A three-story ferry sets sail from Pier 33 in San Francisco, California, slicing through the bone-chilling waters of San Francisco Bay towards a desolate island over a mile away. This isolated fortress, once the highest security prison, stands atop the weather-beaten rocks of Alcatraz Island like an ancient Acropolis.
The concrete walls of this structure seem to hold many secrets, with vacant rooftops and watchtowers hosting clusters of cormorants and seagulls, claiming this territory as their own. The ferry docks at the prison pier, swarmed by a group of black flies, as curious passengers hurry towards the gathering area.
A guide from the National Park Service is ready to unveil the hidden stories of the 22-acre island, once home to America’s most infamous prison. Alcatraz Island always seems to be in need of repairs, with various damages requiring frequent maintenance.
Decades ago, notorious criminals like Chicago mob boss Al Capone (1899-1947) and Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (1929-2018) considered Alcatraz their home. President Donald Trump proposed reopening Alcatraz as a federal prison for the nation’s most dangerous criminals, aiming to symbolize American law and order prominently.
“Rebuild and reopen Alcatraz Prison!” President Trump posted in all-caps on the Truth Social platform on May 4. He expressed concerns about violent and unrepentant criminals plaguing the country, advocating for strong measures to prevent further harm to society.
President Trump requested multiple government agencies to assess the feasibility and affordability of reactivating Alcatraz Prison. The facility currently spans 960,000 square feet, nearly the size of 17 football fields.
The Bureau of Prisons informed the Epoch Times that they are progressing, evaluating, and planning actions needed to reactivate and operate Alcatraz Prison. Director William Marshall III stated their commitment to supporting the President’s plan but refrained from disclosing further details.
As of the time of writing, the National Park Service had not responded to inquiries seeking comments from the Epoch Times. In June, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited Alcatraz to explore the possibility of reopening the high-security prison.
At present, Alcatraz serves as a national historic site and a tourist attraction managed by the National Park Service under the Department of the Interior. During their visit, officials inspected the mid-19th-century prison, along with facilities like the dock, power station, and industrial buildings on the island.
They toured the cells of Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, overseeing the parade grounds. Burgum emphasized the current administration’s dedication to law enforcement and combating rampant violent crimes in society.
These inspections followed the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by President Trump on July 4, providing $1.7 trillion for border security, energy development, and proposed tax reductions. Senator Markwayne Mullin expressed support for President Trump’s plan, advocating for high-security prisons on both the east and west coasts.
In 2019, New York City announced plans to close all prisons on Rikers Island by 2027, replacing them with smaller institutions. Currently, Rikers Island incarcerates approximately 7,000 inmates.
Some California Democrats argue that reopening Alcatraz as a prison is financially burdensome and impractical. Congressman Jared Huffman stated that no one in the National Park Service views it as a good idea, highlighting the financial and reputational losses from closing a popular tourist destination.
Alcatraz Island attracts over 1.2 million visitors annually, generating more than $60 million in revenue. Questions posed to the California Office of Tourism regarding the economic impact of the remodeling projects and potential income loss remained unanswered.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy opposed President Trump’s plan, emphasizing the island’s significance as a tourist destination rather than a prison. The association’s CEO Christine Lehnertz stressed the importance of preserving Alcatraz as a global reflection site for learning and growth.