...Alcatraz Island has quite a distinct history. Many people know that Alcatraz served as a federal prison, but most are reluctant to know that this island served as fort. Built before the Civil War, it served two main purposes. First, that it was to guard the San Francisco bay area from enemy ships against a foreign invasion, and second, to hold hostage prisoners of war or POW's as they were called. In this report, I'll show you how this fortress came to be a federal prison, why it is no longer in operation today, and most importantly, to show why it was built in the first place. When the great Gold Rush of 1849 first started, California grew from what would be considered a small, unpopulated state, into what it is now. California is now one of the most populated states and it was mostly the gold rush that brought attention to California. As the government saw all of this happening, they realized that California was much more important than they ever realized. In their realization, they decided that California must be protected. San Francisco has one of the largest bays in all of California, and so this was where enemy countries would most likely to try to invade the country. So this is where Alcatraz was to lie, to serve as a military fort. It was supposed to serve as a secondary base in companionship to another base located on the other side of Golden Gate Bridge. But with severe problems trying to build this other base, Alcatraz was to remain alone. Out in the middle of the San...
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...State and Federal Prisons Your Name Here CJS 230 July 7, 2011 Jean O’Gallagher Axia College of University of Phoenix State prisons are primarily operated by state governments. Overcrowding is a persistent problem in most state and federal prisons. By the end of 2001, state prisons were operating between 1 and 16 percent over capacity. This makes the prisons more difficult to operate, and puts the health and safety of inmates and staff at risk. The prison systems known today are based on eighteenth century Age of Enlightenment. The Walnut Street Jail was the first “so-called” penitentiary opened in the United States. The most common name for this system of prisons today is the “Department of Corrections.” There are merely more than 1 million men and women housed in the confinements operated by the states. Most of the states started with only one state prison, and now they have grown to as many as 100 in the state of Texas. The type of institution that the states used to start their initial prison on was based off of the Auburn model, and was expanded from their based on the special needs (women and younger offenders) was accepted. May 14, 1930 marked the birth of the Federal Bureau of Prisons which was created by an act of Congress by President Herbert Hoover. The first U.S. Penitentiary was an old military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; this penitentiary began to house prisoners in 1895. The third penitentiary was the first newly constructed federal prison and was...
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...Alcatraz, also known as “the rock”, is an island off the coast of San Francisco. It started out as military base and later on was used as a prison. It held many famous criminals that were usually but not always sent there for misbehaving at the first prison they were sent to. This paper will talk about the prior uses for the island of Alcatraz, the notable people that served their time in the prison, the escape attempts that were made, and what the island is used for today. In 1850 Alcatraz Island was set aside specifically for military purposes. When the American Civil war broke out, cannons were mounted along the perimeter of the island but were only used in defense. Also during this time, the island was used for storage of firearms to prevent them falling into the hands of Confederate sympathizers. Because of the location of the island, Alcatraz was used to house Civil War prisoners beginning in 1861. The Spanish-American war increased the prison population from 26 to over 450 in 1898. Many renovations were to done to the prison over time, to increase the number of people that could be housed there. In 1933 the fortress was deactivated as a military prison, which created the opportunity for the island to become a federal prison. From the 1930’s- 1960's, Alcatraz was America’s leading maximum-security prison, the final stop for the nation's most persistent inmates. Al Capone and Robert Stroud “the Bird Man of Alcatraz” are considered two of the most famous...
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...Federal Prisons Federal Prisons Federal prisons are categorized by five different levels minimum security, low security, medium security, high security, or administrative. Each of the people that are discussed in this paper has been imprisoned in one of these federal prisons. People of the United States assume that a federal prison is luxurious, but not all. Martha Stewart was imprisoned at a minimum security prison in Alderson, West Virginia for the crime of lying to investigators about the sale of stock before it crumbled. Martha Stewart, Ivan Boesky were arrested for similar crimes. Ivan Boesky, was arrested for inside trading. Ivan Boesky would receive information regarding a company and would sell or buy stock. This type of information was to kept confidential and not used for ones personal gain. All were sent to a federal minimum security prisons. Minimum security prisons are known as Federal Prison Camps, these camps have dormitory housing, a low staff to inmate ration and limited or no perimeter fencing ( U. S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prison, N.D.). Inmates are able to enjoy activities while in prison, such as volley ball, or tennis. Although minimum security prisons have amenities that state run prisons do not, inmates are still subject to strip searches and being accounted for through out the day. Inmates are only allowed to shower until 11:00 pm. Woman are only permitted to do their hair in the hair care room, where curling irons are provided...
