Alcatraz Prison, situated just off the coast of San Francisco, California, is renowned as one of the world’s most perilous penitentiaries. This isolated island is surrounded by shark-infested waters, making it an ideal place to house the planet’s most dangerous criminals. Records indicate that at least 36 inmates perished in escape attempts.
Until June 1962, no prisoner had managed to elude the guards and treacherous seas. However, the intricate details of this escape remained a mystery until January 2018, when the FBI reopened their investigation following the receipt of a letter. Continue reading to discover how it all unfolded.
The Impossible Challenge
Is there anything more daunting than being sentenced to Alcaraz? This fortress-like prison was erected on a remote island to incarcerate and isolate the world’s most perilous and terrifying individuals. It was intended for the most seasoned plotters and violent criminals in America.
It’s hard to fathom how three inmates managed to escape from such a high-security facility – not to mention surviving the frigid coastal swim. Official records claim the trio perished during the swim, but a recent letter compelled authorities to launch a fresh investigation. 87/100
This is not his initial experience riding a bull
Frank Lee Morris, with a juvenile record of minor offenses, found himself in a series of prisons nationwide. His journey led him to the “Louisiana State Penitentiary,” often dubbed the ‘Alcatraz of the South.’ Here, Morris executed a daring escape during a ten-year sentence for bank robbery.
After a year of evading law enforcement, he might have seen it as a prelude. Yet, his eventual capture and transfer to Alcatraz mark the real beginning of this extraordinary true story. Brace yourself for an incredible tale. 85/100
Who is Frank Morris Lee?
Frank Lee Morris, the brains behind the operation, was a true professional in the world of crime, marked by his cunning, expertise, and ingenuity. His upbringing was marked by adversity, orphaned at the tender age of 11, and he learned to navigate life’s challenges through sheer resilience. Despite his remarkable intellect, destiny took an unexpected turn, leading him to infamy as the leader of Alcatraz’s Great Escape instead of the fame he might have achieved. 75/100
The Sibling Duo
Upon his arrival at Alcatraz, famously known as “The Rock,” Frank Lee Morris encountered a pair of brothers who would later become part of his team. These siblings were Clarence and John Anglin.
Eventually, they teamed up with another individual named Allen West, forming a four-man group. Originally from Georgia, the siblings had moved to Florida for work, with their parents following suit. Their childhood was relatively pleasant and ordinary – every summer, the four of them even enjoyed cherry-picking together.81/100
The Connection Shared by Two Siblings
Clarance and John Anglin shared an unbreakable bond as they navigated life together. Their adventures took them on cherry-picking trips to Michigan, solidifying their connection. Their time swimming in Michigan’s lakes would prove valuable in the future. Yet, the brothers also had a darker side, as evidenced by their 1956 arrest for bank robbery. Little did they know that this arrest was just the beginning of their remarkable story.69/100
Prior to Frank Lee Morris
After all members of the squad had been picked, the four of them tried to achieve the scheme of all the schemes – fleeing from the world’s most secure jail. United, the team had a remarkable amount of experience on how to maneuver their way around the wardens and break free from their cells. 54/100
The Strategy
The plan itself appeared deceptively simple: escape from the prison and swim to the distant shore. However, executing this plan was considered nearly impossible. As mentioned earlier, 36 inmates had previously perished attempting the very same feat – so why should their attempt be any different?
To succeed, they had to leverage their collective experience and expertise while cultivating an extraordinary degree of trust and loyalty among themselves. They were fully aware that the odds were stacked against them, with fellow inmates branding them as insane. Yet, they were willing to tread the fine line between madness and brilliance with grace.
The Beginning
Ironically, all four inmates had previously served time at the “Atlanta Penitentiary” before their transfer to Alcatraz. This prior connection may have expedited their trust and collaboration. They may have regarded themselves as acquaintances due to their shared origins, haling from the same neighborhood, or they could have even known each other before their journey to California.
