Trump Orders Rebuilding and Reopening of Alcatraz to House Violent Offenders

 Former President Donald Trump announced plans to reopen and significantly expand the defunct Alcatraz federal prison, which has been closed for more than 60 years.  In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he is directing multiple federal agencies to restore the facility to house the nation's most violent criminals.

 Trump wrote in a post, "I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a significantly enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America's most ruthless and violent Offenders." "The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE," he added later. The National Park Service, which currently manages the island as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, did not respond to requests for comment, and Trump did not specify a timeline for the project. Alcatraz, known as “The Rock,” opened in 1934 and quickly gained notoriety for housing some of America’s most dangerous inmates, including mob boss Al Capone.  In order to distinguish high-risk inmates from the general population, it was constructed as a facility for the most recalcitrant inmates. In 1963, then-Attorney General Robert F. closed the prison. Kennedy, primarily as a result of the high operating expenses. Because of the island's isolation, everything—food, fuel, and nearly a million gallons of water per week—had to be transported by boat. Alcatraz was nearly three times more expensive to run than any other federal prison at the time. Alcatraz has been a museum and historical site since 1973. It is described by the National Park Service as a symbol of the federal government's efforts to combat the post-Prohibition and Great Depression waves of crime. Additionally, the prison was a model for high-security facilities like Marion, Illinois's. Historically, the island has hosted a wide range of prisoners, including Confederate captives during the Civil War, Hopi tribe members in the 1890s, and inmates from the Spanish-American War.  It also served as a military prison and disciplinary barracks prior to becoming a federal penitentiary. Alcatraz's return to use is part of a larger effort by Trump's administration to crack down on crime and illegal immigration. One of his recent controversial ideas was to deport some criminals, including some Americans, to an El Salvadorian maximum security prison. Reviving Alcatraz would likely come at a significant financial cost due to the island’s lack of infrastructure and natural resources.  Despite this, Trump gives the impression that he is committed to the symbolic significance of reopening the prison and portraying it as a renewed federal commitment to law enforcement.