10. Reunion at Alcatraz
The Anglin brothers tried several times to escape from the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, but all of their tries were unsuccessful. Frank Morris, however, was transferred to the Louisiana Federal Penitentiary, from which he pulled off a successful escape. When he was caught, he was sent to Alcatraz to serve a 10-year term. The Anglin brothers soon arrived, serving terms of 15 to 20 years. John arrived first, and Clarence came three months later. The lengthy prison sentences probably served as an impetus for their escape. They didn’t have anything to lose and were prepared to get out early, though not for good behavior.
A man named Allen West had arrived at Alcatraz three years before Frank Morris; in 1957, he was sent there after attempting (unsuccessfully) to escape from the Florida State Prison. He was there for car theft, having first served time (you guessed it!) Atlanta State Penitentiary before being transferred. He had been arrested nearly two dozen times throughout his life and, like the Anglin brothers and Frank Morris, was considered to be a career criminal. He would not be a part of the actual escape but would be critical in orchestrating it. His name has also gone down in infamy.