Frank Morris, along with brothers John and Clarence Anglin, is believed to have escaped from the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary on June 11, 1962. They meticulously planned the escape over several months, using items they could find within the prison, such as spoons and a homemade drill, to chip away at the walls of their cells. They also built rafts from raincoats, allowing them to navigate the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz, known for its high security and isolation, housed some of the nation's most dangerous criminals, making this escape particularly noteworthy.

The trio's elaborate escape plan involved creating dummy heads to place in their beds, fooling the guards during the night. The escape was eventually discovered the next morning, but by then, Morris and the Anglin brothers had already vanished. Despite extensive searches by the Coast Guard and federal agencies, no trace of the men was ever confirmed. Various authorities speculated on the likelihood of their survival in the treacherous waters and weather conditions of the Bay.

The incident captured public imagination and inspired numerous cultural representations, including books, films, and documentaries. The escape became a symbol of the desperate attempts of inmates to regain freedom, emphasizing the lengths to which prisoners would go to escape captivity. Over the years, theories surrounding their survival and the escape's true circumstances have continued to intrigue and puzzle historians and hobbyists alike.