President Donald Trump has instructed his government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the famous prison located on an island near San Francisco that has remained closed for more than 60 years. Trump expressed on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States has long been affected by violent and repeat criminals, and that it is necessary to separate the most dangerous criminals from society.
"When we were a more serious nation in the past, we had no hesitation in locking up the most dangerous criminals and keeping them away from those who could be harmed," Trump stated. Alcatraz Island, which has served as a reminder of past correctional facilities, represents, according to him, the ideal place to house the most ruthless and violent criminals in the United States.
Trump's order for the reconstruction and reopening of Alcatraz, which was closed years ago, is part of his efforts to modify how and where federal prisoners and detained migrants are held. The viability of this proposal, as well as its cost and complexity, has raised doubts among some sectors.
Alcatraz Island is currently a major tourist destination managed by the National Park Service and listed as a National Historic Monument. Trump mentioned that the idea arose from his disagreement with judges and his frustration with the deportation process.
Despite being a symbol of law and order, Alcatraz prison closed in 1963 due to deteriorating infrastructure and high maintenance costs of the facility. Although it housed famous criminals such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, it was also the scene of multiple escape attempts. While the prison has been featured in numerous films, its reopening and modernization pose significant challenges at a time when the Bureau of Prisons has been closing facilities due to similar infrastructure issues.
