Trump’s stunning plan to reopen Alcatraz as a prison sparks woke outrage
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is proposing that the historic prison on Alcatraz Island be brought back into operation, restoring the facility as a maximum-security lockup that once had a reputation for being nearly impossible to escape.
A budget proposal sent to Congress on Friday includes a request for $152 million to begin turning the long-closed prison into what officials describe as a modern, high-security detention facility.
The administration first began studying the idea in 2025. Those early reviews examined whether the island could again function as a federal prison designed to hold violent criminals and undocumented immigrants. Trump has personally supported the concept, writing on Truth Social in May that Alcatraz should be rebuilt and reopened. In the post, he described the island as intimidating and surrounded by sharks, adding that the prison would serve as a powerful symbol.
The president’s proposed 2027 budget sets aside $152 million for the initial stage of rebuilding the prison complex in San Francisco Bay. Any funding for the project would still require approval from Congress.
Several California politicians strongly criticized the proposal.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi dismissed the plan, saying the idea of reconstructing Alcatraz as a modern prison does not make sense and would squander taxpayer money. She said she plans to work with other lawmakers to use every procedural and budgetary tool available to stop the project.
State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, who is campaigning to replace Pelosi in Congress, also condemned the proposal. He argued that turning the island back into a prison would destroy a major tourist attraction and represent a massive and unnecessary expense.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie declined to comment on the latest proposal. However, a spokesperson noted that he had previously spoken out against converting Alcatraz back into a prison.
In May 2025, the Bureau of Prisons and the National Park Service conducted an initial assessment to determine whether modern prison infrastructure could realistically be developed on the island. Two months later, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum traveled to Alcatraz to review the site in person. After touring the facility, Bondi described it as an impressive location.
Alcatraz stopped operating as a federal prison in 1963 and has since become a well-known tourist destination as well as a protected bird habitat.
Often called “The Rock,” the prison once held several notorious criminals, including Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Robert Stroud — known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz” — and James “Whitey” Bulger. Today the island primarily attracts visitors who tour the former prison cells and museum displays.
According to the National Park Service, roughly 1.2 million people visit Alcatraz Island each year, producing about $60 million in annual revenue.
The prison originally opened in 1934 and was designed to house 336 inmates. At most times, the population ranged between about 260 and 275 prisoners.
Because the prison sat on a small, rocky island surrounded by cold water and strong currents, escape attempts were extremely difficult. In total, 36 prisoners attempted to break out, including two who tried twice. Twenty-three were captured, seven were shot and killed, three drowned, and five disappeared and were never found.
Rebuilding the prison would likely take years and require significant funding. The current structures are deteriorating, and the island lacks a functioning water and sewage system. Everything needed for operations — including food and fuel — would have to be transported by boat.
Trump’s proposed budget also includes $1.5 trillion for the Department of War, $19 billion for federal law enforcement, and reductions to spending on certain environmental and social programs.
Other notable items in the budget include $1 billion allocated for restoration efforts at the Great Salt Lake and $30 million for the Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence Initiative.
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