A series of views showing the cellhouse area known to inmates as “Times Square.”  The second photograph was taken on August 20, 1934

The cells in A Block were generally used in special solitary confinement conditions for short-term lock-up periods or whenever an inmate needed to be fully isolated from his fellow prisoners. Following the construction of D Block in 1941, A Block was used only in special circumstances. Several of the cells served as storage space for things such as cleaning supplies, and others were set up as small offices with ribbon typewriters and law references for inmates who were preparing their legal cases.

Inmates later named the main corridor running between B and C Blocks Broadway.The cells along this passageway (and especially the cells along the flats) were considered the least desirable of all. Those on the bottom tier were inherently colder because of the long slick run of cement, and they were also the least private, since guards, inmates, and other personnel frequented and this corridor and a main passageway between the east and west sections of the prison. The newer “fish” were assigned to the second tier of B Block during their quarantine status. The quarantine protocol required inmates to remain in their cells for twenty three hours per day and prohibited any work assignments for the first three months of their imprisonment. The outer aisle between C and D Blocks were named Seedy Street, and Michigan Avenuebetween the B and A Blocks. The section of C Block directly facing the library was known as Park Ave.

The area known to inmates as “Seedy Street.”

A view from the D Block entrance, looking down “Seedy Street” towards “Park Ave.”

Park Avenue. This was considered by inmates as the best cell location, because of its warmth and sunlight.

Inmates considered this group of cells to be the best living area in the entire prison. The cells were considerably warmer, as they received some direct sunlight and when no one was at work in the library, they had limited privacy. The cellhouse plumbing system piped in saltwater from the San Francisco Bay for the flushing of cell toilets. It was said to have permeated the cells with a foul smell that the inmates hated, and this would be the origin of Warden Johnston’s nickname, “Saltwater Johnston.”

There were several tests performed on the new “tool-proof” bar structures. The new round-style bars were forged from a layered composite material, and they replaced the older flat-style bars. In tests, prison personnel utilized several hacksaw types that could be found within the prison industries. Their studies showed that sawing through the soft steel exterior of the cell bars was seemingly easy, but once the blade struck the hardened core section made from carbon steel, it could progress no further, and would quickly dull. There were other tests utilizing abrasives and piano wire and these had limited success in making significant cuts into the bar, but all failed to saw completely through. The Stewart Iron Works Company completed the remodeling of the cellhouse structure and locking mechanisms in late July of 1934, and also facilitated the training all of the prison personnel.

On average, inmates were required to spend sixteen hours per day confined in their cells. Those who had no work assignment would spend twenty-three hours a day in lockdown.

John Paul Chase, the partner of Baby Face Nelson, was convicted for the murder of an FBI Agent, and was an avid artist during his tenure at Alcatraz.

Guard Towers

An armed officer standing on the exterior walk of the Road Tower. Visible in the distance is the Model Shop Tower.

Two exterior views of armed officers standing on the catwalk of the Road Tower. Guard Tower Officers stood ready to fire upon any inmate who attempted to escape, or any vessel that breached the 200-yard perimeter.

The guard towers were considered one of the worst post assignments by correctional officers. The towers were typically cold and boring during the long shifts and activities such as reading or listening to a radio were prohibited.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons built six guard towers which were manned by armed officers carrying high-powered rifles and machine guns.

The Dock Tower.

The prison had six watchtowers that were constructed as tactical lookouts. The Dock Tower was located at the north end of the dock area. The officer assigned to this post would watch for any vessels that failed to maintain a minimum 200-yard distance, and he would also be the keeper of the keys to the prison launch. The Main Tower was originally located on the northeast roof area of the main cellhouse. It was manned twenty-four hours a day during its seventeen years of operation, and was ultimately removed in 1951. Had it been left in place, this tower would likely have prevented the famous Morris and Anglin brothers’ escape in 1962. In the early years of the prison there was also a Powerhouse Tower located at the northeast end of the island, adjacent to the powerhouse. It was eventually abandoned when the Dock Tower was rebuilt to a higher elevation. The Model Tower was located on the rooftop of the Model Industries Building and was staffed only during daylight / work hours. The Hill Tower was located between the main prison yard and the prison industries and there was a long catwalk that ran from the recreation yard wall to the Model Shop Building. The tower was positioned to allow the officer on-duty to provide assistance to officers posted at these locations. The Road Tower was accessed by a catwalk leading from the prison yard catwalk and was isolated by a barbed wire cyclone gate in the middle of the walkway.

Most of the tower posts had their own toilets and running water. Nevertheless, officers considered these posts to be the worst assignments of any on the island. Former Captain of the Guards Philip Bergen, who was assigned to Alcatraz from 1939 until 1955, later commented: “There was nothing worse than being assigned to a tower or on the yard wall. I had that duty on a number of occasions and it was hell. Your lips and skin were always chapped from exposure, and the cold metal [of your gun] would numb your hands.”  The tower assignments were typically cold and extremely boring. Radios were considered a dangerous diversion and were strictly prohibited. The tower officers were well armed with a variety of weapons, in a different configuration for each post. The weapons used included Thompson submachine guns, powerful .30-06 Springfield rifles, Colt .45 pistols, gas guns and gas grenades. Former Correctional Officer Al Bloomquist recalled his assignment to the Road Tower: