it or not, it was.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Escape-Proof
Alcatraz was home to various prisoners for over 100 years, and yet no one had ever successfully escaped—at least not on record.
Perhaps the perceived fear of massive, man-eating sharks lurking the waters was enough to scare them into submission—which as we'll see, was only one way that guards tricked inmates.
wolfgang.mller54, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Escape Attempts
In the 29 years as an official federal prison, there were 14 separate escape attempts involving 36 inmates (some tried more than once). Of those, 23 of them were recaptured, 7 were fatally shot, and 3 of them succumbed to dangerous water. The remaining 5 were listed as missing and assumed to have also been lost at sea.
But there was one attempt that almost made it.
Stephen Edmonds, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The First Escape
In 1945, a clever inmate named John Giles did actually make it out of the prison by taking an army uniform from the laundry room and casually joining an army truck. At first, he went unnoticed, and his plan was seemingly going to work—until the truck arrived at its destination.
Fiche pénitencier Alcatraz, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Wrong Way
Giles’ plan may have worked had the truck been headed for the city. Unfortunately for him, the truck was on its way to Angel Island, and as soon as he got off the truck his identity was discovered and he was sent back to Alcatraz.
But not all escape attempts made it outside the walls.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
The Battle of Alcatraz
The following year, in May 1946, a group of inmates hatched a plan to get the key into the recreation yard, take out the tower guards, and take captives to use as shields until they reached the dock.
This incident was said to be the most violent escape attempt, and was named “The Battle of Alcatraz”—sometimes also referred to as the “Alcatraz Blast Out.”
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
The Masterminds
Six prisoners, Bernard Coy, Joseph Cretzer, Sam Shockley, Clarence Carnes, Marvin Hubbard and Miran Thompson took control of the cell house by overpowering correctional officers, and were able to enter the weapons room, where they then demanded keys to the outside recreation door.
A Snag in the Plan
Their plan would have worked perfectly, had it not been for one quick-thinking guard who quickly and secretly pocketed the key to the outer door. The inmates took the key ring and continued on with their mission, not knowing they weren’t going to get very far.
A Change in Plans
Their plan was to escape by boat from the dock, but when they got stuck at that last door, their plan immediately changed. And rather than give up and surrender—they decided to battle it out.
Arnold W. Peters, Wikimedia Commons
The Battle
The group took two guards captive—which included the one who safeguarded the final key. A bullet-infused battle began, and sadly, both guards lost their lives.
Not long into the battle, three of the six inmates (Shockley, Thompson, and Carnes) chose to retreat back to their cells, while three others (Coy, Cretzer and Hubbard) continued to fight.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
The Result
In the end, the US Marines intervened and the remaining three inmates were fatally taken down. In total, 2 guards lost their lives and 17 others were injured.
Shockley, Thompson, and Carnes were tried in the deaths of the guards, with Shockley and Thompson sentenced to death by the gas chamber. Carnes—who was only 19 years old at the time—was given a second life sentence.
Famous Escape Attempts
While the Battle of Alcatraz was surely one for the books, it was not the most famous attempt.
The next escape attempt happened in June of 1962—and this time, the inmates spent a great deal of time carefully planning.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
The Great Escape
Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin learned of a 3-foot-wide unguarded utility corridor behind their cells in Cell Block B. They created tools using a metal spoon soldered with silver from a dime and an electric drill improvised from a vacuum cleaner motor, and chiseled away at the salt-damaged concrete from around an air vent that led to this corridor.
Christian Bradford, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fake Walls and Dummies
They purposely waited for the right opportunities to dig, such as during music hour when accordions would hide the noise. They also hid their progress behind fake walls in the back of their dark cells, which actually worked to fool guards.
Once they dug through, they left papier-mâché dummies in their beds, made with human hair that they took from the barbershop.
But that’s not the only thing they made.
Supercarwaar, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Raft
Over several weeks of planning, the inmates also made an inflatable raft from over 50 raincoats they slowly took over time without anyone noticing. They prepared it on top of the cell block and hid it from guards using nothing more than sheets.
Once they had everything in place, they made their escape through the vent in the roof. And believe it or not, they actually made it to the water.
The Water
The three men are believed to have succumbed to the treacherous waters—but that’s right, they were never caught, nor were they ever found. With extensive searches and barricades in place, the men, nor their raft, were ever seen again.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
The Unsolved Mystery
The US Marshals Service case file remains open and active to this day. Morris and the Anglin brothers are still on its wanted list. Their escape is known as the “The Great Escape” of Alcatraz.
