SAN FRANCISCO—There has been recent discussion about reopening Alcatraz as a prison, primarily spurred by President Trump’s publicly stated wishes to rebuild and reopen the historic site to house America’s “most ruthless and violent offenders.” Trump has asked the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI and Homeland Security to examine the potential of reopening the facility as an active correctional facility.
However, there are some major likely obstacles to this goal, including:
- Major costs: Estimates indicate an upfront cost of $370 million and yearly expenses of $60 million to operate and maintain the prison;
- Infrastructure challenges: Alcatraz was originally closed in 1963 due to crumbling infrastructure and high maintenance costs. There is a high probability that the existing buildings would need to be entirely removed and replaced with brand-new structures and related infrastructure; and
- Political and legal disagreement: Many criminal justice advocates will argue that the emphasis should be on reducing incarceration rather than reopening old prisons.
While Trump has publicly advocated for the reopening, experts believe it is unlikely to happen—at least anytime soon—due to the logistical and financial hurdles involved.
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay has a storied history that includes being initially designated for military use in 1850; it became a military prison before its transformation into a federal penitentiary in 1934.
‘The Rock’ is known for housing some of America’s most infamous criminals, including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Notorious for its stark conditions, Alcatraz was touted for its supposed inescapability, though in 1962 a trio of inmates possibly pulled off a daring escape, but their actual fates were never determined.
The prison officially closed in 1963 and has now been a popular tourist destination for decades.
