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Trump Orders Reopening of Alcatraz as Maximum-Security Prison

The directive to rebuild and expand the historic facility faces logistical, financial, and political challenges, with critics questioning its feasibility.

Alcatraz Island is pictured on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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Alcatraz Island is pictured on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Overview

  • President Trump announced plans to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz Island as a maximum-security prison for America's most violent offenders.
  • The Bureau of Prisons has pledged to comply with the directive, but no timeline or cost estimates have been provided for the project.
  • Alcatraz, closed in 1963 due to high operational costs and infrastructure issues, is now a major tourist attraction managed by the National Park Service.
  • Critics, including Nancy Pelosi, have dismissed the proposal as impractical, citing the site's current use and significant logistical hurdles.
  • The move aligns with Trump's broader push for stricter detention policies, including controversial plans involving Guantanamo Bay and foreign facilities.