Who Escaped from Alcatraz
In June 1962, inmates Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin attempted to escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. They were housed in the prison’s most secure wing and were considered among its most difficult inmates.
How the Escape Was Planned
The trio used stolen tools, papier-mâché dummy heads, and a raft made from raincoats to fake their presence in their cells and leave the island. They widened ventilation ducts and created makeshift life preservers to survive the cold water.
What Really Happened After They Left
Authorities found the raft and dummy heads but never recovered the escapees. The U.S. Marshals Service still lists them as fugitives. Official investigations concluded they likely drowned in the strong currents of San Francisco Bay, though some evidence suggests they may have survived and reached shore.
Why the 1962 Escape Remains Famous
The case became a symbol of Alcatraz’s reputation as an “escape-proof” prison. The 1979 film Escape from Alcatraz popularized the story worldwide. Official records and documents are maintained by the National Park Service and U.S. Marshals Service.
