Location: Alcatraz Island, Calif. Considered escape-proof when it was built, the long abandoned federal prison sits on a rocky island in the middle of San Francisco Bay.
Ambiance: The Federal Bureau of Prisons opened Alcatraz in 1934 as a place to house escape-prone prisoners who'd otherwise be disruptive elements within other facilities. Alcatraz became known as "The Rock."
Famous Guests: Gangster Al Capone and sociopath Robert "The Birdman" Stroud were two of Alcatraz's most notorious inmates.
Activities: Well-behaved prisoners could do factory work to keep busy, perform in a prison band (Capone played banjo!), and enjoy a library of 15,000 books. On weekends, good inmates were allowed to enjoy the outdoor recreation yard, which offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay and the city.
Staff: In its heyday, Alcatraz housed 300 prisoners and had about 100 workers.
