The three inmates who attempted to escape were Frank Morris, 36, Clarence Anglin, 31, and John Anglin, 32. Morris, a seasoned bank robber, was the mastermind behind the escape plan. Born in Washington, D.C., Morris had a troubled childhood and was shuffled between foster homes and juvenile detention centers. He eventually ended up in federal prison, where he developed a reputation as a skilled escape artist.
Once on the outside, the trio inflated a homemade raft made of over 50 stolen raincoats and set off into the San Francisco Bay. The currents were strong, and the water was chilly, but the inmates had prepared for this moment. They had fashioned paddles from stolen wooden planks and were dressed in stolen prison clothes and life jackets. escape+from+alcatraz+19791979
Over the years, numerous theories have emerged about the escapees' fates. Some believe that Morris and the Anglin brothers made it to the mainland and assumed new identities. Others speculate that they were swept out to sea and drowned. Some even think that they may have been aided by accomplices on the outside. The three inmates who attempted to escape were
On the evening of June 11, 1979, the three inmates put their plan into action. They climbed up to the roof of their cells and entered the ventilation system. From there, they made their way to the northern edge of the prison, where they had previously cut through the wire mesh. He eventually ended up in federal prison, where
The letter sparked renewed interest in the case and fueled speculation about the escapees' fates. However, the FBI has not officially confirmed the authenticity of the letter.
In 2013, a letter allegedly written by John Anglin was sent to the FBI, claiming that all three inmates had survived the escape and were still alive. The letter, which many experts believe to be authentic, reads in part: "I am writing to you about my and my brothers escape from Alcatraz. I'm not writing to hurt or brag, just to let you know we made it."