In the annals of American history, few stories have captured the public imagination as powerfully as the 1962 escape from Alcatraz. Often described as one of the most daring prison breakouts ever attempted, the escape of Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin continues to inspire books, documentaries, and debate more than six decades later.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, located on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay, was designed to hold inmates considered the most difficult to manage. The prison’s reputation rested on its isolation, cold waters, and strong currents, which together were believed to make escape virtually impossible. Yet in June 1962, three men challenged that belief, leaving behind a mystery that still invites questions today.
This article offers a comprehensive and carefully detailed exploration of the Alcatraz escape. It examines the background of the prison, the lives of the men involved, the meticulous planning behind the breakout, the immediate investigation, and the many theories that have emerged over time. Through historical context and balanced analysis, the story of the Alcatraz escape reveals much about human ingenuity, determination, and the enduring power of unsolved questions.