the famous alcatraz prison opened in august 1934 and closed on 21 march 1963. at first, the island served as a war prison for confederate soldiers during the civil war. at the turn of the century, it would become the most famous and posthumously, most infamous prison in american history. some of the most famous inmates at alcatraz included al capone, machine gun kelly and john giles. the prison was eventually shut down in 1963 after the state of california and the us congress agreed that it costs too much to run. soon after, native american indians used the prison and the island for a huge protest in favor for native american rights. after being kicked out from the grounds, the prison was vacated and was never used again.