Once a Civil War prison, Alcatraz became the fortress of the 1930s, home to notorious criminals like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. With its isolated island location, harsh conditions, and revamped security—featuring iron bars, guard towers, and frequent prisoner checks—escape seemed impossible. Yet, between 1934 and 1963, 36 inmates attempted 14 escapes. Most were caught or didn’t survive, but the fate of three prisoners remains a mystery.
Click through the gallery to explore the daring escape of these three inmates and uncover the mystery behind their vanishing act.