President Donald Trump announced his intention to reopen Alcatraz, the former maximum-security prison, as a facility for the country's most violent offenders. This announcement was made via social media, directing several federal agencies to undertake the project.
The Bureau of Prisons indicated compliance with presidential orders, but other agencies haven't yet commented. Representative Nancy Pelosi dismissed the idea as not serious. Trump himself downplayed the proposal, calling it just an idea, while criticizing judges’ handling of undocumented immigrants. The practical feasibility is highly questionable, given the significant costs of infrastructure and maintenance; one estimate suggests over $50 million in repairs.
Alcatraz, located on an island in San Francisco Bay, operated from 1934 to 1963. It housed notorious criminals such as Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, but primarily held inmates who violated rules in other prisons or posed high escape risks. The prison was known for its strict security and limited privileges. The unsolved escape attempt in the early 1960s remains a significant part of its history, contributing to its continued tourism appeal.
Alcatraz's closure in 1963 stemmed from excessively high operational costs, largely due to its remote location. The island was later occupied by Native American activists in 1969-1971 before becoming a National Park in 1973, currently attracting over 1.2 million visitors annually.