Former President Donald Trump has requested $152 million in federal funding to transform the historic Alcatraz Island from a popular tourist destination back into an operational maximum-security prison. The proposal, included in his budget plan for the 2027 fiscal year, aims to create a "state-of-the-art secure prison facility" on the island famously known as "The Rock."
Located in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz operated as a federal penitentiary from 1934 until its closure in 1963, housing notorious criminals like Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Since 1972, it has been managed by the National Park Service as a museum and attraction, generating approximately $60 million annually from visitors.
Trump announced the initiative on Truth Social last year, stating he was directing multiple federal agencies to "reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ" to incarcerate "America's most ruthless and violent offenders." The $152 million would cover initial reconstruction costs as part of a broader $1.7 billion investment in the Bureau of Prisons.
"Rebuilding Alcatraz into a modern prison is a stupid notion that would be nothing more than a waste of taxpayer dollars and an insult to the intelligence of the American people," said former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco.
The plan faces significant logistical and political hurdles. Critics highlight the island's lack of running water and sewage systems, requiring all supplies to be transported by boat—factors that made Alcatraz three times more expensive to operate than other federal prisons before its closure. California politicians have also expressed concerns about losing a cultural landmark that draws over a million visitors yearly.
The budget request requires Congressional approval, where it is expected to encounter substantial opposition from lawmakers questioning both its practicality and fiscal responsibility.