Topline
President Donald Trump said he has directed his administration to rebuild and reopen a “substantially enlarged version of the Alcatraz Prison, which was closed in 1963 after government officials determined that the island prison was too expensive to operate.
President Trump said he has ordered the rebuilding and reopening of the infamous Alcatraz Prison of … More
Key Facts
In a post on his Truth Social platform late on Sunday, Trump wrote: “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” arguing that for “too long” America has been “plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering.”
The president said the country did not hesitate to lock up the “most dangerous criminals” and keep them “far away” from people they could harm, “when we were a more serious Nation, in times past.”
Trump said he is ordering the Bureau of Prisons to work with the Justice Department, FBI and Department of Homeland Security to “reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ.”
The reopened prison will house “America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders,” and “serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE,” Trump said.
Trump’s post also attacked judges who have blocked his efforts to deport migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, saying, “We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals.”
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What Do We Know About Alcatraz Prison?
Alcatraz federal prison was opened in 1934 as a “maximum-security, minimum-privilege penitentiary” to house “the most incorrigible inmates.” The prison was located on Alcatraz Island, just off the coast of San Francisco, which was used as a U.S. Army fort in the 19th century. The prison gained a reputation for being inescapable, due to the strong ocean currents and chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean surrounding Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz housed some of the country’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone, George “Machine-Gun” Kelly, Alvin Karpis (the first person to be given the title of “Public Enemy #1” by the FBI), and Arthur “Doc” Barker. Despite its reputation, at least 36 inmates tried to escape the prison at different times, among whom 23 were caught, 6 were shot and killed during their escape, and 2 drowned. The most infamous escape attempt occurred in 1962, which involved inmates Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin, who escaped the island onboard an improvised inflatable life raft. The three of them have never been found, although authorities and experts assumed the trio likely drowned during their escape attempt.
When And Why Was Alcatraz Prison Shut Down?
After being operational for nearly three decades, the island prison was shut down in 1963. On its website, the Bureau of Prisons says the move to shut the prison was not influenced by the infamous escape attempt by three inmates in 1962, as the decision had already been made before that. The Bureau notes that the primary factor was cost, as the federal penitentiary “was too expensive to continue operating.” The Bureau notes that an estimated $3-5 million was needed at the time to complete necessary restoration and maintenance work at time. In addition to this Alcatraz was “nearly three times more expensive to operate than any other Federal prison.” The closure was ordered by Robert F. Kennedy, who was Attorney General at the time. At the time Kennedy said: “It’s so much more expensive to feed prisoners there than at any other federal prison.”
What Is Alcatraz Island Being Used For Currently?
The island is a tourist destination operated by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The parks service website says the island “welcomes approximately 1.2 million visitors a year.”
How Have Trump Administration Officials Reacted?
“The Bureau of Prisons will comply with all Presidential Orders,” a spokesperson told several outlets. However, it is unclear how long such a reopening process will take and if it will even be logistically and financially feasible.
Chief Critic
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose Congressional district includes Alcatraz Island, wrote on X:“Alcatraz closed as a federal penitentiary more than sixty years ago. It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction. The President’s proposal is not a serious one.”
Further Reading
Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz. Here’s how experts and California officials have responded (San Francisco Chronicle)
