Trump Proposes $152 Million to Reopen Alcatraz as a Modern Prison

Sat Apr 04 2026 11:12:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Former President Donald Trump requests substantial funding to transform the historic Alcatraz prison into a state-of-the-art facility, raising concerns among local politicians and citizens.

Donald Trump has announced a budget proposal of $152 million to renovate Alcatraz prison into a modernized facility, reviving discussions about its feasibility, costs, and potential loss of the landmark's historical status. Critics, including former politicians like Nancy Pelosi, have voiced strong opposition to the plan, questioning its practicality amidst significant logistical challenges.

Former 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 is seeking money to rebuild Alcatraz as a state-of-the-art secure prison facility, with funds covering the first year of costs.

The plan has been met with skepticism by a number of politicians in California, with questions raised about the final cost of the project and the challenges of running Alcatraz as an active prison.

The maximum security facility was closed in 1963. As a tourist site, it is currently run by the National Park Service.

Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, criticized the proposal as absurd on its face and should be rejected outright, labeling it a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Pelosi noted concerns that converting Alcatraz back into a functioning prison would lead to the loss of an iconic landmark that currently generates about $60 million (£45 million) in tourism revenue each year.

The budget request, which is part of a larger $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion) investment in the Bureau of Prisons, will require the approval of Congress.

Critics of Trump’s plan have pointed out the logistical challenges, including Alcatraz's lack of running water and sewage systems, as well as the island's reliance on boats for supplies. Additionally, operating costs were three times higher than other federal prisons before its closure.

Trump’s announcement on Truth Social last year proposed reopening a substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz to house America's most ruthless and violent offenders. Historically, Alcatraz housed notorious criminals such as Al Capone and Mickey Cohen before it closed its doors in 1963.

Alcatraz has also been depicted in various films, including the 1962 classic Birdman of Alcatraz and the more recent 1996 action film The Rock starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage.