1 / 10Prison Reopening Announced: US President Donald Trump recently declared his plan to reopen Alcatraz prison, a former federal facility on an island in San Francisco Bay. In a Truth Social post, he directed the government to rebuild and expand the prison, which has been closed since 1963. Trump’s announcement aims to address crime by housing dangerous offenders, but he did not specify costs or a timeline for the project. (AP Photo)
2 / 10Focus on Violent Criminals: Trump emphasised that Alcatraz would detain America’s most violent and repeat offenders. He stated that these criminals cause widespread harm and contribute nothing to society. In his post, Trump argued that past eras were tougher on crime, locking up dangerous individuals to protect the public. He believes reopening Alcatraz will restore this approach to dealing with serious offenders. (Reuters Photo)
3 / 10Agencies Assigned Roles: The directive involves multiple federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Homeland Security. These groups are tasked with overseeing the prison’s reconstruction and expansion. Trump’s plan calls for a significantly larger facility to accommodate more inmates. However, the announcement lacks details on how these agencies will coordinate or fund the ambitious project. (AP Photo)
4 / 10High Costs Anticipated: Reopening Alcatraz will likely require substantial funding. The prison closed in 1963 because it was three times more expensive to operate than other federal facilities. Costs for food, fuel, and water, all delivered by boat, added to the expense. Recent estimates suggest hundreds of millions of dollars would be needed to rebuild, especially given the Bureau of Prisons’ $3 billion maintenance backlog reported in 2024. (Reuters Photo)
5 / 10Infrastructure Obstacles: The island’s remote location poses logistical challenges. Everything from supplies to staff must be transported by boat, increasing operational costs. The facility’s infrastructure, damaged by salt air corrosion, requires extensive repairs to meet modern prison standards. The Bureau of Prisons has closed other facilities due to similar issues, making the task of reviving Alcatraz a complex and costly endeavour. (Reuters Photo)
6 / 10Historical Context: Known as “The Rock,” Alcatraz operated for 29 years and housed infamous criminals like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Its reputation as an inescapable prison came from strong Pacific currents and cold waters surrounding the island. The facility’s history of high security made it a symbol of strict punishment for the nation’s most dangerous offenders. (AFP Photo)
7 / 10Cultural Legacy: Alcatraz has left a lasting mark on American culture. It inspired films like “The Rock” with Sean Connery and “Escape from Alcatraz” with Clint Eastwood. The prison’s image as an impregnable fortress continues to captivate the public. Its history of housing notorious figures and dramatic escape attempts adds to its enduring place in popular imagination. (AFP Photo)
8 / 10Escape Attempts Recorded: During its operation, 36 inmates attempted 14 escapes from Alcatraz, according to the FBI. Most were recaptured or died during their attempts. The 1962 escape by John Anglin, Clarence Anglin, and Frank Morris remains unresolved, sparking debate about their fate. This event, dramatised in the 1979 film “Escape from Alcatraz,” cemented the prison’s reputation for being nearly impossible to flee. (Reuters Photo)
9 / 10Current Tourist Attraction: Since 1973, Alcatraz Island has been managed by the National Park Service as a National Historic Landmark. It draws over one million visitors annually, who tour the cellhouse and explore the island’s history. While the main prison building is maintained, other structures remain in disrepair. The island’s role as a popular tourist site complicates plans to convert it back into a functioning prison. (Reuters Photo)
10 / 10Opposition and Doubts: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes San Francisco, questioned the plan’s feasibility. She called Trump’s proposal impractical, highlighting Alcatraz’s current role as a major tourist destination. The Bureau of Prisons confirmed it would follow the president’s orders but offered no details on implementation. The National Park Service’s control of the island adds further uncertainty to the project’s viability. (Bloomberg Photo)
