Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour is included with every island ticket and is the reason the visit lands so hard. The voices belong to former inmates and correctional officers, recorded decades after the prison closed.
What it covers
- Broadway and the main cell blocks
- The dining hall
- The library and barbershop
- D Block segregation and the strip cells
- The recreation yard
- The escape cells and the 1962 breakout
Practicalities
| Length | About 45 minutes |
| Pace | Self-guided; pause any time |
| Cost | Included in admission |
| Languages | Several, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin |
Getting more from it
- Pause and step outside partway through; the contrast with the Bay view is the point.
- Stand in an open cell while listening rather than in the aisle.
- Stay for a ranger talk afterwards for the parts the audio leaves out.
- Read Alcatraz federal prison daily life first for context.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Alcatraz audio tour included?
Yes, it is included with island admission at no extra cost.
How long does the Alcatraz audio tour take?
About 45 minutes, though it is self-paced and many visitors take an hour.