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...Federal Prison Comparison Tanya Gildner CJA/234 May 30, 2011 Sherri Webster Federal Prison Comparison Depending on the type of crime an individual commits will depend on the type of prison he or she is sentenced to stay. If an individual commits a bank robbery, or commits a crime in another state he or she will be sentenced to a federal prison. This paper will consist of eight individuals who have been sentenced to federal prisons for crimes they have committed. Though the crimes are not of similarity, they have one thing in common and that is spending time in a federal prison. Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a successful businesswoman, and she has established a well-known business. Martha Stewart committed a crime of “…obstructing justice, conspiracy, and making false statements during an insider trade investigation…” (Crawford, 2004). Martha was found guilty of the charges brought against her, which she did receive a prison sentence of five months in a federal prison. Afterwards Martha was placed on house arrest for an additional two months and served two years of probation. The federal prison where Martha was detained to was Alderson Federal Prison. Alderson Federal Prison is known as the oldest prison for women. Alderson is a minimum security prison that was set up to rehabilitate women prisoners back into society. Ivan Boesky Like Martha Stewart, Ivan Boesky was incarcerated for insider trading as well. “Once considered wall street’s leading speculator...
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...Alcatraz Informative Speech Outline General Purpose: To inform the class Specific Purpose: To describe to the audience a brief history of Alcatraz. Thesis: Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories exaggerated in movies and television shows. INTRODUCTION I. If you disobey the rules of society, they send you to prison; if you disobey the rules of the prison, they send you to Alcatraz. II. Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories of mistreatment and escape attempts exaggerated in movies and television shows. III. Alcatraz served as the federal government’s response to post-prohibition America. Both the institution and the men confined within its walls are a part of this era. The most famous inmate being, Al Capone and others like George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”. A. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock”. B. Then, I will discuss life on the island and as an inmate in the prison. C. And last, I will discuss the popular culture of Alcatraz; including some failed escape attempts before the closing of the prison. BODY I. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz. A. Alcatraz opened in 1934, as a wave...
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...* Alcatraz Informative Speech Outline General Purpose: To inform the class Specific Purpose: To describe to the audience a brief history of Alcatraz. Thesis: Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories exaggerated in movies and television shows. INTRODUCTION I. If you disobey the rules of society, they send you to prison; if you disobey the rules of the prison, they send you to Alcatraz. II. Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories of mistreatment and escape attempts exaggerated in movies and television shows. III. Alcatraz served as the federal government’s response to post-prohibition America. Both the institution and the men confined within its walls are a part of this era. The most famous inmate being, Al Capone and others like George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”. A. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock”. B. Then, I will discuss life on the island and as an inmate in the prison. C. And last, I will discuss the popular culture of Alcatraz; including some failed escape attempts before the closing of the prison. BODY I. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz. A. Alcatraz opened in 1934, as a wave...
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...Daring Escapes of Alcatraz Alcatraz, “Once considered the prison of American prisons, the island of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay has been an asset to the U.S. Army, the federal prison system, jailhouse folklore, and the historic evolution of the West Coast” (Mahaney). “In nineteen thirty four Alcatraz was converted into a Federal prison” (“Escapes”). Juan Manuel de Ayala, “He called the twenty two acre rocky island ‘La Isla de los Alcatraces’, meaning ‘Island of the Pelicans’” (Mahaney). “Alcatraz was reserved for military use under President Millard Fillmore in eighteen fifty” (Mahaney). Then “The old military prison was upgraded and installed with the latest ‘escape-proof’ safeguards” (“Escapes”). Although, “It was assumed the ‘treacherous...
