Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Frank Morris lay awake on his stiffprison cot, running through the plan in
his head for the hundredth time.He glanced around the tiny, dark cell
that had been his only world forthe past three years. Here at Alcatraz.
The isolation was maddening, like beingburied alive, but if all went
well tonight, freedom awaited on theother side of that ventilation duct he'd spent
(00:21):
months slowly widening with a spoon handleand homemade drill. His heart pounded,
making it impossible to find sleep eventhough it was past midnight. So much
meticulous work had led up to thismoment, years of watching, learning the
Guard's routines and weaknesses, first befriendingAlan West and the England Brothers, then
(00:42):
cautiously sharing his escape ideas once hesensed they were just as determined as he
was to beat the system, chucklingsoftly at the skepticism he initially faced,
even from them, when he declaredhis plans to bust out of America's most
secure correctional facility impossible at first,no one escapes the rock, but Frank's
(01:03):
mind didn't understand impossible. It gravitatedtoward puzzles, technical challenges, finding unexpected
solutions now here, they were readyto test what so many had deemed not
only improbable, but beyond even imagining. Frank's pulse raced as he envisioned each
next step, waited for the lasteleven thirty PM bedcheck to pass. Changed
(01:23):
into civilian clothing they'd crafted weeks agoto blend into the outside world, gathered
their makeshift life preserver vests and rubberraft slipped through holes chiseled over two years
time behind their cells ventilation grates.When the overnight guard shift hit, rode
the rickety service elevator shaft up tothe roof exits without detection. Then the
most dangerous leg, navigating their inflatablerafts three hundred yards across the dark,
(01:48):
frigid bay waters to the mainland shore. Frank played out contingency plans in his
mind should they hit snags, buthe knew the ever confident Alan west Well.
Alan always quoted the rule of onehundred from his past life of crime
on the streets. If there area hundred ways a man can avoid trouble,
he will find them. There maynot always be a hundred options for
(02:10):
getting out of Alcatraz tonight, butI trust will find them if we need
them. Frank muttered under his breath, willing himself to try getting a little
rest while the night was still outsidethe escape window he deemed safest. He
closed his eyes, the exhilaration andgravity of what dawn could bring washing over
him, like the cool bay tideslapping against the island's rocks below. If
(02:30):
only those rising sun rays greeted themas free men, he thought, what
impossible dreams might finally be realized bydaybreak. His wandering mind danced behind closed
eyes for a while before eventually driftingoff. The next conscious sight Frank took
in hours later, though, wasnot golden dawn light, but an Alcatraz
(02:53):
guard's smirking face, stirring him awakewith the blunt end of a billy club.
Rise and shine, Morris, timeto put your escape dreams to bed
forever on your feet, Morris,the guard bellowed, yanking Frank up by
his collar. Warden wants a word. Frank's mind raced as he was shoved
down the cell block. Had theirplan already been discovered somehow, But they'd
(03:15):
been so careful, so meticulous.He was surprised when he was pushed into
not the warden's office, but anempty visitation room. A moment later,
the warden himself strode in, pacingslowly with hands clasped behind his back.
Assessing Frank, sit, the wardenordered. As Frank lowered into the chair.
The Warden's voice turned oddly casual,conversational. Even you know why I
(03:38):
do the rounds myself each night,Morris. I check in on men like
you, the problematic cases, andI ask one simple question. Do you
have escape on your mind tonight?He raised his eyebrows at Frank. So
what say you escape on that mindof yours tonight? Frank felt his jaw
tightened, but kept his voice neutral. No, sir, just doing my
(03:59):
time, keeping my head down likeeveryone else. The warden nodded slowly.
Well, let's you and I takea walk just to clear our heads.
Enjoy this fine morning bay view,shall we. Frank had no choice but
to comply, pulse racing at whatwaited back in his cell if they came
across it in its present state.Frank walked casually alongside the warden, every
sense on high alert as they tracedthe long, zigzagging cell block passages,
(04:24):
footsteps echoing eerily at this early hour. He fought to keep his breath even
and face him passive each turn theytook, especially as they approached his row,
but the warden passed it by withouta glance. Frank let out his
breath ever so slightly as they climbedthe metal grated stairs toward the rooftop recreation
area, instead stepping into the briskopen air that hit Frank's face unexpectedly transported
(04:48):
his mind toward freedom. In theawakening dawn light, he could make out
the twinkling San Francisco skyline in thedistance, so impossibly close and yet still
out of reach unless tonight went flawless. Distracted momentarily by the view, Frank
jolted when he heard a sudden crybelow near the waterline fences. Glancing over,
(05:08):
he saw a guard waving frantically upat them, pointing repeatedly to the
rear side building corner closest to frankcelrow. Even from a distance, he
detected the guard mouthing there's a hole, before the warden abruptly cut him off
with a sharp wave of his hand. Frank's breath caught in his chest.
