list of Alcatraz escape attempts

During its operation as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, there were a total of 14 escape attempts made by 34 prisoners, to escape Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Two men tried twice, making for a total of 36 individual escape attempts; fifteen were caught, eight gave up, six were shot and killed, two were drowned, and five were unaccounted for, though presumed drowned. Faced with high maintenance costs and a poor reputation, Alcatraz closed on March 21, 1963.