Donald Trump orders reopening of Alcatraz prison island near San Francisco

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has instructed his administration to rebuild and reopen the infamous Alcatraz prison on the island near San Francisco. Trump wants the facility, which was shut down in 1963, to house the nation's most dangerous criminals.

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05 may 2025   |   07:55   |   Source: PAP / Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Pixabay

fot. Pixabay

– Rebuild and reopen Alcatraz wrote Trump in a post on the Truth Social platform.

– For far too long, America has been plagued by cruel, violent criminals and repeat offenders, outcasts of society who will never contribute anything but misery and suffering. When we were a more serious nation, in the past, we did not hesitate to lock away our most dangerous offenders and keep them away from anyone they might harm. That’s exactly how it should be – added the US President.

Trump said he had directed the Bureau of Prisons, the FBI, and the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to reopen a significantly expanded and rebuilt Alcatraz in order to detain the most ruthless and violent criminals.

– We will no longer be hostages to criminals, thugs, and judges who are too afraid to do their jobs and who prevent us from deporting the offenders who entered our country illegally. The reopening of ALCATRAZ will be a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE – declared the President.

The legendary prison, built on a small island in San Francisco Bay, was shut down in 1963 partly due to high operating costs. Today, it serves as a tourist attraction and museum managed by the National Park Service.

Alcatraz is famous from numerous films and books and once housed some of the most notorious criminals, including mob boss Al Capone. According to the Associated Press, during its 29 years of operation, there were 14 escape attempts, with nearly all escapees either captured or killed.

It remains unclear how feasible Trump's demand is in practice, but the Bureau of Prisons has stated it will comply with all presidential orders. The President later told reporters the idea came to him spontaneously, in response to legal resistance from judges blocking his mass deportation efforts.

– We have so many radicalized judges who want trials for every single person who is in our country illegally – Trump said.

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Kamil Kusier
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