On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced plans to reopen Alcatraz Island as a prison, more than 60 years after it closed. The island, located in San Francisco Bay and once home to one of the most famous prisons in the world, is currently a popular tourist attraction.
President Trump shared the news on his social media site, Truth Social. He said he wants Alcatraz to be “enlarged and rebuilt” so it can hold “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.” This move is part of his effort to fight crime in the United States.
Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock,” was first used as a military prison in 1850. It became a high-security prison in 1933 and was known for holding dangerous criminals like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Because it was surrounded by cold water and had strong defenses, people believed it was nearly impossible to escape.
The prison was shut down in 1963. Officials said it was just too expensive to run. Keeping it open cost almost three times more than other prisons, since everything had to be brought in by boat.
Many people now visit Alcatraz to learn about its history. However, President Trump’s new plan could change that. Some leaders are already speaking out against the idea.
Nancy Pelosi, a member of the Democratic Party from San Francisco, called the plan “not a serious one.” Others have also questioned how and when the prison could be reopened.
It is still unclear if or when Trump’s plan will move forward. For now, Alcatraz remains a historic site—and a place full of stories from the past.
