Alcatraz was a maximum security federal prison found on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. It was a U. S. Army fort since the 1850s, and then was converted into a U.S. Army Military Prison. The United States Department of Justice acquire the the island and turned it into a prison. It was modernized and security was increased and prisoners began arriving in August 1934. Alcatraz was considered unescapable because the island was surrounded by cold water and strong currents of San Fransisco Bay. It was intended for prisoners who continuously caused trouble at other federal prisons - a "last resort prison." It housed the worst of the worst who had no hope for rehabilitation. Even back in the 1930s, Alcatraz had many believe that it shouldn't exist. Prisoners believed it to have the worst living conditions. Many committed suicide; some developed psychological disorders.  Some reform came in the 1950s, with prisoners getting more privileges, such as movies, musical instrumen...