Bureau of Prisons Begins Assessment of Trump’s Directive to Reopen Alcatraz as High-Security Prison
San Francisco, California – May 5, 2025 – The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has initiated an immediate assessment to evaluate President Donald Trump’s directive to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz, the infamous former federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, as a facility to house “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.” Trump’s announcement, made via Truth Social on May 4, 2025, has sparked debate over feasibility, costs, and legality, with critics like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissing it as “not serious.” The BOP’s new director, William K. Marshall III, stated the agency will “vigorously pursue all avenues” to implement Trump’s agenda, but significant logistical and financial hurdles loom.
Trump’s Directive and Rationale
In his Truth Social post, Trump called for a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” Alcatraz to serve as a “symbol of law, order, and justice.” He argued that the U.S. has been “plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders” and criticized “radicalized judges” for insisting on due process for deportations. Trump directed the BOP, Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collaborate on the project, framing it as part of his broader push for tougher crime and immigration policies. The directive aligns with other controversial proposals, including deporting alleged gang members to El Salvador’s CECOT prison without due process and opening a Guantanamo Bay detention center for up to 30,000 “criminal aliens.”
Speaking to reporters on May 4, Trump described the idea as a response to judicial resistance, calling Alcatraz “a sad symbol, but a symbol of law and order” with “quite a history.” The proposal echoes a suggestion by Donald Trump Jr. in January 2025, following Trump’s executive order to send migrants to Guantanamo Bay.
BOP’s Response and Assessment
BOP Director William K. Marshall III, sworn in April 2025, issued a statement on May 5, affirming the agency’s commitment to Trump’s agenda. “I have ordered an immediate assessment to determine our needs and the next steps,” Marshall said, noting Alcatraz’s “rich history” and potential to restore a “powerful symbol of law, order, and justice.” A BOP spokesperson told The Associated Press that the agency “will comply with all presidential orders” but did not address specifics on feasibility or the National Park Service’s (NPS) control of the island.
The BOP faces significant challenges:
- Infrastructure Costs: Alcatraz closed in 1963 due to crumbling facilities and high operating costs, estimated at three times those of other federal prisons. In 1959, its daily per capita cost was $10.10 compared to $3.00 for Atlanta’s federal prison. Restoration in 1963 was projected at $3–5 million, excluding daily expenses, with all supplies, including water, requiring boat transport. Modernizing the facility to meet 21st-century standards—earthquake retrofitting, hazardous material abatement, and advanced security—could cost $175–250 million initially, with annual operating costs of $70–75 million.
- Current BOP Struggles: The BOP, managing 156,254 inmates across 120 facilities, faces a $2 billion repair backlog and has closed several prisons due to infrastructure issues. A new prison in Kentucky is under construction, but budget constraints and recent crises, like Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 suicide, have strained resources.
- Jurisdictional Issues: Since 1972, Alcatraz has been part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managed by the NPS, hosting over 1.4 million visitors annually. The NPS awarded a $50 million contract in 2024 to address structural deficiencies, with work ongoing until 2027. Reverting the island to a prison would require congressional action to transfer control from the NPS to the BOP.
Historical Context of Alcatraz
Alcatraz, nicknamed “The Rock,” operated as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, housing notorious criminals like Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” Designed as a maximum-security, minimum-privilege facility, it held about 260–275 inmates—less than 1% of the federal prison population—focusing on “incorrigible” inmates and escape risks. Its isolated location, 1.25 miles from shore, and frigid, current-swept waters made it “inescapable,” with no confirmed successful escapes, though five inmates, including Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, are listed as “missing and presumed drowned” after a 1962 attempt.
The prison’s closure stemmed from its high costs—exacerbated by the need to barge in all supplies—and deteriorating infrastructure. After 1963, the island was briefly occupied by Native American activists from 1969 to 1971, claiming it as tribal land, before becoming a national park in 1973. Its cultural significance, featured in films like Escape from Alcatraz (1979) and The Rock (1996), drives its tourism appeal.
Political and Public Reactions
- Critics: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes Alcatraz, called the proposal “not serious,” noting its status as a national park and tourist attraction. California Democratic Senator Scott Wiener labeled it “deeply unhinged” and an “attack on the rule of law,” warning of a “domestic gulag” in San Francisco Bay. Governor Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson dismissed it as a “distraction.”
- Supporters: The directive resonates with Trump’s base, with posts on X like @TheDebriefing17 praising Alcatraz’s “no escape” symbolism and military-run potential. @dogeai_gov supported the concept but urged fiscal oversight to avoid waste.
- Analysts: Elizabeth Neumann, former DHS deputy chief of staff, told ABC News that reopening Alcatraz would be “a lot of money” given the BOP’s existing issues and San Francisco’s high living costs. Social media commentator Brian Krassenstein called it “the dumbest proposal,” citing the astronomical costs and logistical challenges.
Broader Policy Context
Trump’s Alcatraz directive is part of a punitive criminal justice agenda, including:
- Deportation Policies: Invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members, a move ruled unlawful by a Texas judge in April 2025.
- Foreign Prisons: Proposals to send U.S. citizens to El Salvador’s CECOT and other foreign facilities, raising constitutional concerns over due process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
- Immigration Detention: Plans for a Guantanamo Bay facility to hold 30,000 “criminal aliens,” facing legal and cost-related pushback.
These policies have clashed with courts, with Trump’s comments questioning due process rights drawing criticism. The Alcatraz proposal appears tied to his frustration with judicial oversight, as he told reporters it stems from “radicalized judges” insisting on trials for deportees.
Feasibility and Challenges
Reopening Alcatraz faces significant obstacles:
- Economic: The BOP’s budget constraints and the island’s high operating costs make the project a financial burden. Modern facilities like Florence, Colorado, and Terre Haute, Indiana, already serve Alcatraz’s high-security functions.
- Legal: Transferring control from the NPS requires legislative approval, and any prison must meet modern standards for inmate treatment, complicating retrofitting.
- Practical: The island’s infrastructure, designed for 300 inmates, would need massive upgrades to accommodate an “enlarged” facility, with no timeline or cost estimates provided.
- Public Opposition: San Francisco’s Democratic leadership and tourism stakeholders, including the NPS, are likely to resist, given Alcatraz’s economic value as a landmark.
Current Sentiment
Posts on X reflect polarized views. Supporters see Alcatraz as a potent symbol of Trump’s “law and order” agenda, with @abcactionnews quoting his directive and @KRDO_13 noting the DOJ’s claim that the BOP is “working towards” reopening. Critics, like @grok, highlight logistical barriers and the lack of evidence for pre-construction, emphasizing its current role as a national park. The debate underscores broader divisions over Trump’s criminal justice and immigration policies.
Conclusion
The BOP is assessing Trump’s directive to reopen Alcatraz, but the proposal faces daunting financial, logistical, and legal challenges. Estimated costs of $175–250 million for restoration and $70–75 million annually for operations, coupled with the island’s NPS status and the BOP’s existing strains, cast doubt on its feasibility. While Trump frames it as a symbol of toughness on crime, critics argue it’s an impractical distraction from more pressing correctional needs. The BOP’s assessment, underway as of May 5, 2025, will determine next steps, but significant hurdles remain before “The Rock” could return as a prison.