There was no recovering from whatever awaitedbelow, his fate would land solely in
(05:30):
the Warden's hands. Now meeting Frank'sgaze, the warden gave a slow,
subtle nod, as if confirming hisunspoken realization it was time to face the
music. The escape was both discoveredand doomed. Like I said, let's
clear our heads before heading back down, shall we? Morris? With a
firm hand on Frank's shoulder, thewarden angled them both back towards soaking in
(05:51):
the open bay view. Frank notedthe irony this vista of elusive freedom would
likely be his last for decades.To Frank sat rigid in the Warden's office
awaiting his verdict. His mind reeledtrying to determine exactly how much their intricate
plot had been unearthed once morning staffuncovered the wide open ventilation grates and hidden
(06:13):
clothing stash in the rear corner cell. Given no constraints, he calculated at
least another eight years would be slappedonto his sentence for such an audacious,
yet doomed from the start try.The warden had mocked solitary confinement until he
was an old, broken man wasdoubtless coming. So Frank was shocked when
instead the warden passed a sentence ofjust two weeks of basement isolation, plus
(06:39):
the humiliating routine of multiple daily clothingand cell checks going forward. Consider yourself
extremely lucky. Morris, the wardenhad warned, Fortune truly does favor the
bold in your case, though you'llnever get this close to Alcatraz's doors again.
Frank emerged two weeks later, headedback to breakfast duty in the guard's
kitchen. As he prepped trays,his eye caught a newspaper discarded on the
(07:02):
counter, emblazoned with the headline FederalPenitentiaries under review. Skimming the article,
he learned California's high profile prisons wereslated for increasing criticism and security overhauls.
Soon, his pulse quickened as wheelsturned rapidly. With increased scrutiny imminent.
The warden had seemingly done him aquiet favor, covering up the worst of
(07:24):
the foiled plot to save himself theembarrassment of such a breach under his watch,
which meant if Frank could somehow reconstructan alternate escape plan faster than security
revamps could be implemented, the warden'sconfidence of his permanent entrapment could still be
sabotaged. Walking calmly to deposit abatch of cook trays onto the dolly,
(07:46):
Frank's eyes drifted to meet those ofAllen, peering through the serving hatch,
where a knowing look passed between them, suggesting the escape's resurrection was silently under
way. Over the next ten months, Frank and Allen strategized tireless and hushed
conversations over laundry duties, scrutinizing potentialweaknesses in the routine and layout that the
increased daily scrutiny had introduced. Obsessiveplanning was Allen's specialty. We stick to
(08:11):
failure, testing each and every detailfirst. When we do finally move,
hitting problems is not an option,he instructed. By late May nineteen sixty
two, a new plan emerged,riskier given their housing relocation since last year's
failed attempt, but the security overhaulshad also created new possibilities. A blind
spot exit point via ventilation ducks inthe workshop space below their cell block eleven
(08:37):
thirty PM was still determined most idealto navigate officers, shift changes, rafts
and dummy heads crafted more carefully,this time from stolen raincoats and hair from
the barbershop floor. On June tenth, cloud cover made for ideal darkness.
At eleven fifteen pm, Sharp Frankfinished drilling his way through to Allen's neighboring
cell, then into the vacant one. Adjoined next time to stage their materials.
(09:01):
Eleven twenty five brought the guard's lastpass down the row. Frank,
Allan and John Anglin synchronized removing theirventilation grates simultaneously as Allan ignited decoy flares
under the workshop sink two levels below, creating just enough distraction to slip down
their poles through the ceiling undetected.Eleven thirty four and they stood fully dressed
(09:22):
in makeshift raincoats and floater vests onthe rocky outcropping, chilling their hands fast
as they worked to assemble and inflatetheir raft quietly. The longest, most
vulnerable stretch lay moments ahead, navigatingblack, freezing baywaters, stay hidden long
enough to utilize tidal current momentum topropel them the three hundred yards toward freedom.
(09:43):
Under deep fog cover, Frank surveyedthe barely perceptible shoreline in the distance
one last time from Alcatraz's barren perch. The odds and conditions were stacked against
them. Without mercy, but withfailure, not an option. Fortune had
no choice but to favor Or,three of America's boldest prisoners. Tonight the
enter or to be continued
Frank Morris lay awake on his stiffprison cot, running through the plan in
his head for the hundredth time.He glanced around the tiny, dark cell
that had been his only world forthe past three years. Here at Alcatraz.