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...Meusec English IV 9 February 2015 Alcatraz I. 1775 A. Manuel de Ayala names the island of San Francisco Bay “La Isla de los Alcatracs” meaning island of Pelicans. II. 1848 A. Mexican-American war ended and California became a state. B. Gold was discovered along the American river and the gold rush began III. 1850 A. The Army and Navy built a triangle of defense around the bay to protect it from the gold rush B. They built 111 cannons around the fort i. Weaponary on the island was never fired in purposed to protect the island IV. 1854 A. Alcatraz Lighthouse began service V. 1863 A. J.M. Chapman, Confederate privateer ship, was seized and its crew were arrested and imprisoned on alctraz B. A wooden structure was built to house the prisoners. i. Soon more prisoners were housed a. The structure built was meant to house 500 men VI. 1898 A. Spanish-American War resulted in the prison being overcrowded VII. 1900 A. Upper prison was built on the parade grounds of Alcatraz VIII. 1906 A. Earthquake forced neighboring prisons to transfer inmates to Alcatraz i. Alcatraz became overcrowded so prisoners forced to build new prison IX. 1907 Alcatraz is designated as the “Pacific Branch, U.S. Military Prison” X. 1912 A. New Cellhouse (3rd prison built, and currently still standing), was built by prisoners, and prisoners moved in XI. 1915 A. Alcatraz was renamed “United states, Disciplinary...
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...Alcatraz: United States Penitentiary As a result of the Great Depression, a new breed of violent criminals swept the streets of America. In response to the cries of alarmed citizens, Congress enacted a number of statutes, which gave the federal government jurisdiction over certain criminal offenses previously held by the states. With the suggestion of former US Attorney General, Homes Cummings, Congress agreed that a special penal institution of maximum security and minimum privilege be established. In 1934, the legendary US Penitentiary of Alcatraz was born and became the home of Americas most wanted for the next thirty years. Once authorized by Congress, the US Department of Justice acquired control of Alcatraz Island, previously a US Army compound. As the island was redeveloped into a maximum-security prison, seven of its twelve acres were enclosed in a prison compound. The remaining five were set aside for employee residences, apartments, and recreational space. Soon after the redesigning of the old Army fortress, the Alcatraz prison was ready for the grand opening (or better said lockout!). Equipped with four different cellblocks, A, B, C and D, the Rock began its operations on January 2, 1934. Although cellblock A was seldom used, B, C and D provided 378 “cages” to accommodate the most notorious felons that America could produce. The first of four wardens to take charge of the penitentiary was a retired, professional administrator...
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...Federal Prison Comparison Team A CJA/234 Robin Marmon-Instructor September 22, 2014 There are many different types of prisons and federal penitentiaries throughout the Unites States of America and many of them are l out differently but all possess similar regulations as far as visiting, employment and rehabilitative services are concerned. It makes no difference if; you are young or old in age, have medical issues, race or ethnicity, if you commit a crime you are going to serve time in some type of correctional facility or be state property in some form such as; probation or parole. The type of correctional facility that you will be sent to really depends on the level of crime you commit. If it is a superior level crime you will be sent to a correctional facility but if it is a federal offense you will be set to a federal correctional facility which will each have a different level of security based on how extensive the crime is that you committed. Here is an example of a variety of different federal penitentiaries. General Manuel Noriega, former Panamanian Dictator from 1983 to 1989. Noriega is no ordinary man, after High School he had military preparation at Chorizos Military Academy in Peru. In 1962 graduated with an engineering degree. In 1967, he received counterintelligence training at the School of the Americas at Fort Gulick, when it was located in the U.S. Army base in Panama. Later he was also trained in psychological operations at Fort Bragg, North Carolina...
