Alcatraz is first built as a military installation in 1850 and later converted into a military prison, until 1933. Barak Punishment United States in Alcatraz was taken over by the US Department of Justice on October 12, 1933. The island became a federal prison in August 1934. The prison is intended for inmates who often create problems in other US federal prison (escape, making mischief, murder of a fellow prisoner, and so on).

During the 29 years of its use, in prison languishing famous criminals such as Al Capone big fish, Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), and Alvin Karpis, who was arrested at Alcatraz far longer than any prisoners. In the period of operation, the prison claimed none of the prisoners who escaped, though like most prisons, there are inhabitants who attempted to escape, but always failed, About 36 inmates perform 14 times the effort to get away, two people tried 2 times; 23 were caught, six were shot dead while trying, two sinks, and the remaining five are declared "lost and possibly sunk".

The prison also provide housing for staff and employees of the Bureau of Prisons and their families. Now the family members who inhabit the island and make it their home can join the Alumni Association Alumni and participate in the annual reunion to celebrate the opening of the prison at the end of the second week of August. Most members have their favorite stories that often they tell me about the experience was raised in The Rock.

By decision of the US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, a prisoner was closed for ever on March 21, 1963. The prison was closed because operating costs are much more expensive than other prisons, and the bay is polluted because of the waste of about 250 prisoners and 60 Bureau of Prisons families on the island. US prisons, a traditional prison established on land opened in the same year to replace Alcatraz.

In 1969, a group of American Indians from various tribes, which calls itself the United Indians of All Tribes (many of them were moved to the Bay Area under the government assistance program termination), occupying the island, and proposed the establishment of a center of education, environmental center and culture. According to those who possess it, in an agreement Sioux tribe, the government recognizes that all federal lands that are not used anymore should be returned to the Native peoples who once had it.

During the occupation, the number of buildings damaged or destroyed, including the recreation room, dwelling Coast Guard, and the warden's house. A number of other buildings (mostly apartments) were destroyed by the US government after the occupation ends. After the occupation for 18 months, the government is forcing them out.

The island is also known as "The Rock," (Rock) is featured in the movie 1996 movie with the same title. Dozens of films, including Escape From Alcatraz and the X-Men: The Last Stand, has been featuring Alcatraz since 1937.