Trump Proposes Reopening Alcatraz as Modern Prison with $152 Million Budget

Sun Apr 05 2026 07:00:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a bold move, former President Donald Trump seeks to allocate $152 million to reopen the infamous Alcatraz prison, raising concerns among California politicians regarding the feasibility and implications of this proposal.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed a budget of $152 million for the 2027 fiscal year to reopen Alcatraz as a state-of-the-art prison, reigniting debates about the practicality and costs associated with running the once-notorious facility. Critics, including Nancy Pelosi, have labeled the plan as absurd and economically wasteful, while supporters argue for the potential benefits of revamping the site. The proposal needs Congressional approval amidst skepticism over the operational challenges on the island.

US President Donald Trump is seeking $152 million (£115 million) to reopen the infamous Alcatraz prison as part of his proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year.

Located near San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, the site, also known as The Rock, was once regarded as one of America's most notorious prisons but has served as a tourist attraction in recent years.

The budget request aims to fund the rebuilding of Alcatraz into a state-of-the-art secure prison facility, covering the initial costs for the first year.

However, the proposal has faced skepticism from various California politicians, particularly concerning the overall costs and the challenges associated with operating Alcatraz as an active prison.

The maximum-security facility was closed in 1963, and it is currently managed by the National Park Service as a tourist site.

Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, criticized the budget proposal, labeling it 'absurd' and suggesting it should be 'rejected outright'. She described the notion of rebuilding Alcatraz into a modern prison as 'stupid' and a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Pelosi also expressed concerns that transforming Alcatraz back into a functioning prison would detract from its status as an iconic landmark.

Furthermore, the proposal's approval is contingent upon US Congressional approval, and critics have pointed out significant logistical issues, including the lack of running water and sewage on the island, with all supplies needing to be transported by boat.

According to the US Bureau of Prisons, Alcatraz was three times more costly to operate than any other federal prison at the time of its closure. The facility currently generates approximately $60 million (£45 million) in revenue as a tourist attraction.

The funds sought for reopening Alcatraz form a part of a larger $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion) investment into the Bureau of Prisons.

Trump previously announced on his platform, Truth Social, his directive for the Bureau of Prisons along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security to 'reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ', intended to house the nation's most dangerous offenders.

Alcatraz has a storied history, having housed infamous criminals like Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and is a notable location in several films, including 'Escape from Alcatraz' and 'The Rock'.