Donald Trump Wants to Reopen Alcatraz for America’s “Worst Criminals”
President Donald Trump announced on May 4 that his administration intends to reopen and expand the infamous Alcatraz prison.
The facility, which opened as a federal penitentiary in 1934 and once held America’s most notorious criminals, including Al ‘Scarface’ Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Alvin ‘Creepy’ Karpis, has stood dormant since 1963.
Now, it could once again become a fortress for what Trump has described as the nation’s “most ruthless and violent offenders.”
“A Symbol of Law and Order”
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump decried what he called a “weak and chaotic” criminal justice system and laid out plans to transform Alcatraz into a state-of-the-art facility.
He directed the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to initiate the process.
“This will be a symbol of law and order,” the president wrote. “We will no longer tolerate the chaos destroying our cities.”
Federal Response: First Steps and Feasibility
William K. Marshall III, the newly appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, confirmed that a feasibility study is already underway. “We will vigorously pursue all avenues to support and implement the President’s agenda,” he said in a statement.
While no timeline has been provided, the directive marks the first serious federal effort to reassess the use of Alcatraz since it was closed due to deteriorating infrastructure and unsustainable maintenance costs over six decades ago.
Swift Political Reactions
The announcement sparked immediate reactions from lawmakers and public officials, many of them critical.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed the proposal outright, calling it an unserious distraction from deeper issues plaguing the criminal justice system. California Senator Scott Wiener was even more blunt, labeling the plan “absurd.”
“Alcatraz is a protected historic site and a vital part of San Francisco’s tourism economy,” Wiener said. “The idea of turning it back into a prison is not just legally questionable, it’s economically reckless.”
Experts Warn of Cost and Complexity
Criminal justice experts have also raised red flags. Martin Horn, former commissioner of New York City’s Department of Correction, pointed out that Alcatraz’s infrastructure is not only outdated but fundamentally incompatible with modern correctional standards.
“You would essentially need to demolish the existing structures and start from scratch,” Horn explained. “And the logistical nightmare of operating a secure facility on an isolated island would drive costs through the roof.”
Tourism and Preservation Concerns
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, which helps manage Alcatraz as a national historic landmark, voiced alarm over the proposal.
The site draws more than 1.4 million visitors annually and serves as both an educational resource and a place of reflection on America’s penal history.
“Reopening Alcatraz as a prison would erase decades of work preserving it as a symbol of resilience and change,” a spokesperson said.
Potential Link to Immigration Enforcement
Some observers have speculated that the move could also serve Trump’s broader immigration agenda. U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan suggested that Alcatraz might be considered as an option for housing certain undocumented immigrants, particularly amid the ongoing shortage of detention space nationwide.
Political Symbolism or Policy Shift?
While supporters have praised the initiative as a bold return to law and order, critics argue it’s more about political posturing than practical governance.
“This is about making a statement, not finding solutions,” said Horn. “It’s a symbol, but the costs, both financial and societal, would be enormous.”
The Bureau of Prisons will continue its feasibility assessment, but any attempt to repurpose Alcatraz faces significant legal, logistical, and public relations hurdles.
Whether the iconic prison will once again hold inmates or remain a relic of America’s penal past, remains to be seen.
Did You Know?
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Alcatraz never had a successful escape. While 36 inmates tried, the fate of three who fled in 1962 remains a mystery—and inspired the Clint Eastwood film Escape from Alcatraz.
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Native American activists occupied Alcatraz from 1969 to 1971 in a protest that drew national attention to Indigenous rights. The event remains a pivotal moment in civil rights history.
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Al Capone reportedly played banjo in the Alcatraz prison band and performed for other inmates on Sundays.
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Operating Alcatraz was extremely expensive. In 1963, it cost three times more to house a prisoner there than in other federal prisons – one reason it was shut down.
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