Trump Proposes Reopening Alcatraz for Violent Offenders
By Han tt – 04/05/2025

Alcatraz, the infamous island prison once home to Al Capone, closed in 1963 and later became one of San Francisco’s top tourist attractions, drawing 1.5 million visitors annually. Now, over 60 years later, former President Donald Trump wants to bring it back.

On May 4, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to reopen and expand Alcatraz. “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders,” he wrote. “When we were a more serious Nation, we didn’t hesitate to lock them up far away from anyone they could harm.”

Trump said he had instructed multiple agencies—including the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security—to rebuild and enlarge Alcatraz to house America’s most dangerous criminals.

The move is part of a broader push to revamp the federal prison and immigration systems. Trump also criticized “radical judges” for slowing deportations and announced plans for a new detention center at Guantanamo Bay for up to 30,000 “criminal aliens.”

Reopening Alcatraz would be costly. The prison originally closed due to high maintenance expenses and structural issues. According to the Associated Press, reviving it would present serious logistical and financial challenges.

Despite this, a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed the agency “will comply with all Presidential Orders.”

Meanwhile, Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi dismissed the proposal, calling it “not a serious one,” noting that Alcatraz is now a major national park and vital tourism site.