Rufus "Whitey" Franklin: Most Mistreated Federal Prisoner History.

Rufus William Franklin Called "Whitey" was born 15 Jan 1916 in Anniston, AL, to John Thomas Franklin (1886-1948) & Hixie Ann Mayor (1889-1936).

Inmate: 335-AZ Alcatraz Federal Prison
Rec: 21 May 1935
Crime: Bank Robbery
Term: 30 years
Age: 20

On 23 May 1938 Whitey and two other inmates, Jimmy Lucas and Tom "Sndy" Limerick. Planned a prison escape. In the process Whitey had a hammer and apparently beat a guard to death. Tom was killed in the processed and Jimmy gave himself up.

Whitey and Jimmy were tried for the guard's murder, they received life sentences. Although there was enough circumstantial evidence that Whitey did the killing Jimmy got a life sentence as well.

Whitey at trial.

Here are some newspaper clippings:

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46459729/rufus-whitey-franklin/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46459661/rufus-whitey-franklin/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46459516/rufus-whitey-

franklin/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46459403/rufus-whitey-franklin/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46458323/rufus-whitey-franklin/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46458232/rufus-whitey-franklin/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46458163/rufus-whitey-franklin/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46457307/rufus-whitey-franklin/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46458047/rufus-whitey-franklin/

Jimmy suffered harsh treatment through the years, but what Whitey went through was unbelievable. He was put into an isolation cell, (The Hole), totally cut off from all contact with the rest of the prison. It was assumed by the prisoners that Whitey was beaten regularly both physically and mentally by the guards. In 1946 during a revolt at Alcatraz, an investigation of the prison conditions found that Whitey Franklin was still in his solitary cell after 8 seven years and 21 days. His skin was dry and had a pasty look to it. 

Reporters ask Warden James A Johnston how long Whitey was in the "Hole" he replied "As long as necessary for discipline."

Paroled from Atlanta Prison October 29, 1974,

and he went to Ohio, where he died 26 May 1975 in Dayton. 

I am all for punishment for criminals, but this was a double inhumane punishment. He was sentenced to LIfe that should of been enough, but the guards were ticked off that one of their own was killed and took it upon themselves to be brutal. He was 20 years old when he went in and I couldn't imagine what it was like for him when he left. 

He was only 59 when he died and he had never been married according to his death record. 

He was living with his sister Ruby when he died of lung cancer.

Below is his Find A Grave Memorial.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103528614