On May 4, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly outlined a proposal to reopen and expand the federal prison facility on Alcatraz Island, citing a renewed commitment to stringent law enforcement and public safety.
In a statement released via his social media platform, Trump described the initiative as a response to what he characterized as a surge in violent crime and repeat offenders across the country. He emphasized a return to more punitive criminal justice policies, referencing past practices when the U.S., in his view, more decisively detained individuals deemed dangerous to society.
Trump stated that the reconstructed facility would be intended to house what he termed “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.” He further criticized elements of the current legal system, including judiciary decisions he believes hinder law enforcement from effectively removing dangerous individuals from communities.
The proposal includes directives to the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security to take steps toward restoring Alcatraz as a high-security institution. Trump described the move as symbolic of a broader push for “law, order, and justice.”
Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, originally served as a military defense site before being converted into a federal prison in the 1930s. It housed some of the most notorious criminals of the 20th century before closing in 1963. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has previously noted that the facility was shuttered due to prohibitive operating costs, which were significantly higher than those of other institutions due to the island’s isolated location.
While Trump has laid out the vision for a renewed Alcatraz, there are no confirmed details regarding the timeline, feasibility, or cost of such a project.
Source: Mirror UK (https://mirror.co.uk)
