Trump Seeks $152M to Reopen Alcatraz as Active Prison

The former San Francisco Bay prison island could become a high-security federal facility once again.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:03pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of the Alcatraz prison island in the San Francisco Bay, with the iconic cell blocks and watchtowers bathed in warm, golden sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of the prison's history and the government's plans to reopen it.The former Alcatraz prison, once considered America's most secure, may soon be revived as a high-security federal facility under a new White House proposal.Boston Today

The White House has requested $152 million in its proposed 2027 federal budget to reopen the former Alcatraz prison island as a 'state-of-the-art secure prison facility' under the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This follows President Trump's announcement last year directing the Bureau of Prisons and other agencies to 'reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America's most ruthless and violent Offenders.'

Why it matters

Alcatraz was once considered America's most secure prison due to its remote island location, but it was closed in 1963 due to high operating costs. Reopening Alcatraz as a high-security federal prison would mark a significant shift in the island's history and purpose, potentially reviving debates over the role of prisons and criminal justice reform.

The details

The White House budget request seeks funds for the Federal Bureau of Prisons to cover the first-year costs of rebuilding Alcatraz into a new secure prison facility. Alcatraz originally opened in 1934 and housed notorious criminals like Al Capone and James 'Whitey' Bulger before its closure in 1969. No successful escapes were ever officially recorded, though five prisoners are listed as 'missing and presumed drowned'.

  • The White House released its proposed 2027 federal budget on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • President Trump announced plans to reopen Alcatraz in May 2025.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who announced plans to reopen Alcatraz as a high-security federal prison.

Federal Bureau of Prisons

The agency that would be tasked with operating the new Alcatraz prison facility under the White House's budget request.

Al Capone

A notorious criminal who was incarcerated at Alcatraz in the 1930s.

James 'Whitey' Bulger

A notorious criminal who was incarcerated at Alcatraz before the prison's closure in 1969.

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What they’re saying

“I'm directing the Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other agencies to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America's most ruthless and violent Offenders.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

The White House's budget request must be approved by Congress before any funds can be allocated to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison.

The takeaway

Reopening Alcatraz as a high-security federal prison would be a controversial move, potentially reviving debates over the role of prisons, criminal justice reform, and the island's historical significance as a former notorious correctional facility.