Apr 04, 2026, 07:02Apr 04, 2026, 07:02
US President Donald Trump wants to include funds in the 2027 budget to reopen the notorious Alcatraz prison. According to a draft budget published by the White House, 152 million dollars (around 132 million euros) will be made available for project planning. It says Alcatraz should be converted into a state-of-the-art prison. The government’s budget plan is presented to the US Parliament, which ultimately decides.
Donald Trump visits Alcatraz. Image: keystone
From 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz, located on an island in San Francisco Bay, was the most feared prison in the United States. The rocky island “The Rock” was considered escape-proof – and a place of exile for the “worst of the worst”. This included, among others, the gangster legend Al Capone.
The reason for the closure in 1963 was, among other things, the high operating costs. Water and food had to be brought to the island by boat. In the harsh sea air, the old buildings increasingly fell into disrepair.
In 1972 Alcatraz was opened to visitors. Today the former prison is a popular tourist destination. The island is a protected monument and nature conservation area as a museum and breeding ground for many birds.
Trump: Alcatraz as a symbol of law and order
Last May, Trump spoke of putting Alcatraz back into operation to lock up serious criminals there. The Republican said he was directing authorities to “reopen an enlarged and remodeled Alcatraz to house America’s most ruthless and violent criminals.” Alcatraz should serve as a symbol of law and order. He did not give details of the ambitious project.
Experts estimate construction costs of up to two billion dollars to renovate the dilapidated facility and put it back into operation. According to the agency that oversees federal prisons, Alcatraz Prison has housed only about 260 to 275 inmates on average over the years. The prison never reached its full capacity of 336 inmates – less than one percent of all federal prisoners were incarcerated there. (sda/dpa)