Escape from Alcatraz: Frank Morris and the Anglins

June 11th, 1962

June 11th, 1962

Escape from Alcatraz: Frank Morris and the Anglins
How Long Ago?

62 years, 9 months, 4 days ago

Location

Alcatraz Island, California, USA

Category

Crime & Law

People
  • Frank Morris
  • John Anglin
  • Clarence Anglin
Links & References
Tags

Escape from Alcatraz: Frank Morris and the Anglins

Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin allegedly executed a daring escape from Alcatraz Island. Using improvised tools, they created makeshift rafts and masks to hide their identities. The prisoners disappeared from their cells during the night, and their absence was discovered the following morning. Despite a massive search, they were never found, leading to speculation about their fate.

Prisoners used makeshift tools for the escape

Dummies were placed in beds to deceive guards

Extensive search followed their disappearance

Their fate remains a mystery

What Happened?

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.

Why Does it Matter?

The escape from Alcatraz remains one of the most famous prison breaks in American history. It highlighted the security flaws and challenges of maintaining order in maximum-security facilities. The story of Morris and the Anglins has entered popular culture, representing freedom and the human spirit's relentless pursuit of liberation. The mystery surrounding their fate also adds to the enduring allure of the Alcatraz narrative, crafting a legend that continues to spawn interest and inquiry.

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