Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to rebuild and reopen the legendary Alcatraz prison, once home to some of the country’s most dangerous criminals, including Al Capone, before it was shut down in 1963.
Trump said he has directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons, in coordination with the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security, to bring back Alcatraz in a “substantially rebuilt and expanded” version of the historic penitentiary.
“REBUILD AND REOPEN ALCATRAZ!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, as reported by Reuters. “When we were a more serious country, we didn’t hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals and keep them away from anyone they could harm.”
Alcatraz, located on a small island in San Francisco Bay, was once considered the most secure federal prison in the United States due to its isolated location, frigid waters, and strong ocean currents. It held some of the nation’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone, before closing due to high operational costs.
The prison was considered escape-proof, and though five inmates were declared missing and presumed drowned, no successful escapes were ever officially recorded.
Trump said the revival of Alcatraz would be aimed at detaining “the most brutal and dangerous offenders in America,” framing the move as part of his broader law-and-order agenda, a central theme of his political messaging.
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The proposal was met with swift criticism from Democratic leaders. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a veteran lawmaker from California, dismissed the idea outright.
“Alcatraz was closed as a federal prison over six decades ago. It is now a beloved national park and major tourist destination,” Pelosi posted on X. “The President’s proposal is not a serious one.”
Today, Alcatraz operates as one of San Francisco’s top tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors annually. The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ official website states that the facility was shut down primarily due to its high maintenance and operational costs, which were nearly triple those of other federal prisons because of its remote island location.
Turning Alcatraz back into a high-security prison would not only reshape a historic landmark but also require massive financial investment and face likely public opposition and legal hurdles.
(Raidi/Agung)