Housed in adjacent cells, these four men had ample time to meticulously devise their infamous escape plan. To succeed, they would need to harness every bit of intellect and resourcefulness they possessed. 89/100
Gathering the Essential Equipment
How can one procure the essential resources while confined to a cell? Fortunately, the prison had an economic side to it. Inmates could engage in work for the U.S. army, crafting clothing, furniture, or footwear.
These work opportunities provided access to a substantial pool of resources that clever and resourceful individuals could utilize for their escape plans! As they were imprisoned at Alcatraz for non-violent offenses, the guards paid less attention to them, allowing the four to maintain a low profile. 81/100
The Components
The quartet began executing their plan methodically. Credit must be given where it’s due, as accomplishing their intended escape would demand a great deal of skill, patience, and intelligence to discreetly amass the necessary resources.
They recognized that their absence would be swiftly noticed upon leaving their cells, so they set about crafting life-sized dummies to place on their bunks after departure. Additionally, a means of leaving the island was essential, as the wardens of that era were far less accommodating than those of today; they would have faced immediate gunfire if caught. 93/100
The Disguising
To ensure the success of their plot, each member of the escape team had specific tasks to fulfill. The Anglin brothers took on a crucial role in crafting lifelike dummy heads for all four prisoners. Meanwhile, Frank Lee Morris had different responsibilities, using soap wax, real hair sourced from the prison barbershop, and toilet paper to create these decoy heads.
Morris devoted significant time to developing an inflatable raft and a life jacket-like device. With all these elements in motion, they had the necessary components to potentially pull off a successful escape.92/100
In High Spirits
Every evening, typically between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., they meticulously chipped away at the solid rock within their individual cells to create an opening into the ventilation system. During moments when they wouldn’t be noticed, they removed the grate from their cell and carefully chipped away at it using stolen spoons or small pieces of wood collected from various daytime work locations.
This phase of the master plan proved to be the most time-consuming, spanning several months and weeks of discreetly chipping and removing rock for several hours each day.91/100
Good News on the Horizon!
Fortunately, even in the 1960s, Alcatraz was showing its age, with the facility slowly deteriorating. The constant exposure to saltwater from showers and dishwashing had caused gradual damage to the pipes, leading to leaks that softened the walls.
The inmates astutely recognized this vulnerability and strategically chose when and where to continue their nibbling efforts. With time, they found it increasingly easier to work on the weakened points, eroding the hardened structure. It’s important to note that modern prisons have since improved their infrastructure.84/100
The Commotion
Curiously, you might inquire about their ability to conceal the noise. During the 1960s, prisoners were granted daily music hours in their cells as part of prison reform measures. The ingenious escapees seized this opportunity.
Frank Lee Morris played his accordion with increasing volume each night, effectively masking the chipping sounds as his team dug deeper into the walls. While this musical accompaniment may have irked fellow inmates, it was the least of their concerns. On the opposite side of the wall lay an unguarded corridor with pipes running along its length. 92/100
The Labyrinth
The corridor hidden behind the prison cells served as an open playground for the inmates, devoid of security measures. As they gradually chipped away at the bricks in their respective cells, widening the gaps sufficiently, they aimed to breach into the utility corridor. From there, their ascent continued, spanning three flights to reach the rooftop’s apex.
Further progress necessitated prayers and caution. Upon reaching the building’s summit, accessing the rooftop involved unlatching one of the unsealed shafts, a discovery that spurred them to initiate their daring escape plan. 88/100
The Enchanting Signal
By this juncture, three out of four inmates were fully prepared for their escape, with only Allen West remaining, struggling to finish digging through the tougher walls of his cell. This delay caused the gang to wait anxiously.
It wasn’t until two months later, in June, that West was finally ready. He discreetly signaled his fellow gang members, signaling his readiness. However, an unforeseen event unfolded at that moment, potentially jeopardizing the entire escape plan. 75/100
One, two, three, commence! Prepared, set, initiate!
No one had ever managed to survive an Alcatraz escape. They were on the brink of making history, defying the fate that had claimed countless unsuccessful inmates. Life within Alcatraz was scarcely better than death, driving them to stake their lives and confront the perils awaiting them on their daring journey to freedom.
