Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz is entirely closed on this day. 

Learn about the history of pets on Alcatraz, including the "Puppy Steps," and in other prisons today. Includes discussion of modern dog training programs in prisons and the unique relationship between some incarcerated people and pets they train and foster.

Buy your tickets via Alcatraz City Cruises. Recommended ferry rides for this program are: 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Noon, or 12:30 p.m. from Pier 33.

Special note: January 15 is one of the "Buy One, Get One 50% Off" days for California residents! 

Constance Smith has been a living historian for decades, sharing the history of the Civil War with visitors at national parks and at reenactments across the country. She volunteers at Fort Point and Alcatraz in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, has sat on the boards of several not-for-profit living history groups, and is currently the secretary for Friends of Civil War Alcatraz. Join us to hear her unique perspective and experience her demonstrations first-hand. 

This Women’s History Month, we answer the common question: “Were there any women on Alcatraz?”  

The short answer is that there were no women imprisoned here. But women’s stories are deeply connected to the island.  

From laundresses working in the military fort, to female leaders of the Native American Occupation, to formerly incarcerated women sharing their stories on the island today, women’s history is everywhere on Alcatraz. 

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket through Alcatraz City Cruises. Seating for the events is first-come-first-serve and may be limited. We recommend you purchase a ticket for a ferry at least one hour before the event starts. 

Jolene Babyak lived on Alcatraz while her father worked as an Administrator and Associate Warden. After a happy childhood on the island, she became curious about the island as an adult and began interviewing and writing about former officers and prisoners. After years of interviews and perusing documents, she has come to believe that this tiny, 22-acre prison island was a microcosm of family life -- both good and bad.

This Women’s History Month, we answer the common question: “Were there any women on Alcatraz?”

The short answer is that there were no women imprisoned here. But women’s stories are deeply connected to the island.

From laundresses working in the military fort, to female leaders of the Native American Occupation, to formerly incarcerated women sharing their stories on the island today, women’s history is everywhere on Alcatraz.

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket on the Alcatraz City Cruises website. Seating for the events is first-come-first-serve and may be limited. We recommend you purchase a ticket for a ferry about one hour before the event starts.

Come experience the Alcatraz Rose garden and see film screenings of Sol in the Garden. This documentary is about Sol Mercado's journey planting hope and growing a future. Sol, a formerly incarcerated woman, catches the sun as she nourishes a garden with her newfound community. Directed by Emily Cohen Ibañez and Débora Souza Silva. 

Screenings begin on the hour and the half hour. Film duration: 20 minutes

We recommend taking the following boats:

• Daytime: 9:20 AM - 12:30 PM departures
• Night: 5:55 or 6:30 PM departures

See the schedule for the day-of for location updates.

This Women’s History Month, we answer the common question: “Were there any women on Alcatraz?”

The short answer is that there were no women imprisoned here. But women’s stories are deeply connected to the island.

From laundresses working in the military fort, to female leaders of the Native American Occupation, to formerly incarcerated women sharing their stories on the island today, women’s history is everywhere on Alcatraz.

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket on the Alcatraz City Cruises website. Seating for the events is first-come-first-serve and may be limited. We recommend you purchase a ticket for a ferry about one hour before the event starts.

Come experience the Alcatraz Rose garden and see film screenings of Sol in the Garden. This documentary is about Sol Mercado's journey planting hope and growing a future. Sol, a formerly incarcerated woman, catches the sun as she nourishes a garden with her newfound community. Directed by Emily Cohen Ibañez and Débora Souza Silva. 

Screenings begin on the hour and the half hour. Film duration: 20 minutes

We recommend taking the following boats:

• Daytime: 9:20 AM - 12:30 PM departures
• Night: 5:55 or 6:30 PM departures

See the schedule for the day-of for location updates.

This Women’s History Month, we answer the common question: “Were there any women on Alcatraz?”

The short answer is that there were no women imprisoned here. But women’s stories are deeply connected to the island.

From laundresses working in the military fort, to female leaders of the Native American Occupation, to formerly incarcerated women sharing their stories on the island today, women’s history is everywhere on Alcatraz.

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket on the Alcatraz City Cruises website. Seating for the events is first-come-first-serve and may be limited. We recommend you purchase a ticket for a ferry about one hour before the event starts.

Learn why Alcatraz closed as a federal prison, what happened next for those who lived and worked here, and how even though it closed, it became a model for subsequent Supermax prisons.

Walking tour, approximately 30 minutes. Leaves from the dock and walks up the hill to the cell house.

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket on the Alcatraz City Cruises website. We recommend the 3:15 boat at the latest.

Come experience the Alcatraz Rose garden and see film screenings of Sol in the Garden. This documentary is about Sol Mercado's journey planting hope and growing a future. Sol, a formerly incarcerated woman, catches the sun as she nourishes a garden with her newfound community. Directed by Emily Cohen Ibañez and Débora Souza Silva. 

Screenings begin on the hour and the half hour. Film duration: 20 minutes

We recommend taking the following boats:

• Daytime: 9:20 AM - 12:30 PM departures
• Night: 5:55 or 6:30 PM departures

See the schedule for the day-of for location updates.

This Women’s History Month, we answer the common question: “Were there any women on Alcatraz?”

The short answer is that there were no women imprisoned here. But women’s stories are deeply connected to the island.

From laundresses working in the military fort, to female leaders of the Native American Occupation, to formerly incarcerated women sharing their stories on the island today, women’s history is everywhere on Alcatraz.

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket on the Alcatraz City Cruises website. Seating for the events is first-come-first-serve and may be limited. We recommend you purchase a ticket for a ferry about one hour before the event starts.

Come experience the Alcatraz Rose garden and see film screenings of Sol in the Garden. This documentary is about Sol Mercado's journey planting hope and growing a future. Sol, a formerly incarcerated woman, catches the sun as she nourishes a garden with her newfound community. Directed by Emily Cohen Ibañez and Débora Souza Silva. 

Screenings begin on the hour and the half hour. Film duration: 20 minutes

We recommend taking the following boats:

• Daytime: 9:20 AM - 12:30 PM departures
• Night: 5:55 or 6:30 PM departures

See the schedule for the day-of for location updates.

This Women’s History Month, we answer the common question: “Were there any women on Alcatraz?”

The short answer is that there were no women imprisoned here. But women’s stories are deeply connected to the island.

From laundresses working in the military fort, to female leaders of the Native American Occupation, to formerly incarcerated women sharing their stories on the island today, women’s history is everywhere on Alcatraz.

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket on the Alcatraz City Cruises website. Seating for the events is first-come-first-serve and may be limited. We recommend you purchase a ticket for a ferry about one hour before the event starts.

Lori Brosnan first came to Alcatraz as a child before it was a National Park when her father was reporting on the island. Years later, she returned as an interpretive ranger and made a great impact on everyone she encountered in her 30 years here. She helped create a strong partnership with Indians of All Tribes, the former island occupiers, and with the Alcatraz Alumni association. She has mentored many volunteers on this island. Now a dedicated volunteer herself, Lori says one of her greatest joys was “learning about the amazing women who were part of Alcatraz.”

This Women’s History Month, we answer the common question: “Were there any women on Alcatraz?”

The short answer is that there were no women imprisoned here. But women’s stories are deeply connected to the island.

From laundresses working in the military fort, to female leaders of the Native American Occupation, to formerly incarcerated women sharing their stories on the island today, women’s history is everywhere on Alcatraz.

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket on the Alcatraz City Cruises website. Seating for the events is first-come-first-serve and may be limited. We recommend you purchase a ticket for a ferry about one hour before the event starts.