Recreation Yard, Prison exercise area in Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, United States.
The Recreation Yard is an outdoor area on Alcatraz next to D-Block, surrounded by concrete walls and security fencing. The ground is made of concrete and the space provided limited room for physical activity and leisure.
The concrete surface was installed in 1936 and the yard became the site of a major escape attempt in 1946. During this incident, inmates tried to overtake the guard tower.
Inmates organized baseball games and named their teams after professional leagues. These matches provided a routine and sense of community during their incarceration.
Inmates received about five hours of outdoor time on weekends and holidays, while kitchen workers had additional privileges during the week. Visitors can see today how limited this outdoor space actually was for physical activity.
From this yard, prisoners could hear sounds from San Francisco, including music and celebrations from the city. This closeness to normal human activity made their isolation feel particularly harsh and inescapable.
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