President Trump said Sunday that he is ordering the reopening of the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the historic prison offshore from San Francisco that closed more than 60 years ago.
“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be. No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets. That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders,” he added.
The island, which sits less than 2 miles offshore, was first developed in the mid-19th century, with the original structures including a lighthouse.
Notable figures including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly were once held at Alcatraz, which was a federal prison between 1934 and 1963. The National Park Service, which now oversees its facilities, describes the prison as “the federal government‘s response to post-Prohibition, post-Depression America.”
“Both the institution and the men confined within its walls reflect our society during this era,” the National Park Service adds on a webpage about the prison, which was also known as the Rock and gave that name to a popular Michael Bay action film set on the island.
In his Sunday post, Trump said Alcatraz’s “reopening” is going to “serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE.”
“We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he added.
The Bureau of Prisons notes on its website that “USP [United States Penitentiary] Alcatraz closed after 29 years of operation” due to soaring costs.
“An estimated $3-5 million was needed just for restoration and maintenance work to keep the prison open. That figure did not include daily operating costs — Alcatraz was nearly three times more expensive to operate than any other Federal prison,” the bureau says.