This article may contain affiliate links. For details, visit our Affiliate Disclosure page.
Introduction
Alcatraz Island, located in the San Francisco Bay, has been a part of American history since the 19th century. It has been home to some of the most notorious criminals in the United States, including Al Capone and George “”Machine Gun”” Kelly. Alcatraz was a federal prison from 1934 to 1963, and was considered to be the most secure prison in the United States. It was closed in 1963 due to its high operational costs and the deteriorating condition of the facility. But where did the prisoners go when Alcatraz closed? This article will explore the various options available to the prisoners when they were released from the prison.
The Federal Prison System
When Alcatraz closed, the prisoners were transferred to other federal prisons. The federal prison system was able to accommodate the influx of prisoners, as it had been expanding since the 1930s. The prisoners were sent to prisons around the country, including Leavenworth in Kansas and Atlanta in Georgia. The federal prison system is still in operation today, and many of the prisoners from Alcatraz are still serving their sentences in other federal prisons.
State Prisons
The prisoners who were released from Alcatraz were also sent to state prisons around the country. Many states had already established prison systems before Alcatraz closed, and were able to accommodate the influx of prisoners. The prisoners were sent to state prisons in California, Texas, Florida, and other states. These prisons were less secure than Alcatraz, but they were still able to keep the prisoners in check.
Rehabilitation Programs
Some of the prisoners who were released from Alcatraz were sent to rehabilitation programs. These programs were designed to help the prisoners reintegrate into society, and to help them find jobs and housing. The programs were funded by the federal government and were run by non-profit organizations. The prisoners were given counseling, job training, and other services to help them adjust to life outside of prison.
Parole
Some of the prisoners who were released from Alcatraz were given parole. Parole is a form of supervised release from prison, and the prisoners were monitored by parole officers. The parole officers monitored the prisoners’ behavior and ensured that they were following the terms of their parole. Parole was a way for the prisoners to gradually transition back into society, and many of the prisoners were able to find jobs and housing after they were released.
Death
Finally, some of the prisoners who were released from Alcatraz died soon after their release. The harsh conditions of Alcatraz had taken a toll on the prisoners’ health, and many of them had difficulty adjusting to life outside of prison. The mortality rate of the Alcatraz prisoners was higher than the national average, and many of them died within a few years of their release.
Conclusion
When Alcatraz closed in 1963, the prisoners were sent to various locations around the country. Some of them were sent to federal prisons, state prisons, and rehabilitation programs. Others were given parole or died shortly after their release. The prisoners of Alcatraz may have been some of the most notorious criminals in the United States, but they still had options when it came to their post-prison lives.
