Alcatraz began in 1850 as a military prison. It later became a federal prison. Then, after 30 years, it was closed. Then, for a time, the Indians used the island. Alcatraz was used to house criminals who caused problems in other prisons. The island was located off the coast of California. The island has had many uses over a period of 122 years. Alcatraz was first used as a military prison. They used it as a military prison from 1850 to 1934. In 1934, it was converted into a federal prison. The counter-military were the first inmates of the prison. Then, after about 30 years of use as a federal prison, Alcatraz was closed due to deterioration and cost. The next inhabitants of the island were the Indians. Aboard the Monte Cristo, a charter boat, the Indians leave for Alcatraz led by Richard Oakes, a Mohawk Indian; they did this to symbolically claim the island for themselves. The first occupation lasted from November 20, 1969 to June 11, 1971, there were also two other occupations. One of the last occupations was to open a college on Alcatraz, but the government advised the Indians to leave the island. (Johnson) The men who went to Alcatraz were sent there for bad behavior in other penitentiaries. No man was sent directly to Alcatraz. They were sent there for bad behavior in other prisons. The men had usually also attempted to escape from their old prison. The inmate arrived at the prison in chains, put in a train car, and shipped to San Francisco. Once there without leaving the car; the wagon was on a ship and delivered to Alcatraz. When they got out of the cars, they walked around the island and entered the reformatory. If the men ever became violent, they would be sent to the treatment unit, or taken...... middle of paper ...... The Rock. NIC, UNICOR. Internet. January 23, 2014. “Living on the Rock” Alcatraz 101.Web. January 24, 2014. “Medical Attention” Alcatraz 101.Web. January 24, 2014. “Rules and Regulations” History of Alcatraz. Ocean View Publishing Company. Internet. January 23, 2014. “Lonely Confinement” Alcatraz 101.Web. January 24, 2014. “Opening of the penitentiary” Alcatraz 101.Web. January 23, 2014. “Alcatraz USP Cell Diagram” Alcatraz History Ocean View Publishing Company. Internet. January 23, 2014. “Welcome to the Rock” Alcatraz 101. Web. January 24 2014.