How 3 Men Escaped Alcatraz

Alcatraz, the infamous maximum-security prison located on a remote island in San Francisco Bay, was designed to be inescapable. Yet, on the night of June 11, 1962, three inmates - Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin - challenged this claim, orchestrating one of the most daring and mysterious jailbreaks in history. Over 60 years later, the fate of these escapees remains a matter of speculation and intrigue.

The Notorious Alcatraz

Alcatraz, known as “The Rock,” had been a fortress for prisoners since the Civil War, but it gained notoriety in 1934 when it was transformed into a maximum-security prison for the most dangerous criminals, including infamous gangsters like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Surrounded by the icy, turbulent waters of the Pacific and fortified with thick iron bars and multiple guard towers, Alcatraz was considered escape-proof. From 1934 until its closure in 1963, 36 men attempted 14 escapes; most were either caught or didn’t survive. However, the 1962 escape remains a notable exception.

The Plan and the Plotters

Mugshot of Frank Morris, Alcatraz escapee. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Federal Government. Public domain.

Frank Morris, a bank robber with a high IQ, was sent to Alcatraz in January 1960. He quickly connected with brothers John and Clarence Anglin, fellow inmates with whom he had served time before. Alongside a fourth conspirator, Allen West, they began crafting an elaborate escape plan in December 1961. Using old saw blades, spoons, and a homemade drill powered by a stolen vacuum cleaner motor, the group meticulously chipped away at the ventilation grilles in the back of their cells.

Mugshot of John Anglin, Alcatraz escapee. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Federal Government. Public domain.

Once they had widened the openings enough to crawl through, they covered the holes with fake grilles made of papier-mâché. Behind the cells lay an unguarded utility corridor, where they set up a secret workshop to build life preservers and an inflatable raft out of over 50 stolen raincoats, using steam pipes to vulcanize the seams. The men also constructed wooden paddles and created tools to inflate the raft from a modified musical instrument.

Photo of Clarence Anglin, Alcatraz escapee. Author unknown. Public domain.

The Great Escape

On the night of June 11, 1962, Morris and the Anglin brothers crawled through the holes in their cells, climbed up plumbing pipes to the roof, and slipped down 50 feet to the ground using a large exterior pipe. After cutting through the barbed wire fence, they made their way to the northeast shore of Alcatraz Island and launched their homemade raft into the dark, frigid waters of San Francisco Bay.

Escapee’s prison cell with a chiseled vent opening beneath the sink, leading to a utility corridor. Photo by Benlechlitner. Public domain.

Allen West, who had helped plan the escape, was left behind when he failed to remove his cell’s grille in time. He later cooperated with investigators, revealing many details of the escape plan. However, the fate of Morris and the Anglin brothers remains a mystery. Did they make it across the bay to freedom, or did they perish in the icy waters?

The Aftermath

A thorough investigation was launched immediately after the discovery of the escape. Authorities found clues that suggested the men had made it at least part of the way across the bay: a makeshift paddle and bits of their life raft were recovered near Angel Island, over a mile from Alcatraz. But no confirmed sightings of the escapees ever surfaced. Despite extensive searches, no bodies were found, leaving open the possibility that they had made it to the mainland.

The FBI closed its investigation in 1979, concluding that the men likely drowned in the bay. However, theories and supposed sightings persisted. Some believe the men may have successfully crossed to the Marin County mainland, stolen clothes, and vanished. Others speculate they drowned; their bodies swept away by strong currents.

A Mystery That Endures

Over six decades later, the escape from Alcatraz continues to captivate the imagination. The U.S. Marshals Service still lists Morris and the Anglin brothers as wanted fugitives, maintaining an open case should new evidence ever come to light. The enduring mystery has been fueled by pop culture, including the 1979 film “Escape from Alcatraz,” and countless investigations and theories.

Whether they drowned or escaped to live out their lives in secret, the fate of the three men remains one of America’s greatest unsolved mysteries, proving that even a place as secure as Alcatraz could not fully contain the human spirit’s desire for freedom.

References: Alcatraz Escape | Alcatraz escape of June 1962