But that’s not what the reports say.
Circumstantial Evidence
Later, in the early 2010s, circumstantial evidence surfaced that suggested the men had survived. However, this would tarnish the prison’s reputation as being “escape-proof,” so the file continues to be investigated.
HarshLight, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Reputation
Alcatraz’s reputation was essential in controlling the inmates who resided there. And so, from very early on it was known to be the “toughest prison” in the US, and considered to be the world’s most fearsome prison of the day.
This reputation was upheld by some of its more infamous prisoners, who are known as America’s most dangerous felons.
Tobias Kleinlercher, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Robert Stroud
Robert Stroud, known as “the Birdman of Alcatraz,” joined the others in 1942. He entered the prison system at the young age of 19, and unfortunately, he never left. In fact, he spent 42 of his 54 years behind bars (not always in Alcatraz) in solitary confinement.
Stroud was originally apprehended for slaying several people, and then he continued his life of crime in lock up, where he took the life of a guard, and got tangled up with many other inmates. He has been cited as one of the most notorious criminals of the United States.
Henri Young
Henri Young was a convicted bank robber and serial slayer. He was also one of the many inmates who tried to escape Alcatraz in 1939. During his escape attempt with four other inmates, two of them were fatally shot and the survivors (Young and Rufus McCain) were recaptured.
They were both sent to solitary confinement for three years. When they finally reentered general population in 1942, Young took McCains life as retribution for his time in solitary.
JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Arthur Raymond “Doc” Barker
Arthur Raymond “Doc” Barker was sent to Alcatraz in 1935 on conspiracy to kidnap charges. Barker was part of the group with Henri Young who attempted to escape, but unfortunately, he was fatally shot by guards in the process.
Carl Sundstrom, Wikimedia Commons
Al Capone
American gangster, Al Capone—sometimes known as “Scarface”—arrived at Alcatraz a year prior, in 1934. He was well known when he arrived, and it was immediately made known that he would not receive any preferential treatment.
Capone was a master manipulator who successfully continued to run his crime business from behind bars when he was at Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, by paying off guards.
He only served four years at Alcatraz before he fell ill and was transferred elsewhere.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Picryl
Mickey Cohen
Mickey Cohen was another infamous American gangster who ended up at Alcatraz for tax evasion (though he had a long list of other crimes under his belt, too). Cohen became the only prisoner who was ever bailed out of Alcatraz.
United States Department of Justice, Wikimedia Commons
Creepy Karpis
Alvin Francis Karpavicz—also known as “Creepy Karpis,” was known for his sinister smile. He also went by “Ray” to his group members, and was considered “Public Enemy #1” by the FBI.
Karpis spent 26 years at Alcatraz—the longest of any prisoner there—for a multitude of slayings, abductions, and bank robberies.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Machine Gun Kelly
American gangster Machine Gun Kelly, formally known as George Kelly Barnes, arrived at Alcatraz in 1934. His nickname came from his favorite firearm. He is best known for the snatching of oil tycoon and businessman Charles F Urschel in 1933, where he and his group collected a $200,000 ransom (equivalent to $4.7 million today).
United States Department of Justice, Wikimedia Commons
Machine Gun Kelly
In lock up, Kelly boasted about several robberies that he never actually committed, and the warden considered him a stand-up inmate. He was released back to Leavenworth Penitentiary in 1951—which was unusual for any inmate at Alcatraz.
While there are dozens of other infamous criminals who graced the halls of Alcatraz, what these ruthless crooks did while in lock up is another story to tell.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Fun and Games
Alcatraz may have been known to house the worst of the worst, but their life wasn’t all black holes and beatings. There was actually some fun, too—like softball games, for example.
jakob.liew, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Softball Team
The inmates at Alcatraz were given yard time, and some of that included organized sports. However, the guards were in charge of organization, and as usual, they had ulterior motives.
Ronnie Macdonald, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Racial Segregation
The softball teams were racially integrated, which often led to tensions among the participants. At one particular game in 1956, some of the inmates brought makeshift shivs and took their frustrations out on each other. Before long, the yard was a blood bath.
That wasn’t the only way inmates spent their time, though.
The Rock Islanders
Alcatraz allowed inmates few privileges—one of which included musical talent. Inmates were allowed to make and play music. Some of them, including Al Capone, formed a jailhouse band called the Rock Islanders.
Apparently, Al Capone was able to play 500 songs, and even wrote one called “Madonna Mia.”
However, their time at Alcatraz was not all play.
