Title:
Al Capone Department of Justice “Record of Court Commitment” Prison Document – Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution – 1939

Description:
Original United States Department of Justice “Record of Court Commitment” form documenting the continued federal imprisonment of notorious Chicago gangster Alphonse Gabriel “Al” Capone at the Federal Correctional Institution, Terminal Island, California. This historically significant typed prison document details Capone’s incarceration following his infamous federal income tax conviction.

The form identifies Capone under several aliases, including “Alphonse Brown,” “Al Capone,” “Al Brown,” “Scarface Brown,” and “Scarface Capone,” reflecting the federal government’s extensive criminal identification procedures. Listed under inmate number “397-Cal,” the record notes Capone’s prior incarcerations at both Atlanta Federal Penitentiary and Alcatraz before his confinement at Terminal Island.

The document specifically references:

• True Name: Alphonse Gabriel Capone
• Offense: Violating Income Tax Laws
• District: Northern District of Illinois – Chicago
• Sentence: 1 Year
• Arrest Date: June 12, 1931
• Sentence Date: January 20, 1939
• Sentence Expiration: January 19, 1940
• Residence: Chicago, Illinois

Additional notations include references to court costs, parole eligibility, prior prison transfers, and family information including Mae Capone. The lower portion of the form contains institutional transfer references and administrative prison records associated with Capone’s confinement history.

The document displays strong overall preservation with expected age toning, minor edge wear, and visible original paperclip impressions near the upper margin. The reverse side remains blank aside from show-through text from the front, consistent with authentic Department of Justice prison forms of the era. Included alongside the document is a classic period image of Al Capone, further enhancing the presentation and historical appeal of the piece.

Historical Context:
Al Capone remains one of the most infamous figures in American criminal history and the defining face of organized crime during the Prohibition era. As leader of the Chicago Outfit throughout the 1920s, Capone oversaw vast bootlegging, gambling, and racketeering operations that generated enormous illegal profits and fueled widespread public fascination.

Despite years of investigations into violent organized crime activities, federal authorities ultimately secured Capone’s conviction in 1931 on charges of income tax evasion. The successful prosecution became a landmark legal achievement for the United States government and demonstrated the effectiveness of financial investigations against organized crime syndicates.

Capone served time in several major federal prisons, including the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary and the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, before declining health prompted his transfer to Terminal Island. By the late 1930s, the effects of neurosyphilis had severely impacted both his physical and mental condition, marking the dramatic decline of one of America’s most feared underworld figures.

This prison commitment record captures the final chapter of Capone’s federal imprisonment and stands as a rare surviving artifact directly tied to the incarceration history of America’s most legendary gangster. Original Bureau of Prisons records associated with Capone are exceptionally desirable among collectors of organized crime memorabilia, law enforcement history, Prohibition-era artifacts, and twentieth-century Americana.

Authentication

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:

This remarkable federal prison record represents a direct and tangible connection to Al Capone’s incarceration and the historic federal prosecution that helped define America’s fight against organized crime. Combining strong historical content, extensive institutional detail, and direct association with one of the twentieth century’s most infamous figures, this document stands as an exceptional centerpiece for advanced collectors of gangster history, federal prison memorabilia, and American criminal history artifacts.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.