9. Like most federal prisons, a day in the life of an Alcatraz inmate was a long way from a walk in the park
Throughout its lifespan as a federal prison, Alcatraz held a total of 1,576 unique prisoners. In line with the stated purpose of Alcatraz as an institution, these individuals endured a rigorous daily routine specifically designed to dehumanize, break down, and reform the disruptive prisoners so that they could rejoin and continue their sentences at other federal facilities. Upon arrival, inmates were provided with a copy of “the Rules and Regulations for the Government and Discipline of the United States Penal and Correctional Institutions”, informing them that they were entitled to food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention, but that everything else was a privilege to be earned.
Woken at 0630, with breakfast at 0650, inmates would subsequently tidy their cells until 0730. Reporting to work, for those permitted the privilege of leaving their cells, those likewise behaving might be allowed to smoke during their labors. Lunch was served at 1120, followed by a half-hour rest, before continuing work until 1615. Dinner would be served at 1625, before prisoners retired to their cells at 1650 for the remainder of the day. Lights were turned off at 2130. Failure to maintain cleanliness, to adhere to the rules explicitly, or even whistling, would see one lose his privileges and condemned to spend days at a time within the tiny confinement of his cell.