After six decades of silence, the infamous prison island of Alcatraz might be heading back into action — if former President Donald Trump has his way.
In a post shared on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced a proposal to reopen and expand the historic facility, outlining his vision to turn it into a high-security site for housing what he describes as the nation’s most violent and unredeemable criminals.
A New Chapter for “The Rock”
Alcatraz, once one of the most feared prisons in America, has long since traded inmates for tourists. Each year, over a million visitors walk the halls once occupied by notorious figures like Al Capone, drawn in by tales of daring escapes and its harsh, isolated setting.
The prison officially closed in 1963, after concerns over decaying infrastructure and rising maintenance costs. But Trump appears determined to breathe new life into the windswept island off San Francisco’s coast.
“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders,” Trump wrote. “When we were a more serious Nation… we locked up the worst criminals far away from society. That’s what we must return to.”
He went on to announce that he has directed the Bureau of Prisons, in coordination with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to move forward with plans for a newly rebuilt and significantly larger Alcatraz facility.
Part of a Larger Crackdown
Trump’s Alcatraz initiative is just one part of a broader plan to reshape the federal prison system and overhaul immigration detention policies. He expressed frustration with what he called “radicalized judges,” who he believes are delaying deportations by upholding legal protections.
“Alcatraz has always symbolized law and order,” he said, adding that the country must again prioritize public safety over leniency.
But the path to reopening Alcatraz may not be as simple as issuing an order. The Associated Press points out that the prison has remained closed due to high operational costs and is now managed by the National Park Service. The Bureau of Prisons, while confirming it will follow any presidential directive, did not offer further comment on the feasibility of restoring the facility.
Critics Call It a Political Stunt
The proposal quickly drew criticism, especially from lawmakers in California. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes the island, dismissed Trump’s plan outright.
“Alcatraz is now a cherished national park and a key tourist attraction,” she said on X (formerly Twitter). “This proposal is not a serious one.”
Trump has recently doubled down on his hardline stance on crime and immigration. He floated controversial ideas such as relocating accused gang members to a prison in El Salvador and proposed building a new detention facility at Guantanamo Bay capable of holding up to 30,000 individuals labeled as “criminal aliens.”
Whether or not Alcatraz will once again serve as a prison remains uncertain — but one thing is clear: Trump is reviving bold, polarizing ideas in his push to restore what he sees as America’s lost toughness on crime.
