Warm Showers with Cold Intentions

When you think of Alcatraz, the notorious island prison, ‘warm showers’ likely isn’t the first image that springs to mind. Surprisingly, Alcatraz was the only U.S. prison to offer its inmates the luxury of hot showers. But this apparent comfort had a chilling rationale.

The authorities believed that if prisoners grew accustomed to the warmth, they would stand no chance against the bay’s frigid waters during an escape attempt. This strategy aimed to clip the wings of hope, keeping the inmates bound not by chains but by their own adaptation to comfort. However, whether this tactic truly deterred escapes remains a matter of historical debate.