So, check this out y’all! The new director of the federal Bureau of Prisons is all about supporting President Donald Trump’s agenda, especially when it comes to reopening Alcatraz. Trump recently announced on Truth Social that he wants to breathe new life into the old prison, and the Bureau of Prisons is on board with making it happen.
BOP Director William K. Marshall III, who just started his gig last month, is all gung-ho about getting things rolling. He’s already ordered an assessment to figure out what needs to happen next. Marshall sees Alcatraz as a symbol of law and order, and he’s ready to work with other law enforcement agencies to make it happen.
Now, Trump’s idea might seem a bit out there, but hey, he’s got his reasons. He’s not too keen on all these trials for illegal immigrants clogging up the system. Alcatraz could be the solution to that problem, at least in his eyes.
Alcatraz, located right smack in the middle of San Francisco Bay, has been out of commission as a prison since 1963. These days, it’s a popular spot for tourists, attracting over a million visitors every year. But Trump wants to change that and bring back its glory days as a prison.
The facility, once a fort and then an Army prison, eventually became a federal penitentiary. Some big-name criminals like Al Capone called it home back in the day. Known as “The Rock,” Alcatraz housed around 260 to 275 inmates on average, and surprisingly, the living conditions weren’t too shabby compared to other prisons at the time.
Restoring Alcatraz won’t come cheap, though. It’s estimated to cost between $3 million to $5 million just to get the place up and running, not to mention the ongoing maintenance costs. Back in 1959, it was costing about $10.10 per inmate per day to keep the place running, way more than other federal prisons.
The Bureau of Prisons has its fair share of issues, with a recent report suggesting that $2 billion worth of repairs are needed across the board. Some facilities had to shut down due to the terrible conditions. Elizabeth Neumann, a former DHS deputy chief of staff, isn’t too optimistic about Trump’s Alcatraz revival plan. She reckons it’s gonna cost a pretty penny to get the place back in shape.
And let’s not forget about the high cost of living in San Francisco. Federal employees working there rake in more cash to cover expenses, so it’s not the most cost-effective solution, according to Neumann. She thinks it’d be smarter to build something new in a more affordable area if the goal is to expand prison capacity.
But hey, Trump’s never been one to shy away from bold ideas, right? Neumann recalls having to dig into plenty of his proposals during her time in the administration. Sometimes the facts just don’t add up, and the plans get scrapped.
House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi isn’t feeling the Alcatraz reboot either. She’s quick to shut down the idea, pointing out that the prison has been closed for over six decades. These days, it’s a popular national park and tourist hotspot, not a place for inmates.
So, will Alcatraz see new life as a prison once again? Who knows! But one thing’s for sure, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride if Trump’s plan actually comes to fruition.
