More Alcatraz...

There was a simple system to make sure no cooking knives went missing: outlines of knives on a magnetic board. Apparently the food was the best in the federal system. At the end of each meal, utensils were laid on the table to be counted to ensure none were stolen, although it must not have been a perfect system as some inmates did manage to tunnel out of their cells.

The Model Industries Building was originally built by the US military to do laundry, but was abandoned in 1939 after a smaller building was built further from the risky hillside.

The New Model Industries Building was built in 1939 containing factories where prisoners could work for money to be received when they left Alcatraz making items such as gloves and army uniforms.

Due to rising costs and deteriorating facilities, Alcatraz closed in 1963. We were lucky to get to see a large format photography exhibit called Alcatraz: The Last Day that captured the intensity and emotion as the prison closed and the last remaining prisoners were escorted away. It also showed some photos of the children that lived on the island—what a strange life that must have been for them.