President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has ordered the reopening and expansion of the federal prison facility on Alcatraz Island, aiming to house what he called “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders.”
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said he directed the Bureau of Prisons to coordinate with the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security reopening and expansion of Alcatraz. The renewed facility would serve as a high-security detention center for repeat violent criminals and individuals in the country illegally.
“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders,” Trump wrote. “No longer will we tolerate these serial offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”
He also criticized judges who, in his view, hesitate to enforce immigration and criminal laws, suggesting that a revitalized Alcatraz would stand as a strong symbol of law and order.
Alcatraz, located in San Francisco Bay, served as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963. It once held notorious criminals such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. It was closed due to the high costs of operation and the physical deterioration caused by constant exposure to saltwater. Today, the island is a well-known historic site and tourist attraction.
Trump’s plan to bring Alcatraz back into use marks a bold return to tough-on-crime policies, drawing both support and criticism from different corners of the political spectrum.
Scroll down to make share your thoughts on the article:
You can post as a guest (no registration required); or post with a registered account by creating one in the comment section.