James A. Johnston
Encyclopedia
James Aloysius Johnston (September 15, 1874 in Brooklyn, N.Y. – September 7, 1954 in San Francisco, California) was the first warden of Alcatraz
prison. He was warden from 1934 to 1948.
Orphaned at the age of ten, began working at age 15 at Weinstock, Lubin and Co., selling ties in the menswear dept. Rose to General Manager of Weinstock Lubin. Later started Johnston's Men's Wear at 916 Market St. in San Francisco.
Elected to San Francisco Board of Supervisors, 1907
Appointed Chair, California State Board of Control, 1911
Ten of the fourteen escape attempts took place when he was warden, including the one that resulted in the Battle of Alcatraz
. Johnston wrote several books during his lifetime including "Prison Life is Different" where he documents his time spent as warden at Folsom
, San Quentin
, and Alcatraz. Johnston is credited with challenging the barbaric tactics used in the prisons when he was there, including strait jackets and solitary confinement in darkness and working towards the general improvement of the lives of prisoners. He was married to Ida Mae Fulton and had one son and three daughters.
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. Often referred to as "The Rock" or simply "Traz", the small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a Federal...
prison. He was warden from 1934 to 1948.
Orphaned at the age of ten, began working at age 15 at Weinstock, Lubin and Co., selling ties in the menswear dept. Rose to General Manager of Weinstock Lubin. Later started Johnston's Men's Wear at 916 Market St. in San Francisco.
Elected to San Francisco Board of Supervisors, 1907
Appointed Chair, California State Board of Control, 1911
Ten of the fourteen escape attempts took place when he was warden, including the one that resulted in the Battle of Alcatraz
Battle of Alcatraz
The Battle of Alcatraz, which lasted from May 2–4, 1946, was the result of an unsuccessful escape attempt at Alcatraz Island Federal Penitentiary. Two guards—William A. Miller and Harold Stites—were killed along with three of the inmates. Eleven guards and one convict were also injured...
. Johnston wrote several books during his lifetime including "Prison Life is Different" where he documents his time spent as warden at Folsom
Folsom State Prison
Folsom State Prison is a California State Prison located in the city of Folsom, California, northeast from the state capital of Sacramento. Opened in 1880, Folsom is the second-oldest prison in the state of California after San Quentin and was the first in the country to have electricity...
, San Quentin
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin State Prison is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for men in unincorporated San Quentin, Marin County, California, United States. Opened in July 1852, it is the oldest prison in the state. California's only death row for male inmates, the largest...
, and Alcatraz. Johnston is credited with challenging the barbaric tactics used in the prisons when he was there, including strait jackets and solitary confinement in darkness and working towards the general improvement of the lives of prisoners. He was married to Ida Mae Fulton and had one son and three daughters.