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...There are many prisons in the United States holding some of this countries most dangerous criminals, but there is one prison that prison that was known for harboring only the most ruthless criminals, and that prison was the only place to keep them. That prison was a hell hole far from any outside human contact, a cold depressing atmosphere where it drove some of its inhabitants to insanity and escape would be futile. The name of this prison is Alcatraz, the home of the wicked where it was a curse to be a prisoner and if you made it out alive of this facility, your time spent there will haunt of you for the rest of your days. The island received its name in 1775 when Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala charted the San Francisco Bay, and named this tiny island land La Isla de los Alcatraces, which translated to "Island of the Pelicans." About seventy-two years later in 1847, the U.S. Army took notice of the island rock and of its strategic value as a military base. Engineers began conducting geological surveys, and by 1853, U.S. Army Engineers had started building a military base on the island, along with the Pacific Coast's first operating lighthouse. In 1848, the discovery of gold along the American River in California brought miners from around the world to the West Coast in search of the precious gold. As word spread around the globe of never-ending wealth in California, the United States Government would begin security measures to protect the land from seizure by other...
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...audience a brief history of Alcatraz. Thesis: Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories exaggerated in movies and television shows. INTRODUCTION I. If you disobey the rules of society, they send you to prison; if you disobey the rules of the prison, they send you to Alcatraz. II. Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories of mistreatment and escape attempts exaggerated in movies and television shows. III. Alcatraz served as the federal government’s response to post-prohibition America. Both the institution and the men confined within its walls are a part of this era. The most famous inmate being, Al Capone and others like George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz”. A. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock”. B. Then, I will discuss life on the island and as an inmate in the prison. C. And last, I will discuss the popular culture of Alcatraz; including some failed escape attempts before the closing of the prison. BODY I. First, I will talk about the penitentiary opening where difficult prisoners from other institutions would be transferred to Alcatraz. A. Alcatraz opened in 1934, as a wave of gangsterism and violence was sweeping the country. Alcatraz had served as an army prison in years prior, and its remote...
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...Running head: PRISON COMPARISON PAPER Federal Prison Comparison Paper Jessica Cantu University of Phoenix Introduction to Corrections CJA 234 Jeffery Newton November 12, 2011 Federal Prison Comparison Paper There are different kinds of state prisons are: supermax, maximum security, close-high security, medium security, minimum security, and open security. Supermax prisons are permanent lockdown. Maximum security prisons are usually older, larger, walled facilities. They also have the most rigorous security procedures and the lowest inmate to guard ratio. Close-high security are a kind of maximum security but less restrictive and the inmate to guard ratio is a bit higher. Medium security prisons are smaller and newer, and have double fences instead of walls. These prisons also have dorm or pod housing rather than cells; however, the inmate to guard ratio is a bit higher. Minimum security prisons are also newer and smaller as well as minimal perimeter security and fewer internal controls. Again there is an even higher inmate to guard ratio and the inmates live in rooms or dorms and have more privacy and amenities than those in other prisons. Open security prisons are better known as nonsecure facilities; work release centers, prerelease centers, and halfway houses. These facilities have no armed guards and no fences (Foster, 2006). John Gotti John Gotti grew up in poverty but quickly rose in prominence, and was one of the crime family's biggest...
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...Marisa Carroll Professor Condon English 1101-64 30 September 2013 The Alcatraz of the Rockies In 1990, John Jay Powers was sentenced to time in prison for robbing a bank. While there, he witnessed the murder of another inmate and began suffering from post-traumatic stress. In 2001, after a brief escape attempt, he was transferred to Administrative Maximum (ADX) Florence, the federal government's only supermax facility, where inmates are housed in conditions of such extreme isolation. The prison is known as ADX Florence, Florence ADMAX, Supermax, and, not so fondly, as the "Alcatraz of the Rockies" (Marcus). Before entering ADX, Powers had no history or symptoms of mental illness, but since being installed there, he has become deranged and has engaged in numerous acts of self-mutilation, including biting off his finger, and trying to kill himself on several occasions (“Reports on and from”). To give people an idea of why a previously sane person would lapse into madness at ADX, they would need look no further than the circumstances of their confinement. ADX was designed to ensure the total isolation of all its prisoners, who are held in cells about the size of an average bathroom. The cells have thick, concrete soundproof walls, a door with bars and a second door made of solid steel. The only possible means of communicating with other humans is to yell into the toilet bowl and hope that someone may hear. The inmates are kept in their cells twenty four hours of the day for...
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