NEW YORK (AP) – President Donald Trump has announced a directive to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the infamous former prison located on an isolated island in San Francisco Bay, after being closed for more than 60 years. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his belief that America has been suffering from the impact of violent criminals, stating that past generations took decisive action to imprison dangerous offenders far from society. He emphasized that this is how it should be done.
Trump's statement outlined his instructions to the Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Homeland Security to undertake a substantial reconstruction of Alcatraz, aiming to house what he described as America's most ruthless and violent criminals. This proposal adds to his ongoing efforts to radically change how federal prisoners and immigration detainees are managed.
However, reopening Alcatraz presents a significant challenge, given its history and the various infrastructural issues that led to its closure in 1963. The prison faced deteriorating conditions, with repairs deemed too costly and complicated due to its remote location, where supplies had to be transported by boat. Meeting modern safety and operational standards would require extensive investment, especially when the Bureau of Prisons has been closing facilities for similar reasons.
Alcatraz, also known as "The Rock," was designed to be escape-proof due to treacherous ocean currents and cold water. It held notorious criminals, including gangster Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, throughout its 29 years of operation. Historical accounts detail that 36 inmates attempted 14 separate escapes, most of whom were either captured or did not survive the attempts. The fate of three inmates—John Anglin, Clarence Anglin, and Frank Morris—sparked ongoing speculation and was dramatized in the film "Escape from Alcatraz," featuring Clint Eastwood.
Currently, Alcatraz Island functions as a major tourist attraction and is managed by the National Park Service, designated as a National Historic Landmark. Trump suggested that the initiative arose from his frustration with what he termed "radicalized judges" who have enforced due process for deported individuals. He characterized Alcatraz as a "symbol of law and order" with a rich historical background.
A spokesperson from the Bureau of Prisons confirmed that they would comply with presidential orders but did not provide details on the feasibility of reopening Alcatraz, especially in light of the National Park Service's stewardship over the island. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat representing California, criticized Trump's proposal, citing the impracticality of reopening a site that now thrives as a popular national park.
The Bureau of Prisons currently manages several high-security facilities similar to Alcatraz, including the maximum-security prison in Florence, Colorado, and the penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, which houses the federal death chamber. Trump's directive coincides with his controversial efforts to transfer accused gang members to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador without due process and to send domestic federal prisoners to the Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT.
In addition to the Alcatraz initiative, Trump has previously proposed the establishment of a detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, aimed at housing what he has labeled the "worst criminal aliens." The Bureau of Prisons has faced scrutiny in recent years, particularly after controversies surrounding the management of federal facilities, leading to increased oversight and mandates for reform.
The agency is undergoing significant transitions, with new leadership and a redefined mission that includes the intake of immigration detainees under an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. While several facilities have closed to reduce costs, new construction is also taking place, such as a new prison planned in Kentucky.