Armed with essential supplies and adrenaline-fueled determination, they devised decoys and readied themselves for the impending ordeal. 70/100
The first challenge
As Morris and the siblings effortlessly made their way through their holes, Allen, the fourth member, struggled due to a miscalculation in the hole’s size. After months of waiting and failed attempts to assist him, impatience led the three others to a tough decision: leaving him behind.
One can only imagine his feelings, having invested so much effort yet ultimately abandoned by the group. Had he secured his salvation or sealed his fate?
The Alarm Sound Rings Out Loud
This marked the final known sighting of Frank Lee Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin. They are believed to have embarked on their journey into the sea, likely around 11:30 pm that night.
The discovery of the decoy heads left in their cells triggered alarms across the island the following morning. Fellow inmates were astounded by the unprecedented escape from “The Rock,” unsure if the trio had successfully reached safety or met a watery demise.
It’s time to catch up!
After witnessing the successful escape of his three companions and recognizing its effectiveness, Allen West found the motivation to join them. Once he had enlarged his opening sufficiently, he crawled through, aiming to rendezvous with his friends on the opposite shore.
Lacking a raft, he faced a critical decision upon reaching the shore: risk a perilous swim or turn back towards his cell. The juxtaposition of being tantalizingly close to freedom yet still so distant must have been agonizing.
Time To Come Out Clean…
Allen West made the decision to retreat to his cell, deeming the prospect of certain death too great a risk. With his fellow escapees gone, he faced the uncertainty of crossing the treacherous waters alone and without support.
In the days following the escape, West confessed everything to the prison authorities, providing the basis for the story we know today. He revealed their initial plan to reach Angel Island, secure clothing and transportation, and then part ways. The question remains: did the guards truly believe his extraordinary account? 88/100
The Letter That Altered Everything
In January 2018, it was revealed that a letter purportedly from John Anglin had reached the San Francisco Police Department in 2013. This prompted the FBI to officially reopen the case, intensifying their efforts to locate and apprehend at least one of the three escaped inmates.
The delay in the FBI’s awareness of the letter’s existence, five years after it was sent, added another layer of mystery to the case. Nevertheless, the contents of the letter were startling, even for the most skeptical followers of crime stories.
A Final Admission?
The letter contained revealing information about the escape and whereabouts of the convicts. It declared, “I am John Anglin. In June 1962, I escaped from Alcatraz with my brother Clarence and Frank Morris.
I’m currently 83 and in poor health, battling cancer.” “We all achieved our objectives that night, but it was a close call! … Frank passed away in October 2008. He is buried under a different name in Argentina. My brother passed away in 2011.” So, in 2013, where was John residing?
Negotiating an Agreement
The letter closed with a straightforward proposition: “If you publicly announce on television that I will serve no more than one year in prison with access to medical treatment, I will respond with my exact location. This is not a joke…” However, prior to any consideration of these terms, law enforcement had to conduct forensic tests to ascertain the authenticity of the sender’s claim of being John.
The motivation behind an elderly individual in his final days seeking a return to prison remained a perplexing mystery, prompting efforts to gather all available information.
The Viewpoint of the Guards
In March 2018, Jim Albright, a former Alcatraz guard, granted a revealing interview on “ABC7,” shedding light on the historic events. 55 years after the escape, he broke his silence, sharing his belief that the escapees likely perished in the waters and never reached San Francisco.
Albright acknowledged differing opinions, stating, “It depends on whether you’re talking to me or you’re talking to their mother. I believe they drowned, I really do.” He also suggested that the letter might have been penned by someone urgently seeking cancer treatment.
Concealed Reality
To this day, certainty eludes us regarding the fate of these men after their daring escape. There exists no concrete evidence on either side of the argument to definitively prove whether they survived or perished. Assuming they did indeed make it out of the prison that fateful day and are still alive, they would be 86, 87, and 90 years old respectively. If they managed to survive (if they did!), it means they spent a maximum of 55 years as fugitives, essentially living more than half their lives in freedom, albeit on the run. What are your thoughts on this intriguing mystery?
