Trump's Alcatraz Prison Plan Met with Skepticism

US President Donald Trump has proposed reopening Alcatraz prison, a historic landmark in San Francisco Bay, to house dangerous inmates and symbolize law and order. However, experts say refurbishing the dilapidated prison is "not realistic at all" due to its poor condition, lack of security upgrades, and high operating costs. Alcatraz was closed in 1963 because it was nearly three times more expensive to operate than other federal prisons. Historians and prison experts point out that the facility's infrastructure, including water, sewage, and electricity, would need significant upgrades, and that costs could rise to over $500 per inmate. The plan has been met with skepticism, with some calling it a "joke."

The idea of reopening Alcatraz as a federal prison is a metaphor for Donald Trump's second term, reflecting his hardline stance on crime and immigration. Trump has suggested recommissioning the notorious island prison, which was closed in 1963, to house violent offenders, drawing parallels with his own self-styled strongman image. Despite being impractical and likely to be met with significant opposition and legal challenges, the plan aligns with Trump's penchant for macho spectacle and disregard for political correctness, echoing his previous attempts to send undocumented migrants to Guantanamo Bay. The proposal is seen as a symbol of Trump's leadership style, which has been characterized by authoritarian overtones, theatricality, and a focus on law and order, with critics likening it to a bleak gulag that revives a less enlightened age.

President Trump proposed reviving Alcatraz Island as a federal prison, sparking criticism from tourists and San Francisco officials. The island, a National Historic Landmark since 1986, has been a popular tourist destination since its closure as a prison in 1963, attracting 1.4 million visitors annually. Trump's plan was met with skepticism, with many tourists and locals deeming it impractical and unnecessary due to the island's deteriorated state and high maintenance costs. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie called the idea "not a serious proposal," while Rafael Mandelman, president of the Board of Supervisors, described it as "typically absurd." The Trump administration indicated it would assess the feasibility of reopening Alcatraz, but many believe the plan is unlikely to come to fruition.