Al Capone At Alcatraz: The Definitive History Of Inmate AZ-85
On August 22, 1934, a heavily guarded armored train pulled onto the train ferry at Tiburon, California, carrying some of the most notorious federal prisoners in United States history. Among them was Alphonse "Scarface" Capone, the infamous Chicago outfit leader who had once ruled the city's bootlegging, gambling, and racketeering empires with impunity. Stripped of his custom-tailored suits, diamond pinky rings, and administrative influence, he was booked into the newly opened Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary as Inmate AZ-85.
The transfer of Al Capone to "The Rock" was not merely a change in geographic location; it was a calculated administrative strategy designed by the U.S. Department of Justice to demonstrate that no criminal, regardless of wealth or political leverage, was beyond the reach of federal law.
The Road to the Rock: Why Al Capone Was Transferred to Alcatraz
Capone’s journey to Alcatraz began with his 1931 conviction for federal income tax evasion. Sentenced to 11 years in federal prison, he was initially sent to the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia. However, Atlanta did not remain a secure facility for long when it came to Capone's influence.
The Atlanta Exploits
In Atlanta, Capone quickly leveraged his immense wealth to corrupt guards and prison administrators. He lived in comparative luxury, occupying a spacious cell decorated with expensive rugs and custom furniture. He had a private radio, access to his personal funds, and was permitted frequent, unmonitored visits from associates, enabling him to run his criminal syndicate from behind bars.
The Federal Crackdown
When word of Capone's privileged lifestyle leaked to the public, it caused national outrage. Attorney General Homer Cummings and the newly appointed Director of the Bureau of Prisons, Sanford Bates, realized that a new class of maximum-security, maximum-discipline prison was required to house incorrigible inmates. Alcatraz, a former military fort in the freezing waters of the San Francisco Bay, was selected as the ultimate solution. Capone was among the very first intake cohorts, transferred specifically to break his contact with the outside world and strip him of his institutional power.
Daily Life Inside Cell 181: The Brutal Routine of Inmate AZ-85
Upon his arrival at Alcatraz, Al Capone faced an uncompromising regime overseen by Warden James A. Johnston. Johnston made it clear that Capone would receive no special treatment, famously stating, "You will get no privileges here beyond those which the department allows and what you earn by your behavior."
Physical Environment
Capone was assigned to Cell 181 on B-Block. The cell was a stark, cold space measuring exactly 9 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 7 feet high. It contained only:
- A narrow iron cot with a thin mattress
- A small folding table and shelf
- A toilet and a sink with cold running water
- No private radio, no newspapers, and no personal correspondence except highly censored letters from immediate family members.
The Daily Regimen
The daily schedule at Alcatraz was designed with military precision. Inmates were woken at 6:30 AM, given 20 minutes to dress and tidy their cells, and then marched under armed guard to the mess hall for a silent breakfast. Capone was assigned to work in the prison laundry, a hot, exhausting, and monotonous job. He spent hours pressing clothes and folding linens alongside other inmates who often harbored deep resentment toward him.
The Rule of Silence During the early years of Alcatraz, the Bureau of Prisons enforced a strict policy of absolute silence. Inmates were forbidden from speaking in the cell blocks, corridors, or dining hall. For a man who thrived on verbal command, social influence, and charisma, this enforced isolation was a devastating psychological punishment that accelerated his mental decline.
The Lavish Life Al Capone Lived While Imprisoned At Alcatraz | The ...
Alcatraz Prison Life vs. Atlanta Penitentiary
The stark contrast between Capone’s incarceration in Atlanta and his containment at Alcatraz illustrates the systemic shift in federal penal philosophy during the mid-1930s.
| Feature / Metric | Atlanta Federal Penitentiary (1932–1934) | Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (1934–1939) |
|---|---|---|
| Inmate Identifier | Inmate #40886 | Inmate #AZ-85 |
| Housing & Cell Setup | Spacious, carpeted cell, customized furniture, private shortwave radio | Standard 9' x 5' cell (Cell 181, B-Block), steel cot, cold water |
| Communication Privileges | Unlimited correspondence, frequent visits, corrupt couriers allowed | Restricted to immediate family, heavily censored letters, no current news |
| Financial Access | Managed vast criminal enterprises via cash bribes and physical assets | Zero access to external funds; no cash allowed inside the facility |
| Labor Requirement | Voluntary or nominal administrative tasks | Mandatory hard labor (laundry facility, utility sweeping) |
| Physical & Mental Health | Early stages of untreated syphilis; stable cognitive function | Advanced neurosyphilis; severe cognitive decline and physical deterioration |
Deconstructing the Myth: Music, Madness, and Neurosyphilis
Capone's time on Alcatraz is frequently romanticized or misunderstood. However, historical records paint a grim picture of physical and mental decay.
