In that context, a single move by former President Donald Trump stands out as particularly bold and controversial. He has ordered his administration to start the process of reopening Alcatraz, the notorious prison set on an island in San Francisco Bay. This proposal aims to house what Trump described as “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.” The once active prison, also called “the Rock,” has been vacant for more than 60 years. It closed down in 1963 due to a combination of crumbling infrastructure and the expense of maintaining and operating the aging system.
Trump’s announcement comes as discussion about the future of crime and public safety in the United States remains at a fever pitch. He stated that “for too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering.” The former president focused on the need for past administrations to take bold action to remove violent criminals from our communities. He continued, “That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
Eleven miles away, Alcatraz used to hold some of America’s most infamous jail birds. Notable criminals who found themselves behind bars there included mobster Al Capone and bank robber George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Between 1934 and 1963, the prison earned a well-deserved reputation as escape-proof. Its icy waters and dangerous tides largely contributed to that fearsome view. Regardless of the rebuilt security measures, 36 inmates were successful in 14 attempts to escape. Today the fates of those three men—John Anglin, Clarence Anglin and Frank Morris—still captivate people and leave them guessing.
The plan to reopen Alcatraz introduces a host of logistical hurdles. When it comes to implementation, the best experts agree we need to be spending at least $175 to $250 million. This funding is crucial to restore the facility and make it accessible for all. This investment would go toward repairing dangerous crumbling concrete, retrofitting for earthquakes and installing new security technology. It isn’t cheap to operate Alcatraz. Annual costs are estimated to be in excess of $70 to $75 million, making it far more costly than operating a similar-sized prison on the mainland.
California lawmakers and political leaders have been unanimous in their condemnation of Trump’s plan. Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi criticized the proposal as unserious, stating, “Alcatraz closed as a federal penitentiary more than 60 years ago. It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction.” She pointed out that the concept is not rooted in operational issues or common realities.
State Senator Scott Wiener condemned the proposal, accusing Trump of attempting to turn Alcatraz into a “domestic gulag right in the middle of San Francisco Bay.” He went on to pillory the initiative for being not just unhinged, but an assault on the very concept of rule of law itself. “Putting aside that Alcatraz is a museum & tourist attraction, this is both nuts & terrifying,” Wiener stated.
Proponents contend Critics claim that Trump’s proposal is a red herring that distracts from the urgent need to address issues like funding for crime prevention. Civil rights attorney Scott Hechinger noted that this animus misses the forest for the trees, majorly. Tim highlighted that Trump slashed $1 billion from crime-fighting programs bipartisan created across the country. Izzy Gardon commented on social media, “Looks like it’s Distraction Day again in Washington, DC,” capturing the sentiment among those viewing the initiative as a political maneuver.
These complexities indeed make the reopening of Alcatraz a pipe dream. Everything from food to fuel would have to be brought in by boat, adding another layer of logistical challenge and cost. Building a working prison on the middle of nowhere would seem daunting enough. These hurdles might deter the staunchest fans of the agreed-upon plan.
Nevertheless, or maybe even because of these hurdles, Trump is undeterred in his vision. He directed the Bureau of Prisons, alongside the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to proceed with plans for a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ.” This unfortunate major project is indicative of the president’s overall anti-public safety, crime-ratcheting agenda.