Was Alcatraz a mental institution

No, Alcatraz was not a mental institution; it was a federal prison located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. It operated from 1934 to 1963 and was designed to hold dangerous criminals. While some inmates may have had mental health issues, the facility primarily served as a maximum-security prison for notorious offenders. After its closure as a prison, it became a historic site and tourist attraction.