In June 1962, three inmates pulled off the most daring prison break in U.S. history. Alcatraz, the infamous island prison once deemed “escape-proof,” became the stage for a mystery that still haunts America. Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin vanished into the icy waters of San Francisco Bay—and were never seen again.
The Ingenious Plan
Frank Morris was no ordinary prisoner. Known for his sharp mind and history of escapes, he teamed up with the Anglin brothers, expert swimmers who had grown up braving strong Florida currents. Over months, the trio chipped away at the concrete walls of their cells using sharpened spoons and makeshift drills.
They cleverly masked the noise with music and hid their progress with painted cardboard. Behind their cells, they built a secret workshop. From prison raincoats, they stitched together life vests and even a raft. And in their beds, they left dummy heads—crafted from soap, plaster, and real hair—that fooled guards during night checks.
The Escape Night
On June 11, 1962, the men slipped through their widened vents, climbed a utility shaft, and made it to the roof. From there, they crossed the prison yard, launched their raincoat raft, and disappeared into the dark waters of the bay. By morning, guards were stunned: three empty cells, three fake heads, and no trace of the inmates.
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