President Donald Trump on Monday called for the rebuilding and reopening of the infamous Alcatraz prison, as part of a broader crackdown on violent crime. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” and criticised “vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders” as “the dregs of society.”
He argued that when the US was a “more serious Nation”, dangerous criminals were locked away without hesitation, adding, “That’s the way it’s supposed to be.” Trump announced he is directing the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security to reopen a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ” to house the country’s most dangerous offenders.
Often referred to as “The Rock,” Alcatraz was one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in the United States, housing criminals like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Located on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay, it operated from 1934 until 1963 before closing due to high maintenance costs and logistical challenges.
Here are 10 things to know about Alcatraz:
- The name Alcatraz comes from the Spanish “Alcatraces,” meaning pelicans or strange birds. It was named by explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775. In 1850, the island was set aside for military use and became part of a “triangle of defence” for San Francisco Bay. It also housed the West Coast’s first lighthouse.
- The US Army built a fortress on the island in the 1850s and later used it as a military prison. Between 1909 and 1911, prisoners themselves helped construct a new prison building.
- Alcatraz became a federal penitentiary in 1934, intended for the “worst of the worst” prisoners—those who caused trouble in other federal facilities.
- Notable inmates included mob boss Al Capone, kidnapper George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and murderer Robert Stroud, known as the Birdman of Alcatraz.
- Conditions were harsh. Most cells were just 9 feet by 5 feet, with minimal furnishings. However, inmates did receive hot showers and were fed some of the best meals in the US prison system.
- The most famous escape attempt happened in 1962 when Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin vanished from their cells. They used a raft made of raincoats. Though presumed drowned, no bodies were ever found.
- Alcatraz was a self-contained community. Around 300 civilians, including guards and their families, lived on the island. Children who lived there took a boat to school on the mainland daily.
- The prison closed in 1963, not due to an escape, but because of its extreme operating costs. It was three times more expensive to run than other federal prisons.
- After closure, the island saw an occupation by Native American activists in 1969, which lasted 19 months and ended in a federal eviction.
- Today, Alcatraz is a major tourist attraction, drawing around 1.4 million visitors each year. It is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and includes historic buildings, gardens, and a lighthouse
