Introduction to Alcatraz Island: Alcatraz Island is a 22-acre (about 89,000 square meters) rocky island. It is also the island mentioned in the famous movie "The Shawshank Redemption" . The island is surrounded by icy, rough waves and vicious, bloodthirsty sharks; but it is also a refuge for wildlife, attracting brown pelicans, night herons, western gulls and many other species of birds.