Dan Snow's History Hit A History of Escaping from Alcatraz Prison
Nov 22, 2024
Jolene Babyak, a historian and author who lived on Alcatraz during the infamous 1962 escape, shares captivating stories about life on the island and the daring jailbreak. She delves into the intricacies of the escape plan hatched by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, and how they managed to vanish into the San Francisco Bay. Jolene also reflects on the notorious inmates like Al Capone and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly, and the historical evolution of Alcatraz from a military fort to America’s most notorious federal prison.
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Growing Up on Alcatraz
- Jolene Babyak grew up on Alcatraz Island, where her father worked.
- She describes it as similar to a military base, with restricted areas and a focus on security.
A Prisoner's Kindness
- Babyak recalls a minor interaction with a prisoner at age eight.
- A prisoner gave her a handball through the fence, creating a dilemma between politeness and the rule against talking to prisoners.
The 1962 Escape
- During the 1962 escape attempt, Babyak's father was acting warden.
- She describes the family's role in searching the house and the stress related to the escape.