The isolation was maddening, like beingburied alive, but if all went
well tonight, freedom awaited on theother side of that ventilation duct he'd spent
(00:21):
months slowly widening with a spoon handleand homemade drill. His heart pounded,
making it impossible to find sleep eventhough it was past midnight. So much
meticulous work had led up to thismoment, years of watching, learning the
Guard's routines and weaknesses, first befriendingAlan West and the England Brothers, then
(00:42):
cautiously sharing his escape ideas once hesensed they were just as determined as he
was to beat the system, chucklingsoftly at the skepticism he initially faced,
even from them, when he declaredhis plans to bust out of America's most
secure correctional facility impossible at first,no one escapes the rock, but Frank's
(01:03):
mind didn't understand impossible. It gravitatedtoward puzzles, technical challenges, finding unexpected
solutions now here, they were readyto test what so many had deemed not
only improbable, but beyond even imagining. Frank's pulse raced as he envisioned each
next step, waited for the lasteleven thirty PM bedcheck to pass. Changed
(01:23):
into civilian clothing they'd crafted weeks agoto blend into the outside world, gathered
their makeshift life preserver vests and rubberraft slipped through holes chiseled over two years
time behind their cells ventilation grates.When the overnight guard shift hit, rode
the rickety service elevator shaft up tothe roof exits without detection. Then the
most dangerous leg, navigating their inflatablerafts three hundred yards across the dark,
(01:48):
frigid bay waters to the mainland shore. Frank played out contingency plans in his
mind should they hit snags, buthe knew the ever confident Alan west Well.
Alan always quoted the rule of onehundred from his past life of crime
on the streets. If there area hundred ways a man can avoid trouble,
he will find them. There maynot always be a hundred options for
(02:10):
getting out of Alcatraz tonight, butI trust will find them if we need
them. Frank muttered under his breath, willing himself to try getting a little
rest while the night was still outsidethe escape window he deemed safest. He
closed his eyes, the exhilaration andgravity of what dawn could bring washing over
him, like the cool bay tideslapping against the island's rocks below. If
(02:30):
only those rising sun rays greeted themas free men, he thought, what
impossible dreams might finally be realized bydaybreak. His wandering mind danced behind closed
eyes for a while before eventually driftingoff. The next conscious sight Frank took
in hours later, though, wasnot golden dawn light, but an Alcatraz
(02:53):
guard's smirking face, stirring him awakewith the blunt end of a billy club.
Rise and shine, Morris, timeto put your escape dreams to bed
forever on your feet, Morris,the guard bellowed, yanking Frank up by
his collar. Warden wants a word. Frank's mind raced as he was shoved
down the cell block. Had theirplan already been discovered somehow, But they'd
(03:15):
been so careful, so meticulous.He was surprised when he was pushed into
not the warden's office, but anempty visitation room. A moment later,
the warden himself strode in, pacingslowly with hands clasped behind his back.
Assessing Frank, sit, the wardenordered. As Frank lowered into the chair.
The Warden's voice turned oddly casual,conversational. Even you know why I
(03:38):
do the rounds myself each night,Morris. I check in on men like
you, the problematic cases, andI ask one simple question. Do you
have escape on your mind tonight?He raised his eyebrows at Frank. So
what say you escape on that mindof yours tonight? Frank felt his jaw
tightened, but kept his voice neutral. No, sir, just doing my
(03:59):
time, keeping my head down likeeveryone else. The warden nodded slowly.
Well, let's you and I takea walk just to clear our heads.
Enjoy this fine morning bay view,shall we. Frank had no choice but
to comply, pulse racing at whatwaited back in his cell if they came
across it in its present state.Frank walked casually alongside the warden, every
sense on high alert as they tracedthe long, zigzagging cell block passages,
(04:24):
footsteps echoing eerily at this early hour. He fought to keep his breath even
and face him passive each turn theytook, especially as they approached his row,
but the warden passed it by withouta glance. Frank let out his
breath ever so slightly as they climbedthe metal grated stairs toward the rooftop recreation
area, instead stepping into the briskopen air that hit Frank's face unexpectedly transported
(04:48):
his mind toward freedom. In theawakening dawn light, he could make out
the twinkling San Francisco skyline in thedistance, so impossibly close and yet still
out of reach unless tonight went flawless. Distracted momentarily by the view, Frank
jolted when he heard a sudden crybelow near the waterline fences. Glancing over,
(05:08):
he saw a guard waving frantically upat them, pointing repeatedly to the
rear side building corner closest to frankcelrow. Even from a distance, he
detected the guard mouthing there's a hole, before the warden abruptly cut him off
with a sharp wave of his hand. Frank's breath caught in his chest.
