President Donald Trump is seeking $152 million in federal funds to begin the restoration and reoccupation of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, America’s most infamous prison.
If the proposal which appears in initial budget discussions goes through, the island that has served as a tourist attraction for many decades would be converted back to a high-security federal prison.
From 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz was home to the United States’ most violent and troublesome convicts, including George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Al Capone. The prison was designed and built to contain inmates who continually caused trouble at other penal facilities.
wealthy oil magnate in 1933. | FBI
The prison relied heavily on its isolation. The chilly, rough waters of San Francisco Bay surrounding Alcatraz made it one of the toughest, most escape-proof prisons in American history. Technology played a minor role compared to the natural deterrent of the harsh elements.
Trump has advocated for the reopening as part of a law and order agenda, proposing that the notorious penitentiary be used once more to hold America’s most dangerous criminals.
The prison was shut down in 1963 due to high operational costs. Operating Alcatraz required constant boat traffic to bring water, food, and fuel to the island, which proved to be an expensive undertaking compared to mainland prisons.
The National Park Service currently maintains the island, which draws over a million tourists annually, making it one of California’s most popular tourist destinations.
The initial $152 million request would cover only the initial stage of the renovation. The full redevelopment is estimated to cost billions of dollars.
Some, including officials from the state of California, believe that Alcatraz, even if refurbished, could not compare with modern high-security prisons, or “supermaxes” like ADX Florence. They point to the fact that advanced technologies-like the intensive monitoring and isolation systems at these high-tech facilities-could never be integrated into an Alcatraz prison structure.
Others disagree, suggesting that the Alcatraz’s isolated location and imposing history make it the ideal location for holding high-risk inmates and an excellent deterrent.
The $152 million request is likely to face opposition from many as Congress looks into the government’s federal spending habits over the next few months.
