President Trump announced on Sunday his desire for federal law enforcement agencies to explore the possibility of restoring Alcatraz, currently a museum, back into a functioning maximum-security prison.
In a social media post, Mr. Trump reiterated his belief that the United States has become increasingly dangerous and lawless, expressing his wish for Alcatraz, located in San Francisco Bay, to be expanded and refurbished to accommodate “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.” He criticized the current judicial system, stating that it allows criminals, particularly those who have entered the country illegally, to evade justice.
The feasibility of Mr. Trump’s proposal remains uncertain, as such a project would likely require significant funding, especially given the administration's plans to cut billions from the Justice Department budget.
Mr. Trump mentioned that he had directed the Bureau of Prisons, the Justice Department, the Homeland Security Department, and the F.B.I. to collaborate on this initiative, despite the F.B.I.'s lack of a role in the incarceration process.
He described a reopened Alcatraz as a potential “symbol of law, order, and justice.” The prison, known for housing notorious criminals like Al Capone and “Machine Gun Kelly,” was closed in 1963 and later transformed into a popular tourist destination.
Alcatraz gained notoriety for the infamous escape of three inmates in 1962, whose fates remain unknown. In contrast, the current federal super-maximum security prison in Florence, Colorado, has not experienced any escapes.
In response to Mr. Trump’s comments, California State Senator Scott Wiener labeled the idea “absurd on its face,” reflecting what he characterized as the president’s “continuing unhinged behavior.”
A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed skepticism about the proposal, suggesting it was merely a distraction from pressing issues. The spokesperson emphasized that it has been over sixty years since Alcatraz functioned as a prison, and converting it back into an operational facility would require extensive time and federal investment, particularly amidst proposed spending cuts.