The Rock’s Ghosts

Alcatraz Island, home to America’s most notorious federal prison from 1934-1963, has been haunted since its closure. Rangers and visitors regularly report encounters with the spirits of the dangerous men who lived and died on “The Rock.”

The Prison

Alcatraz Federal:

• Operated 1934-1963
• Maximum security
• “Escape proof”
• Island location
• Isolated

Famous Inmates

Who served time:

• Al Capone
• Machine Gun Kelly
• Robert Stroud (Birdman)
• Bumpy Johnson
• The worst criminals

D Block

The hole:

• Solitary confinement
• Total darkness
• Psychological torture
• Drove men mad
• Most haunted

Cell 14D

Specific activity:

• Cold spot constant
• Screaming heard
• Inmate found dead
• Unknown cause
• Intense presence

The 1940s Incident

Famous account:

• Inmate screaming
• In solitary
• Something in cell
• “Glowing eyes”
• Found dead morning

Al Capone’s Presence

Banjo music:

• From shower room
• Where Capone played
• Recognizable sound
• Regular occurrence
• His spirit?

The Utility Corridor

1946 battle:

• Escape attempt
• Guards killed
• Inmates died
• Battle sounds heard
• Residual haunting

Park Ranger Reports

Staff experiences:

• Cell doors clanging
• Voices heard
• Figures seen
• Regular occurrences
• Well-documented

The Cellhouse

Main block:

• Footsteps
• Cell door sounds
• Cold spots
• Shadow figures
• Active area

Night Tours

Available:

• After dark tours
• Enhanced experiences
• Ghost hunters
• Popular program
• Activity increases

Investigation Results

Paranormal teams:

• Ghost Adventures
• Multiple investigations
• EVP recordings
• Video evidence
• Consistent activity

The Warden’s House

Also haunted:

• Though burned
• Presence felt
• During night tours
• Ruins active
• Separate haunting

Robert Stroud

The Birdman:

• Hospital ward
• Studied birds here
• His presence felt
• Wing C activity
• Intelligent haunting

Significance

Iconic American prison with documented haunting and ongoing paranormal activity experienced by thousands.

Legacy

Alcatraz continues to imprison—not bodies, but spirits of the dangerous men who served time on America’s most notorious island prison.