Former President Donald Trump made headlines after he proposed reopening the notorious Alcatraz prison. This facility has become well known for being the home to some of America’s most notorious criminals. Much of Trump’s directive aims to redevelop and expand a prison that’s been closed since 1963. His intention is to renovate it and turn it into a maximum-security facility fit for the nation’s most violent offenders.
Originally constructed as a naval defense fort in the middle of the 19th century, Alcatraz has a long history. During the early 1900s, it was converted into a military stockade. As a result, it quickly gained notoriety as the most brutal prison. High-profile inmates—including mobsters Al Capone, Mickey Cohen, and George “Machine Gun” Kelly—helped to make the prison notorious. Alcatraz closed its doors due to the exorbitant costs of operation. It was nearly three times more expensive than any other federal facility at the time.
Trump’s announcement comes at the same moment that the federal prison population is experiencing a historic drop. It has been down about 25% from its high watermark. Many of today’s existing prisons already have empty beds, which begs the question of why we need to reopen such an iconic institution.
In his initial statement, Trump made the case strongly that we cannot ignore the rising crime plague our states and cities.
“For too long America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders,” – Donald Trump.
He went on to pledge his efforts to return Alcatraz to its status as a supermax prison.
“Today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ,” – Donald Trump.
This reopening of Alcatraz would do Trump’s broader agenda to improve public safety one better. It is an effort that seeks to address crime at its core. Today the site functions primarily as a popular tourist draw, luring visitors with the promise of a profound and enduring place deeply rooted in American history and cultural significance. The 1962 film “Birdman of Alcatraz” sealed its role in American pop culture.
There are passionate proponents of restoring the only historic penitentiary created to house the most dangerous of criminals. Critics have voiced serious concerns about the logistical considerations and morality of re-opening a facility with such a storied past. The decision should be the start of important conversations about criminal justice reform and how to best spend taxpayer dollars in our federal prison system.
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