Alcatraz Prison's Haunted History and Lore

History Before the Hauntings

Many rumors, legends, and fantasies surround Alcatraz and the infamous prison escape attempts. Prisoners who attempted to escape often died in their attempts. Many believe their souls have not rested and are still haunting the historical prison.

The island was initially named La Isla de Los Alcatraces by Spanish explorers during their discovery of the island in 1775. The name means "the Island of the Pelican" but was later shortened to Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz is often called "The Rock." It lies in San Francisco Bay, at least a mile from San Francisco, California. It was most famously used as a prison for 30 years from 1934 to 1963, although that was one of its later uses.

One of the earliest uses for the island was home to the very first operating lighthouse on the Pacific Ocean. Around the same time, it became a military base in 1847. It was the perfect place for the military base because it had a great view of San Francisco. At the time, they needed to protect San Francisco due to the Gold Rush. Unfortunately, this wasn't as practical of a home base as they initially thought since it took time and money. Part of the substantial cost was because anything used on the island needed to be transported a mile and a half across the San Francisco Bay.

Treatment of Prisoners at Alcatraz

Shortly afterward, they turned the island into a military prison during the Civil War. Although after the Civil War, the island became quiet for over 30 years before it became the most tightly kept prison we know. Those imprisoned in Alcatraz were the worst of the worst: murderers, rapists, and thieves. It was 1898 when the prison began, although, at this time, it was still just a Civil War prison. In 1934, the infamous Alcatraz prison opened its doors to civilian inmates. There had only been 26 inmates before this, but the number of inmates grew to 450 that year. It quickly became notorious as the harshest prison ever known on American soil.

They only received the bare necessities: food, water, a roof over their head, a shower, and a doctor. Often, the notorious punishment of being tied to a large iron ball on the end of a chain was one of the penalties used on these prisoners. Although not all prisoners were treated this harshly, those in charge wanted it to be a place people feared, so they added special reinforcements to help with its security. For instance, they added four new guard towers and a gun gallery and replaced the bars with cut-resistant metal, among other things. Of course, Alcatraz was an island that limited prisoners' opportunities to escape.

The truth is, much of this was for show. Although some prisoners were treated poorly, some more reliable prisoners were given jobs. Some did housework for families living on the island and were even caretakers for the youngsters there.

1963, it closed due to the ever-increasing cost of keeping it running, having been open for 30 years. The island was abandoned until 1972 when Congress decided to preserve Alcatraz as one of the greatest National Historic Landmarks of America within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Congress felt this place held a vibrant history that all should remember. Today, if you want to see the island, you can get a ferry off of Pier 33, which is near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.

Native American Beliefs Surrounding the Island

Before even the most hardened criminals had landed there, Native Americans had found the island. They instantly felt terrible spirits there; therefore, they brought some of their people to the island as punishment. If their crimes were awful, they would leave them on Alcatraz permanently. They believed that if left on the island, they would die there, and evil spirits would torture them for eternity. It is interesting even before it became one of the toughest prisons; Native Americans used the island for punishment.

Fast forward a couple of hundred years to when the prison closed down. Alcatraz became a famous landmark with rumors of evil spirits dwelling there. There are countless stories where people tell how they can feel, hear, and sometimes even see ghosts, evil spirits, and other anomalies. Many believe these spirits are dead prisoners from less than a century ago, but what if the Native Americans were right? These evil spirits could have been there for centuries.

An Inmate Tortured By an Evil Spirit

One story is about a man who may have encountered one of the evil spirits the Native Americans supposedly felt. An inmate was locked in solitary confinement, where people only received bread, water, a hole to go to the bathroom, and a mattress only at night. This man was locked in when he suddenly began screaming and groaning, claiming to see glowing eyes. He would cry out about how this creature was torturing him. The guards, assuming the inmate just wanted attention, ignored him throughout the night, but suddenly his cell went quiet. When the guards checked on him in the morning, they found the man strangled with hand marks around his neck. According to his autopsy, there was no possible way that he did it to himself. Some believe the guards on duty did it, but others think the strange creature the man had claimed to see was to blame. They now refer to that peculiar creature as "the thing."

Photo of Jail Cell with Cut Resistant Metal in Alcatraz

The Old Lighthouse

Another mysterious story, which is less scary but still very intriguing, is regarding the old lighthouse. The original lighthouse was torn down when Alcatraz Island became home to the prison. Yet some people believe that the old lighthouse that had once stood on Alcatraz Island reappears and lights the dark sky on foggy nights.

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Haunting of Al Capone

Most people believe Alcatraz is haunted by some of the ex-prisoners who died there, turning on the old lighthouse. One of the most famous ghosts is that of Al Capone. They claim to see white orbs around his former jail cell and hear banjo music, which he played before he died. However, the question arises: why would Capone haunt Alcatraz when he died in his house many miles away? Neurosyphilis took over his mind after he left the prison, and some feel maybe when he left, he left his soul behind.

Abie Maldowitz Hauntings - "Butcher"

Probably one of the more peculiar supposed hauntings is that of Abie Maldowitz. He was imprisoned as a hitman and otherwise was not well known. Alcatraz attracts many psychics; therefore, it is no wonder psychic Sylvia Brown went there. One day, when she was doing a reading, she came across a cell and claimed to feel a presence. She could only identify the presence by the name of Butcher with no exact information on him. So when old guards did research, they discovered a man had murdered someone by the name of Abie Maldowitz there. His nickname was "Butcher."

No one will honestly know whether or not they or any other ghosts haunt the island. Regardless of your beliefs in ghosts or evil spirits, it cannot be denied that Alcatraz Island has a rich history with demons of its own.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2011 Angela Michelle Schultz

Comments

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on March 20, 2013:

Very interesting. I am a believer in ghosts so it seems to me that it is quite possible that haunting occurred. Al Capone added into the mix really adds to the mystery.

Enjoyed reading this from beginning to end. Angels are on the way to you this evening. :) ps

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on May 02, 2012:

Thank you very much. I must have written a typo, because I had it correct in the other areas. Thank you for catching that for me. I really appreciate it.

shell on May 02, 2012:

your date for alcatraz closing is wrong. you put 1934 not 1963 just thought you should know.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on February 19, 2012:

Do you feel you are incarnate of one of the prisoners? LOL

Christina on February 02, 2012:

I feel as as I lived there before. I know a particular cell in much detail.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on April 20, 2011:

Your welcome!!! Thanks for stopping by!

Sun Pen 50 from Srilanka on April 14, 2011:

Interesting. Thank you for a great hub.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on April 11, 2011:

Thanks mquee

mquee from Columbia, SC on April 06, 2011:

Very good with a lot of detailed information that is not commonly known. A good and interesting learning experience.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on March 01, 2011:

Why thank you! I am glad I could teach you something!!!

Smokes Angel from Broke Alabama on March 01, 2011: