The Hauntings of Alcatraz Prison

Here is one of the dark corridors in Alcatraz prison that is said to clang as if men run up and down the stairs late at night when the tourist boats have taken all the visitors back to land.

The first thing many tourist think about when they arrive outside Alcatraz prison is about what happened to the criminals that attempted to escape over four decades ago, but it was only until recently that the paranormal aspect of the visits began to overshadow the escape of 1962. There have been some recent claims of a banjo playing in the prison once all visitors have cleared out except for the night security guards. These musical notes are believed to be the doing of one of Alcatraz' most famous inmates, Al Capone, because that was what he would do to pass the time. However, nobody has provided evidence so the claims remain as just a rumor.

Many ideas about the Alcatraz also arise when movies such as, "Escape from Alcatraz," "The Rock," or "The Birdman," come into conversation, but many of the employees over at the prison say they are lies. That includes all the paranormal claims that were made in various documentaries and televisions shows about ghosts as well. Alcatraz even offers a separate ranger to guide a tour based on explaining these supposed lies and say they were merely concocted by Hollywood, regardless of some of the allegations made by the security guards in the middle of the night.

"Do I know about the paranormal activity that is said to occur here at Alcatraz , well of course I do," said Ranger John Cantwell. "I have never seen anything here myself but I have heard several people say they have a strange feeling when they walk through the prison cells, but I think a lot of it has to do with ideas people put in their heads when they watch ghost hunter shows."

When asked about the accuracy of the portrayal of Alcatraz in some of the more popular movies based on the prison regarding torture, the rangers denied them as well.

"Movies don't lie, right?" said Ranger Al Blair, the guide for the Hollywood tour. "I mean, if Sean Connery escaped from Alcatraz and Hollywood tells us the criminals should have successfully escaped, that's the way it really goes apparently."

In order to arrive to Alcatraz Prison, tourist and employees have to take the same route on a ferry boat that the former prisoners took before they were locked away.  This leaves many tourists with the feelings of a combination of sympathy and tranquility because the sight on board is a beautiful, yet sad one. 

"It makes you feel really sad because it's such a nice view but then you hear about the torture that took place here and it's kind of difficult to believe there aren't any spirits lingering here," said Erik Gutierrez, a visiting tourist on Spring break. "I mean, that's a big reason I came here today. I want to see what this fuss about spirits and ghostly banjo music is because its been reported on the TV."

Several paranormal investigators, psychics and mediums have tested the receptivity of Alcatraz and it is often reported by visitors that the feeling of anger and frustration is leaked into the walls. 

"Many people come here claiming they can feel the thoughts of the prisoners when they were locked up, " said Cantwell. "I can't say I feel the same but at least people walk away with a ghost story to tell when they get home."

This vault is located near the visitation center and warden's office, which was where the prisoners used to go when they misbehaved. Two officers were murdered at this location and paranormal activity has been reported here since 1976, which is a full 30 years after the murders took place.

Here is one of the rooms where the infamous Alcatraz prisoners escaped back in 1962. The rangers at Alcatraz assured guests that the men never made their escape to Angel Island alive and it was only in the movies.