The Miwok Indians thought evil spirits inhabited this island and never set foot here until 1859, when they arrived in shackles as the island's first prisoners. Psychics have said it has over 100 ghosts!
By Aug. 27, 1861, Alcatraz was designated as the official military prison for the entire Department of the Pacific. Living conditions were grim. Men slept side-by-side, head-to-toe, lying on the stone floors. There was no running water or heat in the cells, sanitary facilities were almost non-existent, and disease was rampant.
In March 1963, the prison was closed but the ghost of the inmates remained. From 1963 to 1969, the prison was unoccupied. Whoever, or whatever, still lurks on Alcatraz can be heard, seen and felt and those who travel there in search of a haunting are rarely disappointed The most haunted area is D cell block, or the solitary confinement wing. Many refuse to go there alone and it is said to be intensely cold in certain cells. Cell 14-D feels ice cold, even in the middle of summer, and some visitors have been overcome by emotion. In cell 11, 12, 13 visitors can hear voices and the sound of a banjo playing. It has been confirmed that Al Capone frequenly played the instrument.
Cell Block D, The most haunted section
In cell block B and the citadel area near cell block A, you can hear clanging sounds, screams and crying. In cell block C, Abie Maldowitz, a mob hit man named Butcher, was killed by another prisoner. His angry soul still roams the area.
