The Answer:

According to the National Park Serivce, which since 1972 has overseen Alcatraz Island (part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area), 36 prisoners were involved in escape attempts from the former federal prison on that island. Of those:

• 7 were shot and killed
• 2 drowned
• 5 are unaccounted for but assumed dead,
• and the rest were recaptured.

Click here to learn the answers to other frequently asked questions about Alcatraz.

—The Fact Monster