Overview

• President Trump announced plans to reopen Alcatraz as a maximum-security prison for America's most violent criminals, citing it as a symbol of law and order.
• The Bureau of Prisons has pledged to comply with the directive, though no timeline, funding details, or concrete plans have been disclosed.
• Alcatraz, closed in 1963 due to high operational costs and infrastructure issues, is now a major tourist site managed by the National Park Service.
• Critics, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have dismissed the proposal as impractical given the island’s historic landmark status and current usage.
• Experts highlight significant challenges in modernizing the facility, including its remote location, lack of fresh water, and deteriorated infrastructure.