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The iconic Alcatraz prison, in the San Francisco Bay, is making headlines again following the official visit of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, as part of President Donald Trump's plan to reopen the facility and use it as a federal maximum-security prison.
"I spent the day on Alcatraz Island to begin the work of renovation and reopening the site in order to house the most dangerous criminals and illegal immigrants," Burgum wrote on his official X account.
Both officials shared images of their arrival on the island and their tour of the interior of the penitentiary complex, which has been closed since 1963 and has been converted into a national museum.
The photographs show the cells with rusted bars, narrow, where there was only a small space to sleep and a restroom.
Bondi described the day as “a great morning” and emphasized that under the leadership of Trump, “we are making America safe again,” without making any criticism of the controversial measures taken by the president.
Alcatraz, which once housed infamous criminals like Al Capone and Robert Stroud ("the Birdman"), is regarded as an icon of American prison culture.
The order for reopening was announced by Trump in May, who stated that the prison will be used to detain “the worst of the worst,” amid a widespread hardening of his immigration and criminal policies.
According to the president himself, there are already construction companies interested in participating in the rehabilitation of the prison, which is currently operated as a museum by the National Park Service.
Experts in justice and human rights have strongly criticized the initiative, noting that Alcatraz's operating costs were three times higher than those of other federal prisons, one of the key reasons for its closure in the 1960s.
Moreover, organizations that advocate for migrants warn that the reopening of Alcatraz as an active prison symbolizes a punitive setback, joining other recent measures such as the opening of the “Alligator Alcatraz” center in Florida, intended for detained migrants.
For now, no reopening date or details about the renovation work have been confirmed, but already, the famous prison island located in San Francisco Bay is once again becoming a stage for high-stakes political decisions.
Although it is considered a prison from which no one officially escaped, there were 14 attempted escapes involving 36 inmates. Those who tried to flee were either captured or died from the cold water and strong current of the Bay.
The most famous escape was in 1962, when three men (Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers) managed to break out through a tunnel, leaving fake heads in their beds. They were never found and are presumed to have died, although some believe they survived.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Reopening of Alcatraz Prison
Why does Donald Trump want to reopen Alcatraz prison?
Donald Trump seeks to reopen Alcatraz as a symbol of "law and order." In his speech, Trump emphasized the need for a tough-on-crime and illegal immigration policy, evoking the image of Alcatraz as an iconic and impenetrable prison that could house the "most ruthless criminals" in the United States.
What are the criticisms of the reopening of Alcatraz?
The reopening of Alcatraz has faced criticism from justice and human rights experts due to the high operational costs and the punitive symbolism it represents. Furthermore, immigrant advocacy organizations and political leaders, such as Nancy Pelosi, view the measure as a setback in human rights policies and a populist initiative lacking economic viability.
What does the Trump administration plan for the "Alligator Alcatraz" center in Florida?
The "Alligator Alcatraz" center is part of a strategy to increase the detention capacity for immigrants. Located in the Everglades, Florida, this center has been designed to accommodate up to 5,000 immigrants with criminal backgrounds, in a harsh natural environment that serves as a security barrier. The measure has faced criticism for its environmental and humanitarian impact.
What implications does the reopening of Alcatraz have for the U.S. prison system?
Reopening Alcatraz would entail a significant increase in the costs of the prison system, as its operation has historically been three times more expensive than other federal prisons. Furthermore, it symbolizes a harsher punitive approach in the criminal and immigration policies of the United States, aligning with other measures such as the establishment of "Alligator Alcatraz."
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