Brings to life the stories of legendary 'public enemies' for whom America's first supermax prison was created. This book contains answers to questions that have swirled about the prison: How did prisoners cope psychologically with the harsh regime? and What provoked the protests and strikes?

"Ward has collected the most impressive documentation anywhere on the workings of a prison. A unique and wonderful work of sociology and history."--Howard Becker, author of "Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance" and "Art Worlds"
"This groundbreaking history of the country's most notorious prison is the first to give an in-depth analysis of the interaction between the guards and the prisoners. Ward captures the Alcatraz experience with the accuracy of someone who has practically been there and lays to rest many of the myths that have grown up around the prison. No longer will the story-tellers be able to describe the inmates as 'the worst of the worst' without qualification. Their individual stories come alive as the author records the varied life experiences that brought them to Alcatraz and describes their coping mechanisms. A unique and fascinating study."--Morton Sobell, Alcatraz Inmate #AZ699 1950-1963, author of "On Doing Time"