Rufus Roy McCain (July 7, 1903 – December 3, 1940)[1] was a prisoner at Alcatraz who attempted escape with Henri Young and Arthur Barker in 1939.
[2] On the night of January 13, 1939, Rufus McCain, Henri Young, Arthur "Doc" Barker, Dale Stamphill, and William Martin, attempted to escape from the Rock.
[3] McCain and Young were sentenced to almost 22 months each in the solitary confinement cells of D-Block, a punishment that subjected them to severe isolation and minimal human interaction.
Current research shows that solitary confinement, especially for extended periods of time with extreme conditions, is harmful to the incarcerates' mental well-being.
Returning to normal prison life meant adapting to the highly regimented and strict environment overseen by Warden James Johnston, known for his disciplinarian approach.