Top 5 - Alcatraz Inmates

Alcatraz is a former Prision island situated in the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz closed down as a prision in 1963, it is now open to the public as a tourist attraction, where you can tour around the infamous prision. In its time Alcatraz has several notable inmates, including Al Capone, and Mickey Cohen.

Time to lock your doors as we look a 5 Alcatraz Inmates.

5. George "Machine Gun Kelly" Barnes

George Kelly Barnes (Inmate #117) was born in 1895, George kidnapped an oil tycoon and earned himself 17 years in Alcatraz. During his time there (1934-1951), he kept to himself, became a model inmate and regretted his crimes. In 1951 he was transferred to another jail, dying there of a heart attack in 1954.

4. Clarence "The Choctaw Kid" Carnes

Clarence Carnes (Inmate #714) was born in 1927, he was sentenced to life at the age of 16 for the murder of a garage attendant, in 1945 he escaped from his previous prision and was sentenced to another 99 years for a kidnapping while on the run. He arrived on Alcatraz that year and in 1946 he and several other inmates took part in the 'Battle of Alcatraz' where 5 people died. Clarence then was sentenced to serve another 99 years at Alcatraz. He remained there until the prisons closure in 1963, where he then was transferred to another prision, despite his many years left to serve on his sentence, Clarence was granted parole in 1973. Clarence of course did not stick to his parole conditions and was incarcerated again until his death of AIDS in 1988.

3. Roy "King of the Escape Artists" Gardner

Roy Gardner (Inmate #110) was born in 1884, in 1934 he was transferred to Alcatraz for a series of robberies and attempted escapes from other prison's. Roy was one of Alcatraz's hardest inmates and served time alongside Al Capone, he was granted parole in 1938. In 1940 he committed Suicide by Cyanide in a hotel room.

2. Sam "Crazy Sam" Shockley

Samuel Richard Shockley (Inmate #462) was born in 1909. He was transferred to Alcatraz in 1938, he took part in the 'Battle of Alcatraz' where he was directly involved in the murders of 5 people. For this he was sentenced to death in the Gas Chamber in 1946, and was executed in 1948. He was 39.

1.Robert "The Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud

Robert Stroud (Inmate #594), ended up in Alcatraz in 1942 to serve a 17 year sentence for Murder. At Alcatraz Robert was watched closely due to his homosexual actions, he spent most of the time in the library studying Law. In 1959 his health rapidly declined and he died in 1963.