Overview

• President Donald Trump has instructed federal agencies to rebuild and expand Alcatraz as a maximum-security prison, positioning it as a symbol of law, order, and justice.
• Alcatraz, which operated as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, was closed due to high maintenance costs and later became a major tourist attraction managed by the National Park Service.
• The revamped facility is intended to house the most violent offenders, with Trump emphasizing its role in addressing crime and reinforcing national security.
• Critics have raised concerns about the feasibility and cost of reconstructing the prison on the island, which previously faced logistical challenges such as transporting supplies across the bay.
• The initiative reignites interest in Alcatraz’s storied history, including its reputation as an inescapable prison and its infamous inmates like Al Capone.