In this photograph taken in 2017, the remains of the prison on Alcatraz Island are clearly seen. Today, the prison is a tourist attraction, with guided tours arriving daily. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area manages the site, and it has become a famous museum dedicated to the days it was a federal penitentiary.
The estimated earnings of Alcatraz prison today are around $180,000, including sponsorships and other sources of income. More than 1.5 million visitors make their way to the prison every year. It offers a ride down memory lane and covers the history of the prison through the federal penitentiary days and the American Indian era.
The Alcatraz Triathlon
So, like many things, someone thought of a way to keep Alcatraz famous, not only for its prison and its reputation. In 1981, The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon was born. It is a modified International Distance Triathlon, and it is open to professional triathletes. The race consists of a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz prison to the Marina Green shoreline. And this is not all.
An annual New Year's Day Alcatraz race takes place every year, and the only thing related to the prison is the name. Here, we see George Farnsworth, who was 67 years old then. He finished last. However, he does not seem to be bothered too much about that.
Aftermath
A shot of the would-be escapees who survived the riot: Clarence Carnes, Sam Shockley, and Miran Thompson. In 1948, Shockley and Thompson were sent to their death for their part in the “Battle of Alcatraz, while Carnes received leniency and was sentenced to life in prison.
The two are shown here in the photo during their trial. No matter how serious of a criminal one was, when it came to courts and sentence giving, the gangster's suit was put on, and trying to look innocent was the game's name. Their names would go down in history as two of the most famous inmates America's prisoners have ever known.
James A. Johnston
James A. Johnstone was a well-known penologist and was the head of the Folsom and San Quentin prisons. When he was in his early 20s, he accepted the wardenship of Alcatraz Island Federal Penitentiary. It was under his name that Alcatraz prison became one of the worst criminal prisons in the country.
He was known to be seen unguarded amongst the prisoners, even the most dangerous of them all. He would eat his meals with them and communicate in an eye-level conversation. On one occasion, one of the inmates attacked him; however, this did not prevent him from continuing to dine with the prisoners.
Waxey Gordon
Waxey Gordon was an American gangster specializing in illegal gambling and spent a fair share of time behind the walls of Alcatraz prison. His first introduction to the prison was in 1951, after he was accused and found guilty of selling illegal substances on the streets.
His very long criminal record didnt do him any favors, so when it came to giving his sentence, 25 years imprisonment was handed out. He spent his last days behind the prison's walls, where he died of a medical condition at the age of 52.