WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has proposed reopening the notorious Alcatraz prison, reigniting interest in the infamous 1962 escape that remains unsolved to this day.
Immediate Impact
Despite its ironclad reputation, Alcatraz was not entirely inescapable. On June 11, 1962, three prisoners—Frank Morris and brothers Clarence and John Anglin—executed a daring escape from the island fortress. Their disappearance into the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay has fueled speculation and intrigue for over six decades.
President Trump’s recent comments in the Oval Office emphasize the prison’s legendary status. “Nobody’s ever escaped from Alcatraz,” he asserted, suggesting that this reputation supports his proposal to reopen the facility.
Key Details Emerge
The escapees, known for their repeated attempts to break free from other prisons, used a combination of ingenuity and resourcefulness to escape Alcatraz. They crafted a raft from 50 raincoats, drilled holes through their cell walls, and created dummy heads to fool guards during nightly checks.
“The work which the subjects performed in preparation for the escape is fantastic,” said Special Agent in Charge Frank L. Price in an FBI memo.
Their plan was aided by the deteriorating condition of the prison, which was already slated for closure due to high maintenance costs. Retired US Marshal Art Roderick noted, “They weren’t doing any repairs at the time,” which contributed to the escape’s success.
Background Context
Morris and the Anglin brothers were incarcerated at Alcatraz following multiple escape attempts from other facilities. The Anglins, originally from Georgia, had a history of burglary and theft, often driven by a desire for a better life.
In the years following the escape, various clues have surfaced, including a postcard allegedly from the escapees and a photograph purportedly showing the Anglin brothers in Brazil. However, none of these leads have been conclusively verified.
Expert Analysis
Roderick, who has been involved in the investigation for nearly 40 years, remains skeptical of the escapees’ survival. “They either died in the Bay or are dead by now,” he stated, acknowledging the harsh conditions of the San Francisco Bay.
Despite the FBI closing its investigation in 1979, the US Marshals Service continues to keep the case open, maintaining wanted posters of the escapees and even releasing age-progressed images.
What Comes Next
President Trump’s proposal to reopen Alcatraz as a symbol of law and order has sparked debate. While some see it as a potential deterrent for criminals, others, like David Widner, the Anglins’ nephew, argue against dismantling the museum that currently occupies the site.
“I think it’s a bad idea,” Widner said. “You would be losing a lot of history there.”
The proposal comes at a time when the legacy of Alcatraz and its most famous escape continue to captivate the public, raising questions about the future of the island and its place in American history.
