Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was a maximum-security prison located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, California. It operated from 1934 to 1963 and housed some of the most notorious criminals in American history, including Al Capone and Robert Stroud, known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz." The prison was designed to be inescapable due to its isolated location and strong security measures. The facility was closed in 1963 due to high operational costs and deteriorating conditions. Today, Alcatraz is a popular tourist attraction, offering guided tours that provide insight into its history and the lives of its infamous inmates.