The Incredible Alcatraz Prison Break
BuzzFeed Unsolved Network・21 minutes read
Three inmates planned a daring escape from Alcatraz Prison in 1960, using handmade tools and a raft made of raincoats, but whether they survived or perished during their journey remains a mystery with conflicting evidence and theories. Despite extensive searches, no concrete evidence of their fate on the mainland has been found.
Insights
- The escape from Alcatraz Prison, orchestrated by the Anglin Brothers, Frank Morris, and Allen West, involved a meticulously planned operation that included creating dummy heads to deceive guards and crafting a raft from raincoats to sail to freedom.
- Despite extensive searches and conflicting evidence, the fate of the three inmates who escaped from Alcatraz Island in 1962 remains a mystery, with theories suggesting they either survived the journey to the mainland or perished in the attempt due to the challenges posed by the frigid waters and strong currents of the Bay.
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Recent questions
How did inmates escape from Alcatraz?
Through a ventilator cover above Cell Block B, expanding holes in their cells, and using handmade tools to access a utility corridor.
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Summary
00:00
"Escape from Alcatraz: Ingenious Prison Break"
- Buzzfeed Unsolved covers the escape from Alcatraz Prison, executed by inmates with an ingenious plan.
- Alcatraz Island, a federal maximum security prison, was considered inescapable due to its location and harsh conditions.
- The escape crew consisted of the Anglin Brothers, Frank Morris, and Allen West, all serving time for bank robberies.
- West initiated the escape plan in 1960, focusing on a ventilator cover above Cell Block B.
- The crew strategically moved to cells near the unsecured vent cover, gaining access to the roof.
- Phase one involved deception, where the inmates created dummy heads to fool guards during the escape.
- Phase two, breakout, saw the men expanding holes in their cells using handmade tools to access a utility corridor.
- The escapees climbed to a hidden landing area above their cell block, where they prepared for the escape.
- They built life preservers and a raft from raincoats, vulcanizing them using steam pipes.
- The plan was to sail to Angel Island and then to the mainland, where they intended to steal a car and clothing before being discovered missing.
11:55
Alcatraz escapees' fate: mystery unsolved
- Three inmates escaped from Alcatraz Island, but their fate remains a mystery.
- Two theories exist: the escapees survived or perished in the journey to the mainland.
- The Bay's frigid waters and strong currents posed challenges for the escapees.
- A reenactment by Dutch scientists showed the difficulties of paddling a raft to safety.
- Personal items found in the water suggested the journey was ill-fated.
- Despite extensive searches, no evidence of the escapees reaching the mainland was found.
- The possibility of the escapees surviving was supported by the presence of a raft and life vests.
- A computer model suggested a narrow window for the escapees to launch their raft successfully.
- The fate of the escapees remains unknown, with conflicting evidence and theories.
