Omotayo Adigun
President Donald Trump has announced via his Truth Social platform that he has instructed federal authorities to undertake the rebuilding and reopening of Alcatraz prison, the infamous former federal penitentiary situated on an island in California. The facility, known for housing some of America’s most notorious criminals, was closed six decades ago due to high operational costs.
In his statement on Sunday, the President asserted that he is “directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.”
Alcatraz, located approximately 1.25 miles off the coast of San Francisco, operated for just 29 years before its closure in 1963, primarily due to exorbitant operating expenses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The island facility, with a limited capacity of 336 inmates, gained notoriety for housing criminals such as Prohibition-era mob boss Al Capone and was the subject of numerous legendary escape attempts. It currently functions as a popular tourist attraction.
President Trump has consistently emphasized a tough stance on crime, particularly crimes allegedly committed by migrants, as a central tenet of his administration. In his Sunday post, he stated,
“When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
He further declared, “No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”
The island’s formidable reputation was further cemented in American culture by the 1962 escape of three inmates, notably Frank Morris, a story that inspired the Clint Eastwood film “Escape from Alcatraz.”
READ ALSO: Trump Shuts Down Talk of Third Term Run
The prison’s closure shortly after this event, on March 21, 1963, was largely attributed to its operational costs being three times higher than any other federal prison. The Bureau of Prisons cited the logistical challenges of its island isolation, requiring weekly transportation of food, supplies, fuel, and drinking water, as major contributing factors.
Additionally, an estimated $3 million to $5 million was needed for essential maintenance and restoration at the time of its closure.
Alcatraz was reopened to the public as a tourist site in 1973 and now attracts over one million visitors annually. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco, dismissed the proposal, stating on social media platform X, “The President’s proposal is not a serious one.”
President Trump has pledged to intensify efforts to combat crime, particularly those involving migrants. His administration previously invoked the 1798 Enemies Act to deport individuals it deemed criminals and gang members.
Furthermore, his administration allocated significant funds to El Salvador to incarcerate deported migrants, and he has expressed openness to the idea of sending U.S. citizens convicted of violent crimes to the Central American nation.
Last week, UN experts raised concerns that the United States appeared to be systematically denying due process rights to over 250 Venezuelan and Salvadoran individuals who were deported.