On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced plans to direct several federal agencies to reopen an enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz, the former federal prison now recognized as a national park. He expressed a desire to address violent crime, declaring that America has suffered too long from “violent, repeat Criminal Offenders” who contribute to societal issues.
Trump’s directive involves collaboration between the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security to house “America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders” at Alcatraz. Originally opened as a federal penitentiary in 1934, the facility housed over 1,500 inmates before closing in 1963 due to high operating costs and isolation challenges.
In his statement, Trump reflected on a time when the nation was stern on crime and suggested that the facility could also accommodate undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities. He criticized judicial rulings that have blocked his aggressive immigration policies, likening perceived judicial leniency to a failure of law enforcement.
Trump’s ambition to resurrect Alcatraz as a prison raises questions about its feasibility, given the Bureau of Prisons’ budget constraints and maintenance challenges. Existing estimates indicate millions are needed for restoration, not accounting for operational costs, which were once nearly three times higher than other federal prisons.
Detractors, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, have dismissed Trump’s proposal as insincere and a distraction, noting that Alcatraz is now a major tourist attraction drawing over a million visitors annually.
Given this context, Trump’s announcement signals his continued focus on crime and immigration, despite the considerable logistical and financial hurdles associated with such a plan.
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