The Impossible Prison Break - Alcatraz Escape

FBI officers were stunned. Even if a prisoner was left completely unguarded inside this prison, there was no way to escape. So how had three inmates slipped out right under the nose of the authorities—and not just that, but it took 10 hours for anyone to even realize they were missing?

Not only the FBI, but three top-level federal agencies also deployed their best minds, but the mystery of this escape only deepened. What happened on that island in the Pacific Ocean would become one of the most famous prison breaks in world history.

Welcome back, dear viewers. Located in the Pacific Ocean, this tiny island covers just 22 acres, but it once held some of the most dangerous criminals in America. Built on a massive rock in the sea, it earned the nickname: "The Rock".

The island was naturally surrounded by turbulent waters and high winds. On top of that, 15-foot-high fences, 24/7 surveillance, and federal-level security made Alcatraz inescapable. In 1934, it was declared a federal prison for the most uncontainable criminals.

But on June 12, 1962, this so-called fortress was breached.

The Prisoners Who Escaped "The Inescapable"

The key players in this escape were:

• John and Clarence Anglin, brothers imprisoned for bank robbery
• Frank Morris, a highly intelligent repeat offender who had been in and out of prisons since age 13
• Allen West, also a career criminal who had attempted several previous escapes and knew Alcatraz’s layout well

West had been in Alcatraz the longest and knew the structure inside out. In 1960, he first shared an idea for escape with the others. Their goal: break out from Block B, where West had identified a possible weak spot in the prison's structure.

At the time, all four inmates were in different cell blocks, but they worked over time to get themselves transferred to Block B. Once there, the real plan began—and it went unnoticed for two years.

The Great Escape Night

On the morning of June 12, 1962, as usual, guards went for morning headcount. To their shock, three prisoners were missing. But when they looked inside the cells, all three inmates seemed to be asleep in bed.

Something felt off. When guards entered the cells to wake them, they discovered the horrifying truth: dummy heads made of plaster, soap, and real human hair were lying on the pillows. One of them had even fallen and broken on the floor.

Panic ensued. Authorities searched the island, but there was no trace of the escapees.

Interestingly, Allen West was still inside. The original mastermind of the escape, he had failed to get out of his vent in time. Knowing there was no way out for him now, he told investigators everything about the plan.

The Secret Plan Unfolds

West revealed that they had been digging vent holes at the back of their cells, which measured only 5 by 9.5 inches, using kitchen spoons and homemade tools. They also crafted a drill using a vacuum cleaner motor.

All this was done secretly during music hours or loud periods when noise wouldn’t raise suspicion. Once the vents were open, they accessed a utility corridor with no security, then climbed up to the roof through drainpipes.

The men had worked in maintenance jobs on the roof before, so they knew the terrain. From the roof, they scaled the 15-foot-high fence and slipped away into the sea.

Their ultimate trick? They had constructed a raft made of 50+ rubber raincoats—provided by prison administration. They also made life vests out of the same material, stitched and sealed to keep them afloat.

Did They Survive?

According to West, the plan was to reach Angel Island, then steal clothes and a car from nearby areas. But strangely, there were no reports of theft, robbery, or missing vehicles in the region that night.

FBI and Coast Guard launched massive sea and land searches, but no bodies, no footprints, no raft were found.

Later, a makeshift paddle, believed to be from the raft, was found. Also, two waterproof bags made of raincoats surfaced—containing personal items like family photos and letters. This suggested the men may have drowned, as these were items they wouldn’t have willingly abandoned.

But strangely, no dead bodies ever washed ashore. The ocean currents made this highly unlikely. So the mystery only deepened.

Theories and Sightings

Many believed they survived and went underground.

The Anglin brothers’ nephew told the FBI that their older brother confessed on his deathbed that John and Clarence were alive and had been in contact with the family. Some relatives even claimed two mysterious women, disguised with makeup, visited the family during holidays—possibly the brothers in disguise.

In 1975, a family cousin claimed to have seen them at a club in Brazil, and even took a photo. The family believed it was really them, but U.S. Marshals dismissed it, saying it didn't match the Anglins’ profiles.

What Happened After?

The case grew cold. Alcatraz prison was shut down one year later in 1963. In 1979, the FBI officially closed the case, but the U.S. Marshals Service still keeps it open. Their file will remain active until the men are either arrested, proven dead, or turn 99 years old.

Today, Alcatraz is a national park, and tourists visit Cell Block B, where this legendary escape took place.