There was no recovering from whatever awaitedbelow, his fate would land solely in
(05:30):
the Warden's hands. Now meeting Frank'sgaze, the warden gave a slow,
subtle nod, as if confirming hisunspoken realization it was time to face the
music. The escape was both discoveredand doomed. Like I said, let's
clear our heads before heading back down, shall we? Morris? With a
firm hand on Frank's shoulder, thewarden angled them both back towards soaking in
(05:51):
the open bay view. Frank notedthe irony this vista of elusive freedom would
likely be his last for decades.To Frank sat rigid in the Warden's office
awaiting his verdict. His mind reeledtrying to determine exactly how much their intricate
plot had been unearthed once morning staffuncovered the wide open ventilation grates and hidden
(06:13):
clothing stash in the rear corner cell. Given no constraints, he calculated at
least another eight years would be slappedonto his sentence for such an audacious,
yet doomed from the start try.The warden had mocked solitary confinement until he
was an old, broken man wasdoubtless coming. So Frank was shocked when
instead the warden passed a sentence ofjust two weeks of basement isolation, plus
(06:39):
the humiliating routine of multiple daily clothingand cell checks going forward. Consider yourself
extremely lucky. Morris, the wardenhad warned, Fortune truly does favor the
bold in your case, though you'llnever get this close to Alcatraz's doors again.
Frank emerged two weeks later, headedback to breakfast duty in the guard's
kitchen. As he prepped trays,his eye caught a newspaper discarded on the
(07:02):
counter, emblazoned with the headline FederalPenitentiaries under review. Skimming the article,
he learned California's high profile prisons wereslated for increasing criticism and security overhauls.
Soon, his pulse quickened as wheelsturned rapidly. With increased scrutiny imminent.
The warden had seemingly done him aquiet favor, covering up the worst of
(07:24):
the foiled plot to save himself theembarrassment of such a breach under his watch,
which meant if Frank could somehow reconstructan alternate escape plan faster than security
revamps could be implemented, the warden'sconfidence of his permanent entrapment could still be
sabotaged. Walking calmly to deposit abatch of cook trays onto the dolly,
(07:46):
Frank's eyes drifted to meet those ofAllen, peering through the serving hatch,
where a knowing look passed between them, suggesting the escape's resurrection was silently under
way. Over the next ten months, Frank and Allen strategized tireless and hushed
conversations over laundry duties, scrutinizing potentialweaknesses in the routine and layout that the
increased daily scrutiny had introduced. Obsessiveplanning was Allen's specialty. We stick to
(08:11):
failure, testing each and every detailfirst. When we do finally move,
hitting problems is not an option,he instructed. By late May nineteen sixty
two, a new plan emerged,riskier given their housing relocation since last year's
failed attempt, but the security overhaulshad also created new possibilities. A blind
spot exit point via ventilation ducks inthe workshop space below their cell block eleven
(08:37):
thirty PM was still determined most idealto navigate officers, shift changes, rafts
and dummy heads crafted more carefully,this time from stolen raincoats and hair from
the barbershop floor. On June tenth, cloud cover made for ideal darkness.
At eleven fifteen pm, Sharp Frankfinished drilling his way through to Allen's neighboring
cell, then into the vacant one. Adjoined next time to stage their materials.
(09:01):
Eleven twenty five brought the guard's lastpass down the row. Frank,
Allan and John Anglin synchronized removing theirventilation grates simultaneously as Allan ignited decoy flares
under the workshop sink two levels below, creating just enough distraction to slip down
their poles through the ceiling undetected.Eleven thirty four and they stood fully dressed
(09:22):
in makeshift raincoats and floater vests onthe rocky outcropping, chilling their hands fast
as they worked to assemble and inflatetheir raft quietly. The longest, most
vulnerable stretch lay moments ahead, navigatingblack, freezing baywaters, stay hidden long
enough to utilize tidal current momentum topropel them the three hundred yards toward freedom.
(09:43):
Under deep fog cover, Frank surveyedthe barely perceptible shoreline in the distance
one last time from Alcatraz's barren perch. The odds and conditions were stacked against
them. Without mercy, but withfailure, not an option. Fortune had
no choice but to favor Or,three of America's boldest prisoners. Tonight the
enter or to be continued
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