Trump seeks $152m to reopen notorious Alcatraz prison

Trump seeks $152m to reopen notorious Alcatraz prison

As part of his 2027 fiscal year budget, US President Donald Trump has proposed allocating $152 million (£115 million) to restore Alcatraz to its former role as a high-security prison. The island, situated near San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, is widely known as The Rock, and was once considered one of the United States’ most feared detention centers before becoming a popular tourist destination.

Alcatraz, which operated as a federal prison from the 1930s until 1963, has since been managed by the National Park Service. Its current function as a museum and attraction generates $60 million (£45 million) annually, according to the agency. However, the Trump administration’s plan to convert the site back into a functioning prison has sparked debate, with concerns over operational costs and the facility’s logistical challenges.

Among the critics is Nancy Pelosi, former speaker of the US House of Representatives, who called the proposal “absurd on its face and should be rejected outright.” She argued that transforming Alcatraz into a modern prison would be a “stupid notion” that risks squandering taxpayer funds and diminishing public trust in government decisions. Other California lawmakers have echoed similar doubts, emphasizing the potential loss of the island’s status as a cultural icon.

“Rebuilding Alcatraz into a modern prison is a stupid notion that would be nothing more than a waste of taxpayer dollars and an insult to the intelligence of the American people.” – Nancy Pelosi

The budget request includes $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion) allocated to the Bureau of Prisons, with the Alcatraz portion aiming to cover initial expenses. Trump announced the initiative on Truth Social, stating he would direct the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to “reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ.” The goal is to house the nation’s most dangerous criminals.

Originally a naval defense fortress, Alcatraz transitioned into a military prison before being converted into a federal facility by the Department of Justice in the 1930s. Notable inmates during its active years included gangsters such as Al Capone, Mickey Cohen, and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. The island has also appeared in several films, including Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), starring Burt Lancaster, and Escape from Alcatraz (1979), featuring Clint Eastwood. Its cinematic legacy adds to its historical significance, though some question its practicality as a prison in the modern era.