How Did Al Capone Manipulate The Prison System

Capone was sent to a prison in Atlanta, Georgia. He received special items like cigars, luxury shoes, and uncensored business correspondence (Al Capone Biography). After Alcatraz was built, Capone was one of the first prisoners to be sent there. Al Capone was one of the most important residents on Alcatraz. Before Capone arrived at Alcatraz, he was the master at manipulating his environment at the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta (Harris). Capone was able to persuade his keepers to do his every command, which allowed him to dictate his own privileges (Al Capone 85-AZ). He convinced many guards to work for him, and his cell had expensive furniture in it. He had personal bedding, with other items also. His cell was carpeted and he had a radio that when it was on the guards would sit with him and listen. His friends and family lived nearby in a hotel and each day he had many guests (Al Capone 85-AZ). Capone kept large amounts of money hidden in his cell and he would tip the guards who allowed him to do special requests (Harris). In 1934, the attorney General Homer Cummings and Sanford Bates, the leader of the Federal Prison sent Capone to Alcatraz, a place where he could not manipulate the system (Al Capone 85-AZ). In August of 1934, Capone and 52 others were placed on a secure prison railroad car and were sent to “America’s Devil

Capone’s health started to deteriorate when he got syphilis, because he was scared of needles. The disease got into his nervous system and ruined his health (History Learning Site). In 1938, Capone was transferred to Terminal Island Prison in Southern California to serve the rest of his sentence (Al Capone 85-AZ). Capone did not actually die from syphilis he died from Bronchopneumonia. Bronchopneumonia causes trouble-breathing issues, which eventually led to Capone’s death. Capone died on January 25, 1947 (Al Capone