Arnold W. Peters, Wikimedia Commons
Employment
As similar to other lockups, inmates at Alcatraz were allowed to work. It was a privilege that was earned by good behavior. Aside from the usual jobs, like laundry, janitorial work, sewing, and woodwork—there was another job some might consider particularly disturbing.
Carl Sundstrom, Wikimedia Commons
Babysitting
Prior to 1933, when Alcatraz was more of a minimum-security military prison, some inmates were employed as babysitters for the children of the guards. These guys were called “pass men,” and they also performed cooking and cleaning duties for families.
Gianluca Cogoli, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mason’s Job
One inmate, known only as Mason, regularly babysat a three-year-old boy. In fact, the jailbird actually accompanied the boy all over the island, as the young boy checked out the foghorns and watched for passing ferries.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
One Big Happy Family
Around the same time, inmates and resident families often did things together. When the inmates were awarded special treatments, like movie night, the families on the island joined them. This sometimes happened twice a week, with children perched at the inmates’ feet for the show.
Shawnobusa, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
More Changes
It was quite an interesting circle of trust. But this strange integration quickly subsided after the building became a maximum-security facility. And after 29 years with America’s Most Wanted, things changed once again.
Pfnatic, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Shutdown
With an intriguing timeline involving babysitter inmates to notorious serial slayers, it’s often wondered why Alcatraz didn’t last. And although many believe the “The Great Escape” attempt in 1962 was the core reason, it was actually something a less dramatic.
Tobias Kleinlercher, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Structural Problems
From the very beginning, engineers and construction crews warned of the challenging location. The rocky land and the surrounding ocean waters posed numerous risks—including deterioration from salt water.
Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Rapid Deterioration
Over the course of its relatively short lifespan, the building deteriorated and crumbled. The plumbing, which was flushed with saltwater, also broke down and gave off a strong stench. The building became heavily rusted, which posed a problem when it came to the integrity of the security systems.
In fact, in 1935, shortly after it opened as a maximum-security prison, the building shifted to within 2.5 feet of the edge of a cliff after a severe storm caused a landslide.
It only got worse from there.
Superchilum, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Too Expensive
Eventually, the government deemed the prison too expensive to keep. With a deteriorating building, along with the constant need to have supplies shipped to the island, the cost was too much.
The prison was shut down, the inmates were sent elsewhere, and today Alcatraz stands as a museum. And while there are still residents living on the island—they’re not who you may think.
Steven Lek, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Bird Invasion
Without human inhabitants, Alcatraz Island has become home to over 5,000 birds from nine different species—something the Birdman may be pleased to learn.
However, some say the birds are not the only island inhabitants.
Dietmar Rabich, CC-BY-SA-4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Hauntings at Alcatraz
Since its closure, Alcatraz has become a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors claiming the building is haunted.
In recent years, a park ranger—who was not familiar with the prison’s history—claimed to hear banjo music coming from the showers. Believe it or not, during Al Capone’s stay, he feared for his safety in the yard so guards allowed him to spend his recreational time practicing his banjo in the shower room.
That’s not the only report of paranormal activity.
Mack Male, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Mysterious Death
Sometime in the 1940s, an inmate who was locked in his cell screamed all night that something with glowing eyes was trying to end him. Guards chalked it up to insanity and ignored his pleas for help.
The next morning, the inmate was found dead, after he had apparently been strangled in his cell during the night. The cause was never determined as no one had access to the cell during the time of his tragic passing.
Later, guards reported seeing his ghost in line with other inmates during head counts.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Tales of the Underworld
Today, guided tours play up the spooky nature of Alcatraz by telling various other ghost stories and creepy tales—however in 2019, one legendary myth became fact when archaeologists made a chilling discovery underground.
Addictivephotographer, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Underground Tunnels
In 2019, archaeologists used laser scans of the island to locate secret tunnels that were one said to be built underground back in the 1860s during the US Civil War.
These tunnels were apparently closed and sealed with concrete to avoid hiding and inmate escapes.
TheeCakee, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Infamous Alcatraz Prison
For many years, the tunnels were considered a myth. Many believed they were nothing more than a strange story told to strengthen the belief that the place was haunted.
Today, the tunnels are exactly that—the origin of intense ghost stories of the infamous Alcatraz prison. And more than one million people visit each year, hoping to catch a glimpse of paranormal activity while they’re there.
Robert Couse-Baker, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Strategy For Submission
Alcatraz was one of the only federal prisons to offer their inmates hot showers—for one disturbing reason.
Prison operators believed that if the inmates were accustomed to hot water, they’d be unable to handle the frigid waters they’d need to endure to escape.
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