This week in history

August 11, 1934, 137 prisoners arrived at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. They were the first prisoners to arrive and be housed in the new Federal Penitentiary. The majority were transferred from Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas.

Prisoners continued to arrive; they were the incorrigibles. Among their ranks were notorious bank robbers, gangsters, murderers and counterfeiters. By the first anniversary of “The Rock” being opened, it had a population of 242 prisoners.

Frank Weatherman was the last prisoner to leave the Federal Penitentiary, said this: “Good. Good for me. Good for everyone. Alcatraz never was no good.” It was March 21, 1963.

Source: National Park Service & personal research

Compiled by Bob Valen