In June 1962, three inmates — Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin — carried out one of the most well-known prison escapes in U.S. history. Held at Alcatraz, a facility widely considered impossible to escape, the men spent months preparing in secret. Using improvised tools and careful planning, they widened ventilation openings in their cells and created realistic decoys to resemble themselves during nighttime checks.
A key part of their plan involved crafting a flotation device and protective gear from repurposed raincoats. On the night of June 11, they exited their cells, accessed the prison roof, and entered San Francisco Bay. By the next morning, officials discovered the escape, finding the decoys in place and confirming the men were gone. A large investigation followed, and authorities later concluded the escapees did not survive the bay’s challenging conditions.
Despite the official conclusion, questions continued to surface over the years. Various pieces of information emerged that suggested an alternative outcome, including claims of sightings and personal correspondence attributed to one of the men decades later. These reports were reviewed by experts, but none provided definitive confirmation, leaving room for continued debate and public interest.
Further attention was drawn to the case when experiments demonstrated that a similar raft could successfully cross the bay under the right conditions. Additional analysis of historical photographs and later research added to the discussion, renewing interest in the possibility that the escape may have succeeded. Today, the Alcatraz escape remains an enduring mystery, remembered for its careful planning, persistence, and the unanswered questions that continue to capture public imagination.