The Progression of Neurosyphilis
Capone contracted syphilis in his youth, and by the time he arrived at Alcatraz, the infection had remained untreated for more than a decade. The bacteria began crossing the blood-brain barrier, developing into neurosyphilis (specifically paresis). This degenerative condition caused progressive brain damage, leading to:
- Confusion, memory loss, and severe mood swings
- Slurred speech and difficulty coordinating motor functions
- Hallucinations and delusional beliefs, including instances where Capone would stand in his cell wearing his winter overcoat and hat during hot summer days.
The "Rock Islanders" Prison Band
As his cognitive abilities declined, Capone sought solace in music. Under Warden Johnston's strict but gradually softening rules, inmates of good behavior were eventually allowed to play musical instruments during designated recreation periods.
Capone received permission to have a banjo and a tenor guitar sent to the prison. He learned to read sheet music and joined the prison band, known as the "Rock Islanders." The band practiced in the social hall on Sundays, and Capone found immense comfort in playing popular tunes of the era, such as "La Paloma" and "Home on the Range." While this provided some psychological relief, his bandmates noted that he struggled to keep up with tempo changes as his neurological symptoms worsened.
The Final Days on the Island and Transfer
By 1938, Capone’s mental state was so deteriorated that he was no longer capable of performing basic manual labor or conforming to the strict discipline of the general prison population. He became a target for other inmates; in one notable incident, a bank robber named James "Tex" Lucas stabbed Capone in the back with a pair of laundry shears. Fortunately, the wounds were superficial, but it highlighted Capone’s vulnerability.
Capone spent his final year at Alcatraz confined to the prison hospital ward on the upper floor of the cell house. There, medical staff observed him talking to imaginary visitors and performing repetitive, nonsensical tasks.
On January 6, 1939, with his mind severely compromised and his 11-year sentence nearing its end (adjusted for good behavior), Capone was transferred from Alcatraz to the Federal Correctional Institution at Terminal Island in Southern California to serve out the remainder of his term. He was formally paroled in November 1939 and spent his remaining years in quiet, medically supervised retirement at his estate in Palm Island, Florida, where he died of heart failure in 1947 with the mental capacity of a young child.
Visiting Alcatraz Today: A Guide for Historians and Tourists
Alcatraz Island is managed by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Millions of visitors travel to San Francisco to walk the cell house corridors once occupied by America's most infamous criminals.
Key Points of Interest
- Cell 181 (B-Block): Located in the second tier of B-Block, this is the cell most consistently associated with Capone during his period in the general population.
- The Prison Hospital Wing: Visitors taking specialized behind-the-scenes tours can view the hospital cells where Capone spent his final months on the island fighting the effects of neurosyphilis.
- The Recreation Yard: The outdoor space where Capone was allowed to walk and where he occasionally sat with his banjo during authorized recreation hours.
Booking Information and Practical Tips
To visit the historic site, ensure you book tickets exclusively through Alcatraz City Cruises, the official concessioner authorized by the National Park Service. Tickets routinely sell out weeks in advance. The award-winning audio tour, included with general admission, features narrated accounts from former inmates and correctional officers, offering deep insights into the grim reality of life on the Rock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Al Capone's cell number at Alcatraz?
Al Capone was primarily housed in Cell 181 on B-Block during his time in the general population. However, due to security concerns, occasional cell rotations, and his rapid cognitive decline, he was moved several times before spending his final year in the prison hospital wing.
How long was Al Capone imprisoned on Alcatraz?
Al Capone was imprisoned on Alcatraz for approximately four years and four months. He arrived on August 22, 1934, and was transferred to Terminal Island in Southern California on January 6, 1939, due to advanced neurosyphilis.
Did Al Capone ever try to escape from Alcatraz?
No, Al Capone never attempted to escape from Alcatraz. He was aware that his health was failing, and he prioritized maintaining good behavior in order to earn time off his sentence for good conduct, eventually leading to his early release to a medical facility.
What instrument did Al Capone play while at Alcatraz?
Al Capone played the banjo and the tenor guitar. He was permitted to purchase these instruments through his family and participated in the prison's inmate band, the "Rock Islanders," which performed for fellow inmates during Sunday recreation periods.
Why was Al Capone sent to Alcatraz instead of another prison?
Capone was sent to Alcatraz because he had corrupted the guard staff at his previous prison in Atlanta, allowing him to live in luxury and continue running his criminal empire. Alcatraz was designed specifically to break the influence of such high-profile inmates through total isolation and strict discipline.
For those planning to explore the rich history of federal penology and the preservation of historic landmarks, researching the structural and systemic changes of the American justice system remains an essential pursuit. To truly understand the realities of early 20th-century criminal reform, a physical visit to the preserved halls of Alcatraz Island offers an unparalleled educational experience.
