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The world\u2019s most famous high-security jail, Alcatraz, evicted its last prisoner on 21st March, 1963. Met by a huge crowd of reporters who asked him what he thought of \u2018the rock\u2019, armed robber Frank Weatherman responded, \u201cAlcatraz was never no good for nobody.\u201d\nFor nearly thirty years the island prison had built a reputation as \u2018inescapable\u2019, but in 1962 three men did indeed manage to escape, and were never found, dead or alive. The costs of running the facility sealed its fate: at a cost of $10 per day per prisoner, it cost three times more to run than a typical American prison.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider the state-of-the-art security features the prison had when it opened; revisit the 1935 Christmas menu dished up in the mess hall; and review some bad-taste souvenirs offered up in the modern-day gift shop\u2026\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018Alcatraz closes its doors\u2019 (HISTORY, 2020): https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/alcatraz-closes-its-doors\n\u2022 \u2018Alcatraz Prison Was Apparently an Excellent Place to Eat\u2019 (Bon Appetit): https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/article/alcatraz-prison-food\n\u2022 \u2018Last prisoners leaving Alcatraz Island\u2019 (Universal International News, 1963): \u200b\u200bhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpP5IJeBshE\nFor bonus material and to support the show, visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices