Alcatraz, a notorious federal prison based on a small island in California, has been closed for more than 60 years, according to President Donald Trump, who has ordered officials to rebuild and reopen it.
Trump stated in a statement on his Truth Social website on Sunday that he is “directing the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a significantly expanded and rebuilt ALCATRAZ” to house the country’s “most ruthless and violent Offenders.”
The Republican’s most recent effort to change the conditions in which federal prisoners and immigration detainees are housed.
His administration has been tampering with the judiciary after using an 18th-century law, which was only used during the wartime, to deport people it claims are criminals and gang members without due process.
Trump has also repeatedly argued against the legality of transferring US citizens who have committed violent crimes to the CECOT prison in El Salvador.
Trump, who was speaking to reporters after spending a weekend in Florida, said reopening Alcatraz was “just an idea I’ve had” as a result of his outcry against “radicalized judges,” who have argued that deported detainees are treated with respect.
He claimed that it represents “the rule of law and order.”
The president made the comments after an interview where he claimed he “didn’t know” whether Americans are entitled to the same level of legal protections as Americans as mandated by the US Constitution.
The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees “due process of law,” which refers to a person’s legal protections when facing a criminal charge. Additionally, the 14th Amendment states that no state is able to “deny equal protection of the laws to anyone within its jurisdiction.”
Not a serious suggestion, in my opinion.
Given its location, frigid waters, and strong currents, Alcatraz was hailed as the US’s safest prison.
Despite the fact that five of the prisoners are listed as “missing and presumed drowned,” none of their successful escapes from Alcatraz were ever officially documented during the 29 years it was in operation. Overall, 36 men made 14 different escape attempts.
Due to high repair and supply costs and deteriorating infrastructure, the prison, which has been the subject of numerous films, was shut down in 1963. Everything had to be brought by boat.
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website, its operation cost nearly three times as much as any other federal prison.
At a time when the BOP has been closing prisons due to similar infrastructure issues, making significant investments would be required to bring the facility up to modern standards.
The National Park Service maintains and designated Alcatraz Island as a significant tourist destination.
The prison’s reopening after so long was questioned by former California Democrat Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes the island.
