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2mo ago

Trump’s Proposal to Reopen Alcatraz Faces Skepticism Over Costs and Feasibility

The plan to rebuild the decaying landmark as a symbol of law and order remains in an exploratory phase, drawing criticism from experts and former inmates.

A re-creation of the cell once occupied by Alcatraz escapee Frank Morris is seen in 2003 at Alcatraz.
Sisters of the Anglin brothers, Marie Anglin Widner (right) and Mearl Anglin Taylor, visit Alcatraz in 2012 on the 50th anniversary of their brothers' escape.
Visitors this month tour the prison cells on Alcatraz Island.
A bird flies this month above Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay in California.

Overview

  • President Trump has directed federal agencies to explore reopening Alcatraz as a maximum-security prison, emphasizing its symbolic value for law and order.
  • The initiative lacks secured funding, a timeline, or completed feasibility studies, with experts highlighting the island's decayed infrastructure and high costs.
  • Charlie Hopkins, the last known living Alcatraz inmate, believes the plan is impractical and considers it more symbolic than actionable.
  • Historical escapes, including the infamous 1962 breakout by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, underscore the prison's enduring lore despite its operational challenges.
  • Public reactions vary widely, with some dismissing the proposal as unrealistic while figures like Joe Rogan find it entertaining and intriguing.