The US administration’s proposed 2027 budget would allocate $152 million to reopen the Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay, which closed in 1963 and now serves as a museum.
According to the document, the prison should be restored with the latest technology. The budget must be approved by the US Congress. The plans were announced by US President Donald Trump in May 2025.
“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, repeat criminals, the dregs of society who will never bring anything but misery and suffering. Once, when we were a more serious nation, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals and keep them away from those they could harm. That’s the way it should be,” the president said at the time.
“We will no longer be hostages to criminals, thugs and judges who are afraid to do their jobs and allow us to deport criminals who came to our country illegally. The reopening of Alcatraz will be a symbol of Law, Order and Justice. We will make America great again!” – he added.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said that the inclusion of this article in the budget bill is absurd and should be rejected. “Turning Alcatraz into a modern prison is an idiotic proposal, a waste of taxpayer money and an insult to the intelligence of the American people,” she said.