Trump Proposes Reopening Alcatraz as New Federal Prison for Violent Offenders
NEW YORK – In an unexpected announcement, President Donald Trump has directed his administration to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the infamous former prison located on a challenging-to-access island near San Francisco, which has been closed since 1963. Citing the need for stricter incarceration methods for repeat violent offenders, Trump emphasized the need to keep dangerous criminals "far away from anyone they could harm."
In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized what he described as a lenient justice system, and called for the Bureau of Prisons, alongside the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, to rebuild the facility to house the nation’s most violent offenders. The plan comes as part of his broader objective to reform federal incarceration practices but raises significant concerns regarding feasibility and costs.
Alcatraz, with its notorious history and insurmountable surroundings, housed infamous criminals such as Al Capone but was shuttered due to deteriorating infrastructure and exorbitant operational costs. Since its closure, the island has transformed into a popular tourist destination managed by the National Park Service, complicating any potential plans for a resurgence as a prison facility.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Trump’s proposal, highlighting that Alcatraz now serves as a national park, dismissing the idea as unserious. The Bureau of Prisons, while asserting it will comply with presidential directives, has previously faced scrutiny for operational failures and declining inmate management standards.
As discussions unfold regarding Trump’s directive, the practicality of revitalizing Alcatraz raises questions amidst a backdrop of existing federal prisons and ongoing reforms within the Bureau of Prisons, also dealing with increasing immigration detainee responsibilities.
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