I'm not sure specifically which 'alcatraz short story' you mean. There could be many short stories related to Alcatraz. It might be about the prison life there, the inmates, the escapes that were attempted, or the history and the people associated with the Alcatraz prison.
Since I don't know the exact 'alcatraz short story', it could be the inmates as the main characters. Maybe a notorious criminal like Machine Gun Kelly if the story is set in the prison era.
The Alcatraz real story is quite complex. Alcatraz was a famous prison. It was known for housing some of the most dangerous criminals in the United States. The prison was located on an island, which made escape extremely difficult. The harsh conditions inside, including strict security measures, isolation cells, and limited privileges, were designed to keep inmates in check. Some of the inmates there were notorious gangsters. Their stories of trying to survive in that tough environment are part of the real story of Alcatraz.
There are many versions of the Alcatraz ghost story. One of the most common ones is about the inmates who died there. It's said that their spirits still roam the prison. Some visitors claim to have heard strange noises or seen shadowy figures in the cells. Maybe it's the residual energy of the pain and suffering that took place within those walls.
The true story of the 'Birdman of Alcatraz' is about Robert Stroud. He was serving time in prison. He developed an interest in birds, especially canaries. He studied them intensively, even breeding them in his cell. This made him stand out among the prisoners. But don't forget, he was in prison for murder. His story got a lot of attention because it was so unusual. People were intrigued by how he could turn his life in prison into something more positive, at least in the area of bird study.