Former President Donald Trump has unveiled a controversial proposal to reopen the historic Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay, aiming to house the nation’s most violent and repeat offenders. Once a notorious facility, Alcatraz was closed in 1963 due to high operational costs and is now a popular tourist site. Under Trump’s plan, the prison would be restructured and expanded to meet modern security needs for high-risk inmates.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump framed the proposal as a return to a tougher approach on crime. “We used to know how to deal with dangerous criminals—keep them far away from society,” he wrote. The former president also revealed that he had instructed federal agencies to take steps toward reopening the prison to accommodate some of the country’s most dangerous criminals.

California Officials and Civil Rights Groups Push Back

The proposal quickly drew backlash from political leaders and civil rights advocates, particularly in California. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed the plan as “not a serious initiative,” pointing out that Alcatraz is a protected national landmark. California State Senator Scott Wiener also expressed strong opposition, labeling the idea as an attempt to establish a “gulag in the middle of San Francisco Bay.” He called the proposal both extreme and legally unfeasible.

Civil rights attorney Scott Hechinger criticized the plan, arguing that it was a “headline-grabbing distraction” that disregarded successful community-based crime prevention programs. Hechinger also pointed out that the Trump administration had previously pushed for budget cuts to these programs, which focus on addressing the root causes of crime. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office sarcastically responded, calling it “Distraction Day again in Washington.”

Alcatraz’s Troubling Legacy and Historical Significance

Alcatraz, which was in operation from 1934 to 1963, has a complicated legacy. The prison was infamous for its harsh conditions, frequent escape attempts (though none were successful), and the incarceration of notorious criminals such as mobster Al Capone and gangster “Machine Gun” Kelly. However, the facility was closed after just 29 years, partly due to its high costs, including the need for weekly water shipments.

The island also holds significant cultural and historical importance for Native Americans. In 1895, Hopi parents were imprisoned at Alcatraz for resisting forced assimilation, and in 1969, Indigenous activists occupied the island for 18 months. They declared Alcatraz Native land as part of a protest against broken treaties and cultural erasure. Today, the island is managed by the National Park Service and is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors who come to explore its dark history.

Questions Surround Feasibility and Motivations

While Trump has since described the Alcatraz plan as “just an idea,” it aligns with his broader criminal justice approach: advocating for more incarceration and focusing less on rehabilitation. His administration previously floated the idea of transferring U.S. detainees to high-security prisons in countries like El Salvador, a suggestion that raised serious human rights concerns.

Despite some support from allies like Representative Markwayne Mullin, who stated that inmates should not be concerned with “comfort,” experts are skeptical that the Alcatraz proposal will move forward. Legal restrictions, logistical challenges, and widespread public opposition could prevent the idea from becoming a reality. Critics argue that the plan is more about creating political optics than offering real solutions to the country’s crime problem.

Trump’s proposal has sparked a broader debate on criminal justice reform in the U.S., with many questioning the long-term effectiveness of punitive measures in addressing crime. Instead, experts emphasize the importance of comprehensive solutions that focus on rehabilitation, mental health support, and community-based crime prevention.

While the idea of reopening Alcatraz has captured the public’s attention, the proposal is met with significant opposition and skepticism. Legal hurdles, logistical challenges, and the island’s deep historical connections make the plan difficult to implement. As the debate continues, the focus on criminal justice reform in the U.S. is likely to intensify, with calls for more balanced approaches that prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration.