US President Donald Trump has proposed allocating $152 million (£115 million) to reopen the historic Alcatraz Island as a modern high-security prison under his 2027 fiscal budget plan.
Located near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the site, once one of America’s most notorious prisons, currently operates as a major tourist attraction managed by the National Park Service.
The proposal seeks initial funding to rebuild the facility into a “state-of-the-art secure prison,” forming part of a broader $1.7 billion investment in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The plan, however, requires approval from the US Congress.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from several California leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called the proposal “absurd” and urged lawmakers to reject it outright, citing concerns over feasibility and cost.
Alcatraz, which was shut down in 1963 due to high operational costs, reportedly three times higher than other federal prisons, faces logistical challenges, including lack of fresh water and sewage systems, with all supplies needing to be transported by boat.
Despite its closure, the site remains a major revenue generator, attracting tourists and earning approximately $60 million annually, according to the National Park Service.
Originally a naval defence fort, Alcatraz later served as a military and then federal prison, housing infamous criminals such as Al Capone, Mickey Cohen, and George Kelly.
The island has also been immortalised in popular culture through films like Escape from Alcatraz and The Rock.
