Trump Proclaims Alcatraz Will Hold 'America's Worst'

Alcatraz Island, 2020. Photo by Justin Scott, National Park Service. Public domain.

Alcatraz. Just the name alone conjures images of mobsters, escape plots, and cold, relentless waters. Once the most feared federal prison in America, it's been a museum for over 60 years — until now.

Or at least, that's the idea behind President Donald Trump's latest headline-making proposal — reopening and expanding Alcatraz to house the country's "most ruthless and violent offenders," according to the BBC.

Before you imagine a new class of criminals being ferried across San Francisco Bay in shackles, there are a few things you should know.

A Symbol or a Serious Plan?

Trump made the announcement in early May via a Truth Social post, vowing to restore Alcatraz's reputation as a fortress of law and order. He instructed several federal agencies — including the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice — to begin work on a "substantially enlarged and rebuilt" version of the prison, according to NPR.

For many, this move was viewed less as a concrete plan and more as a bold political statement. Trump's messaging painted the prison as a symbol of strength. According to the Associated Press, he posted to Truth Social, "For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That's the way it's supposed to be."

But is this actually possible?

Reality Check: Billions Needed

Bringing Alcatraz back as a functioning prison wouldn't be as easy as opening the doors and turning on the lights.

The island's infrastructure has been decaying since the prison closed in 1963 due to high maintenance costs and structural issues — problems that still exist today. Experts say updating the facility would likely cost billions. The Bureau of Prisons already has a $3 billion backlog in repairs at existing prisons across the US. And while Trump gave the order, Congress would still have to approve the funding — a tall order considering California officials have already dismissed the plan as a "distraction," according to Bloomberg.

Environmental regulations could also pose major hurdles. Alcatraz is currently part of the National Park Service and serves as a major tourist attraction that brings in about $60 million a year. To convert it back into a prison, the government would need to reclaim control from the National Park Service — a legal and bureaucratic tangle on its own.

The Prison's Legacy — and Myths

According to NDTV World, Trump claimed that "nobody ever escaped from Alcatraz."

History says otherwise. At least 36 prisoners tried to escape across 14 separate attempts. While most were caught or presumed drowned, some disappearances remain unsolved — including the 1962 escape by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, who vanished into the night on a raft made of raincoats.

So, Will It Happen?

At the moment, all signs point to no. There's no clear timeline, no budget, and no legislation in motion. Trump's order may have stirred the pot politically, but experts believe it's unlikely the government will spend billions to renovate a crumbling prison when newer, more efficient maximum-security facilities already exist on the mainland.

Still, the idea of Alcatraz returning to its infamous roots captures the imagination. It's cinematic, dramatic, and rooted in American folklore. Whether you view Trump's plan as a serious policy or just political theater, one thing is clear — the Rock isn't done stirring waves just yet.

References: One of Alcatraz's last living inmates on Trump's plan to reopen prison | Trump Says Alcatraz Prison Is Unbreakable. History Says Otherwise | Is Trump's Plan to Reopen the Notorious Alcatraz Prison Realistic? | Trump says he will reopen Alcatraz for the 'most ruthless and violent' prisoners | Trump says he's going to reopen Alcatraz prison. Doing so would be difficult and costly