Home / Crime and Justice / Alcatraz Escape: Prison Flaw Aided Notorious Break
Alcatraz Escape: Prison Flaw Aided Notorious Break
25 Dec
Summary
- Inmates dug through walls due to improperly poured concrete.
- Papier-mâché heads fooled guards, granting an eight-hour head start.
- Escapees vanished into San Francisco Bay's cold, strong currents.
In June 1962, a daring escape from Alcatraz saw three inmates vanish into the San Francisco Bay, a feat now attributed partly to a construction oversight. John and Clarence Anglin, along with Frank Morris, exploited a flaw in the prison's concrete walls, which were not properly vibrated during construction, making them easier to dig through.
Months of meticulous tunneling with spoons, combined with realistic papier-mâché dummy heads placed in their bunks, allowed the escapees a crucial eight-hour head start. This ruse tricked guards during routine checks, masking their departure through utility corridors and over fences.
The inmates launched their escape into the cold, 40-degree waters of the bay using a raft fashioned from raincoats. While life vests and a paddle were later found, their ultimate survival remains unconfirmed, with most evidence pointing towards a tragic end in the treacherous currents.
