Alcatraz, San Francisco, 2007 Part 2

On Part 1 of my Alcatraz trip blog, which you can read it here, we just landed on the island. And we are making our way to the prison block. This staircase and entrance leads to the Prisoner Processing area.

This is where newly arrived prisoners are stripped, bathed and issued prison uniforms.

This is the bathing area, in front of the uniform dispensing area. New arrivals are stripped, searched and bathed in front of prison guards. This is the only communal bathe area. The one that was featured in the movie 'The Rock' does not exist.

After the shower and issued uniform, the prisoners are escorted to the general population. I lifted this image of the layout of the 3 prison blocks in Alcatraz. The hallway between each blocks are named after famous streets.
 

In this picture, you see the handicapped person operating the clutch- levers that operate the prison doors.















This is the between Block A and Block B, Michigan Avenue.















The condition inside the cell. Take note of the toilet as there are different toilets in different blocks.















The view from one of the exits. Contrast the dark nature of the prison with the outside light. Take note of the water tower.














Each cell contained a sleeping bed, a sink, a toilet and a fold-able table and seat for writing. Two shelves are personal items are on the back wall..














New prisoners are issued the manual on the do's and don'ts in Alcatraz.

Another version of the cell. This is on D Block where the most difficult prisoners are held.The toilet is different and there is no writing desk. The prisoners held in this block could see the colors of the sunset stream in through the windows facing their cells and those on the top two tiers could even see San Francisco across the Bay. They'd see the city lights at night and could hear the sounds of music and voices on passing boats and ships. One might think the prisoners would have welcomed the reminders of freedom D block offered but in actuality the 'Sunset Strip' was considered a form of torture to see what they couldn't have. Prisoners here are allowed out one hour each week in the recreation yard and twice a week for quick showers.

Another view of the prison block. I was not aware at the time of this photo but Al Capone's cell is on the 2nd floor, 4th from the last. Used to be cell 181 but was repainted to cell 206. This was said to be the best area for prisoners as they get the afternoon sun and a regular breeze. Al has a view as well from his cell.

Next to the water tower is the Recreation Yard. (rawpixels.ca). This is also the scene where Ed Harris meets Sean Connery in the movie 'The Rock'.









Another view of the location.














This is the entrance to the Recreation yard.  As you enter here, there is a nice view of the San Francisco Bay area. This is the only location high enough for the prisoners to view it.














As you make your way down, the view is blocked by the high concrete wall. There used to be a baseball field at the end of the yard. (travelblog.org/Photos/2894395)














Another view of the yard, from the other corner. From here you can see the water tank. (rawpixels.ca/tag/decay)

The scene at night.(sanneart.com/2011/alcatraz-at-night)













This is the prison guard rest area, in the Administration Block.



From outside the Administration Block, is the lighthouse. I like the architecture of this structure.

The corner stone of the prison block, inscribed as 1909. The year that it was built.














The view from the Admin Building.

The main entry to the Admin Building office. The words 'Freedom' is vandalised on the state seal. This was done by the Native Americans when they seized Alcatraz and staged a sit-in.














Going back to the Prison Block, this is one of the exhibition that showed the Escape from Alcatraz. The dummy head that was used to fool the guards. You can see the hole in the wall which was dugged through.















Another view.














Next is the hospital

 

This is the room that was used in the movie 'The Rock' where Ed Harris and his Marines set up their command center. According to the guide, the ceiling has fake blood used from the movie.

The barracks, where the families of the prison guards used to stay.

As we board the boat and moved away from the island.

On our way to Pier 33. You can see the short buildings below are part of Pier 33.

As we docked into Pier 33, that ends my trip to Alcatraz.















It was truly a wonderful trip to a historical island. I definitely recommend a visit.

If you miss Part 1 of my Alcatraz trip, you can read here.

Alcatraz, San Francisco, 2007 Part 1

I have been to San Francisco twice so far. I cannot remember the date of the first trip but I wanted to visit Alcatraz. I went to Fisherman's Pier/Wharf to make enquiries. It seems that day trips are always sold out. If you want to go Alcatraz on that day, you would need to approach the touts around the booth and you would have to sign up a package with them, which includes a day trip of the city.

I did not want to do that as I have already explored the city. So I vowed to visit SF again so that I can go to Alcatraz.

That happened on 2007. This time I was prepared. I did not want to deal with touts. Before my trip, I booked myself on Alcatraz Cruises for the evening tour. I just need to turn up at Pier 33 on  May 5th 2007 and off we go.

I booked myself on the evening tour as according to the website the evening tour was the most complete.

Check out my Part 2 of my Alcatraz trip here.

This is a view from the boat, of the SFO-Oakland bridge. As you can see, it was a nice day.

A view of our departure point, Pier 33. On the background, on the left is the Transamerica Pyramid and on right, Coit Tower. 2 distinct feature of SF's skyline.















Another view from Pier 33.















And off we go.














A view of San Francisco as we pulled away from Pier 33.















Before we reach Alcatraz, it is better if I show you this map which I lifted from alcatrazalumni.org to get a better orientation of the island.














As we come around to from the East. The buildings on the left are the prison block and the lighthouse on the right. Next to the lighthouse was the Warden's House.














Another view of the prison blocks. The white specks you see on the cliffs are hundreds of seagulls.














On the other end of the island. There is the Water Tank. The wall below the water tank is the Recreation Yard. The building on the foreground is the New Industries Building.















Another view of the New Industries Building. This is where prisoners could have jobs while serving their sentences. It is called New because the old Model Industries Building was discontinued due to a breakout.














As we turned around the tip of the island, we can see the original Model Industries Building. The prison guards could not see what was happening on the ocean face of the building and that could be the reason there was a breakout .















As we moved around, we pass the Power House. This was built on 1909 and still standing. It was built on the 1857 North Battery foundation.

 The next building on the foreground is the Post Exchange/Officer's club. It was built in 1910 and 'destroyed by fire in June 1970.'














I managed to obtain these pictures from nps.gov to show how the original building look like.

Same building in 1915.

 

The next buildings are part of the original structure on Alcatraz. It consists of the guardhouse and a 'chapel' on top of it. There has not been any proof it was used as a chapel though. Below the guardhouse was the first prison originally used.

As we are near the docks, we passed the barracks/apartment buildings. This was originally used as the barracks for the soldiers on the island. Later it became the housing for prison staffs and their families. We have come full circle as you can see the lighthouse on the background and the warden's house on its left.












 

Coming towards the docks. The background shows the lighthouse and the warden's house.














There is a sign when you reach the docks. There is graffiti saying 'Indians Welcome'.

This was the original picture when Native Americans overtook the island on Nov 20th 1969 until June 11th 1971 to protest for their rights.

As we got off the boat, this is the view of San Francisco. Imagine, being sent to this island to spend time and the last image you see is this image of the city.  
















Remember, this is only Part 1 of my Alcatraz trip.
Do not forget to check out my Part 2 here.