Descending to Work - Alcatraz Island - GGNRA

A steep flight of stairs temporarilly removed the convicts from the enclosed, concrete world of the Cell House and the Recreation Yard into a green wonderland of ice plants with an unrivaled view of San Francisco. John Paul Chase memorialized these trips with a ten part panorama he painted from memory on illustration board. Any flights of freedom had to be imaginary -- guards watched the convicts' every move from several positions.

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