President Donald Trump has announced plans to reopen and significantly expand Alcatraz prison, aiming to house the country’s most dangerous and violent criminals.
Alcatraz, the isolated penitentiary located on an island off the coast of San Francisco, has remained closed since 1963. The prison was originally shut down due to deteriorating infrastructure and the high costs of maintenance, particularly the need to transport all supplies by boat.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday evening, Trump wrote: “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders — the dregs of society. They would never contribute anything other than misery and suffering.”
He continued: “When we were a more serious nation, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals and keep them far from anyone they could harm. That’s how it’s supposed to be.”
“That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz, to house America’s most ruthless and violent offenders,” he stated.
The move is part of a broader effort by Trump to reform how federal prisoners and immigration detainees are incarcerated. However, reopening Alcatraz would pose significant logistical and financial challenges.
Experts note that the prison was originally closed due to the prohibitive costs of upkeep, as all necessities — from fuel to food — had to be shipped to the remote island by boat.
(NAN)