Olin G. Blackwell

Olin Guy Blackwell (February 15, 1915 – March 7, 1986) was an American lawman who was the fourth and final warden of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, which was situated on Alcatraz Island, California. Associate Warden to Paul J. Madigan from April 1959,[1] Blackwell served as warden of Alcatraz at its most difficult time from 1961 to 1963 when it was facing closure as a decaying prison and financing problems and at the time of the June 1962 escape. At that time, he was on vacation in Lake Berryessa in Napa County, California, and he didn't believe the men could have survived the waters and make it to shore.[2]

Olin G. Blackwell
Blackwell in 1961
Born
Olin Guy Blackwell

(1915-02-15)February 15, 1915
Georgia, United States
DiedMarch 7, 1986(1986-03-07) (aged 71)
Hart County, Georgia, U.S.
Other namesGypsy, Blackie (nicknames)
OccupationPrison warden
Known forWarden of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (1961–1963)

The prison closed on March 21, 1963. Blackwell was considered to have been the least strict warden of Alcatraz, perhaps in part due to him having been a heavy drinker and smoker, nicknamed "Gypsy" and known as "Blackie" to his friends.[1] He was said to have been an excellent marksman. He had earlier served as Associate Warden of Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary.[1] He died on March 7, 1986 in Hart County Georgia.[3][4]

References
  1. Jerry (27 January 2011). The Fading Voices of Alcatraz. AuthorHouse. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-4567-1487-1. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  2. "Alcatraz Archive". Sfgenealogy.com. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2013-05-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-05-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)


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