Trump plans to reopen infamous Alcatraz Prison

Trump announced plans to reopen Alcatraz, the former infamous prison located on a remote island in San Francisco Bay, California.

According to CNN and the Associated Press, Trump, in a social media post, cited the U.S.’s struggles with violent criminal gangs and directed the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and FBI to reopen Alcatraz. He claimed the prison has been significantly expanded and renovated.

Last night, upon returning to the White House, Trump said he proposed the idea due to frustration with judges insisting that deported individuals follow legal processes. He noted that Alcatraz has long been a symbol of law and order with a storied history.

Where is Alcatraz Prison?

Alcatraz, one of the most infamous prisons not only in the U.S. but globally, has been closed for the past 60 years. Originally built in the 19th century as a military prison, it became a federal prison for the most dangerous inmates in 1934.

It was shut down in 1963 due to deteriorating infrastructure and high maintenance costs, as everything from fuel to food had to be transported by boat. The Bureau of Prisons noted that operating costs were nearly three times those of other federal prisons.

According to the FBI, during its 29 years of operation, 36 men attempted to escape in 14 separate incidents. Most were captured or did not survive, with five listed as missing and presumed drowned. Surrounded by strong ocean currents and cold Pacific waters, Alcatraz housed notorious criminals like Al Capone and was considered escape-proof.

Today, Alcatraz Island is a major tourist attraction managed by the National Park Service, drawing approximately 1.2 million visitors annually. It serves as a “time machine” to the era of historic prisons. The Bureau of Prisons currently operates 16 high-security facilities, such as the supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, and the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, home to the federal execution chamber.

How feasible is Trump’s decision?

Trump’s plan to renovate and reopen Alcatraz is costly and contentious. Upgrading the facility to modern standards would require massive investment, especially as the Bureau of Prisons has closed other facilities due to similar infrastructure issues. Estimates suggest $3 to $5 million would be needed just for restoration and maintenance, excluding daily operational costs.

A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson stated the agency would comply with presidential directives but declined to comment on the feasibility of reopening Alcatraz or its future role, given the National Park Service’s control over the island.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes the island, questioned the practicality of reopening Alcatraz, noting its status as a popular national park and tourist destination. In a post on X, she called Trump’s proposal unserious.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson dismissed Trump’s plans, calling them a distraction. A California senator labeled the proposal absurd, emphasizing Alcatraz’s role as a tourist attraction welcoming 1.2 million visitors annually. Newsom’s spokesperson described the move as part of Trump’s ongoing crusade to undermine the rule of law.

Trump’s order to reopen Alcatraz coincides with his legally challenged directive to transfer suspected gang members to a high-security prison in El Salvador without due process. He has also proposed the legally questionable idea of sending some U.S. federal prisoners to El Salvador’s CECOT terrorism detention center and ordered the opening of a detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hold up to 30,000 migrants.

Persistent challenges for the Bureau of Prisons

The Bureau of Prisons has faced numerous crises, drawing increased scrutiny after the 2019 suicide of Jeffrey Epstein in a New York federal prison. Associated Press investigations revealed deep, previously unreported flaws, including widespread staff criminal activity, dozens of escapes, chronic violence, deaths, and severe staffing shortages hindering emergency responses, including assaults and suicides. The investigations also uncovered rampant sexual abuse at a federal women’s prison in Dublin, California.

In response to mounting criticism and whistleblower reports, former President Joe Biden signed an order last year to strengthen oversight of the Bureau of Prisons. The agency remains in a precarious state, with a newly appointed director tasked with a redefined mission that includes detaining thousands of migrants. Last year, the Bureau closed several facilities to cut costs.