What Alcatraz Is Not

Alcatraz is not haunted by tortured spirits nor crisscrossed with subterranean caverns. It never got used as a terrorist base, nor were there only men living on it. The children who lived there grew up untraumatized and were never held hostage. We don't have any fast food for sale at the Rock now, and all the really kitschy souvenirs are sold on the San Francisco side.

The majority of Alcatraz prisoners were not murderers, and no one was ever executed on Alcatraz. Strangely, none of the wardens were ever known for their sadistic nature.

The rock is hardly barren now or devoid of life: gulls wheel and cry and fish and nest, eucalyptus trees cast their shade and scent above terraced flower gardens.

Alcatraz did not serve only as a prison, but if you want to find out what it really is, why don't you come and see for yourself?