The President of the United States communicated through the social network Truth Social that he plans to reopen and expand the historic prison
Alcatraz was officially closed due to its high operating cost, as everything had to be transported by boat, and due to the deterioration of its facilities. Since then, the island has been managed by the National Park Service and has become a tourist attraction and national historic site that receives thousands of visitors each year.
President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post his intention to reopen and expand Alcatraz prison, closed since 1963, to incarcerate the country's most dangerous and repeat offenders, whom he correctly labeled as the "scum of society."
According to Trump, this measure seeks to restore order and justice in a nation that, in his opinion and that of the majority of society, has been too lenient with violent criminals.
Trump expressed that the United States can no longer be held hostage by criminals, fearful judges, and illegal migrants who, according to him, bring chaos and violence.
As part of his proposal, he ordered the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security to work on the reopening and reconstruction of the prison. He indicated that the new version of Alcatraz would be "substantially larger" and serve as a symbol of law, order, and justice.
Alcatraz, a rocky island located in San Francisco Bay, functioned as a federal prison between 1934 and 1963. During that time, it housed some of the country's most notorious criminals, such as Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, James "Whitey" Bulger, and Robert Stroud, the infamous "Birdman of Alcatraz."
The prison was known for its supposed impossibility of escape due to the cold and turbulent waters surrounding the island. However, in 1962, the most famous escape was recorded, carried out by Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin. To this day, it hasn't been confirmed whether they survived or not.
Trump's proposal faces significant obstacles. The island is a protected site and reopening a prison there would require reversing its status as a historic monument, in addition to enormous investments in infrastructure.
It has also received criticism from figures like former Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who considers the idea impractical and a step back in criminal justice.
Previously, he had already reactivated the detention center in Guantanamo for dangerous criminal immigrants. Additionally, he has harshly criticized federal judges, even those he appointed, for blocking measures like the deportation of foreign gang members under the Alien Enemies Act.
