Alcatraz Island is a small island offshore from San Francisco, California, with a lighthouse, a military fort, and a former federal prison. From 1934 to 1963, a facility on the island served as a federal prison for some of the most dangerous civilian prisoners. The island was once a fort, a military prison, and a maximum security federal penitentiary. In 1969, the Indians of All Tribes occupied Alcatraz for 19 months in the name of freedom and Native American civil rights. Today, visitors can explore its exhibits, video presentations, audio tours, and ranger programs.