Alcatraz's reputation for being haunted is anecdotal

Alcatraz Island has a long-running reputation in popular culture as a haunted site, with many visitors, former inmates, and staff recounting unexplained noises or experiences. These reports are anecdotal and have not been substantiated by scientific evidence; the haunted reputation remains part of the island’s folklore. The island is administered as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and features the former federal penitentiary buildings often cited in such stories. Alcatraz’s haunted image is a common theme in tours, books, and media rather than an established historical fact.