On March 21, 1963, Alcatraz closed. It had first been used as a jail during the American Civil War, and it became a federal penitentiary in 1934. In the ensuing years it became famous for such high-profile inmates as Al Capone. The prison also made headlines for several escape attempts. Notably, in June 1962 three inmates broke out, though it is unknown if they reached the mainland. That escape, as well as the high costs of maintaining the prison, led to Alcatraz’s closure.
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