President Donald Trump has expressed his intentions to reinstate Alcatraz Island, a storied U.S. tourist attraction, as a federal prison more than six decades after it was closed down due to high operational costs. This proposal comes amidst claims that there is a sudden need for a facility to house the “most ruthless and violent” criminals, evoking memories of notorious gangsters such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly who were once imprisoned there.
Trump articulated his viewpoint through a post on his Truth Social site, stating, “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.” His remarks highlight a desire to take a tough stance on crime by utilizing the infamous facility.
Located in San Francisco Bay and clearly visible from the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island is widely recognized for its function as a federal prison from 1934 until its closure in 1963. However, its history traces back further, with President Millard Fillmore declaring the island for public purposes in 1850. Initially, it served military functions, housing Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, before the government identified it as a suitable location for a high-security prison in the 1930s.
Alcatraz was chosen for its geographical isolation, which limited effective communication with the outside world. The federal government believed the remote setting would provide adequate security for housing the most dangerous criminals. Although land in Alaska was also being considered, the existing facilities and resources on Alcatraz made it the preferable choice at that time.
The prison's eventual closure in 1963 stemmed from its impracticality. The isolated location meant that essential supplies, including food and fuel, had to be transported by boat. Additionally, the lack of fresh water presented significant challenges; approximately one million gallons had to be shipped to the island weekly. By 1959, it cost $10.10 per day to imprison someone at Alcatraz compared to only $3 at a federal facility in Atlanta, rendering its operational costs prohibitively high and prompting the decision to construct a new prison instead.
Despite its historical significance, Alcatraz is notorious for the numerous escape attempts made by inmates, with a total of 36 men trying to escape through various methods. According to FBI records, most did not survive the cold waters or strong currents that surrounded the island. One of the most notable escape attempts was in 1962 when John Anglin, along with his brother Clarence and Frank Morris, successfully escaped, leaving behind plaster heads to deceive the guards. However, after an extensive investigation, the FBI concluded that no credible evidence suggested the men were alive, either in the United States or abroad.
Today, Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, having been opened to the public in 1973, a decade following its closure as a prison. The National Park Service reports that the island attracts over 1 million visitors annually, who arrive via ferry. The ticket price for adults is set at $47.95, allowing tourists to explore the historic cells that once held some of America’s most infamous criminals.
