Alcatraz Island is a famous former prison located in the middle of San Francisco Bay

The island was first used as a military fort in the 1850s before becoming a federal prison in 1934

The prison on Alcatraz Island was known for being home to some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, including Al Capone and Robert Stroud

Despite its reputation as a maximum-security prison, Alcatraz had one of the best prison libraries in the country, with over 15,000 books available to inmates

Alcatraz Island is often shrouded in fog due to its location in the middle of San Francisco Bay

In addition to the prison, Alcatraz Island also served as a lighthouse station and a military fortification during World War II

The island was the site of a Native American occupation in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with activists protesting the treatment of Indigenous peoples

Alcatraz Island is home to a large population of nesting seabirds, including cormorants and seagulls

The prison on Alcatraz Island was closed in 1963 due to high operating costs and concerns over the safety of the facility

Today, Alcatraz Island is a popular tourist destination and is home to several historic buildings and exhibits