The Trump administration is taking formal steps to restore Alcatraz Island to its historical role as an active federal prison.
In the proposed 2027 fiscal year budget released on Friday, the White House requested $152 million from Congress to begin converting the iconic San Francisco Bay tourist destination back into a functioning penitentiary.
According to reports from Reuters and The New York Times, this requested funding would cover the initial phase of rebuilding the island into a “state-of-the-art secure prison facility.” While the island has functioned as a museum and National Historic Landmark since closing in 1963, the proposed project would integrate the site back into the Bureau of Prisons network.
This specific request is part of a wider $5 billion initiative by the White House to address what it describes as “crumbling detention facilities” throughout the country.
Trump, first signaled his intent to revive the prison in a May 2025 post on Truth Social, arguing that the country needed to return to stricter enforcement. “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering,” he wrote at the time.
In detailing his vision, he added, “When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”
Trump stated his intent to “reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.”
The proposal has already drawn sharp criticism from California political figures and community leaders. Nancy Pelosi, 86, voiced strong opposition to the plan in a statement, calling the project a misuse of resources. “Rebuilding Alcatraz into a modern prison is a stupid notion that would be nothing more than a waste of taxpayer dollars and an insult to the intelligence of the American people,” Pelosi said.
Beyond the political pushback, local stakeholders have expressed concern over the potential loss of tourism revenue currently generated by the site.
