Scarface Behind Bars: Al Capone Gets Tamed by Alcatraz

The infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone, known as ‘Scarface,’ has finally met his match – the notorious Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. On August 22, 1934, Capone and 52 other convicts were transferred from other prisons to the escape-proof fortress, marking a new era in Capone’s life behind bars.

According to Warden James A. Johnston, Capone and his fellow inmates will be working for 48 hours a week, with an eight-hour work period each day, except on Sundays. The prison labor will keep them busy in the laundry, clothing shop, shoe shop, kitchens, and maintenance occupations.

The transfer of Capone to Alcatraz has increased the prison population to 100, making it a significant milestone in the history of the prison. Attorney General Homer S. Cummings emphasized that this move was specifically designed for convicts who have attempted to escape from other prisons, highlighting the need for a secure facility like Alcatraz.

Life inside Alcatraz will be anything but dull for Capone and his companions. In their leisure time, they can enjoy a breathtaking view of San Francisco, so close that the details of the skyline are clearly visible, even when the fog rolls in. They can watch ocean liners and freighters pass through the Golden Gate, or follow the progress of the two great bridge projects stretching across the surging waters.

Capone’s notorious reputation and lavish lifestyle will likely take a backseat to the harsh realities of life in Alcatraz. The infamous gangster’s days of bootlegging and violence are behind him, replaced by the drudgery of prison labor and the strict rules of the maximum-security prison.

As Alcatraz continues to assert its dominance as one of the toughest prisons in the country, it’s clear that Al Capone has finally met his match. The notorious gangster will have to adapt to a new life behind bars, where the only indulgences will be the view and the sound of the ocean.