The Alcatraz Plan: A $3.4 Billion Symbol of Authoritarianism, Not Justice

Donald Trump has announced a plan to rebuild and expand Alcatraz Island as a federal prison for the “most violent offenders,” directing the Bureau of Prisons, DOJ, DHS, and FBI to participate. While the language of the proposal is framed as a return to law and order, the logistics and costs raise serious concerns. Here are the facts: • Estimated renovation and modernization cost: $1.45 billion • Estimated 10-year operating cost: $1 billion • Estimated lost tourism revenue: $100 million per year, totaling $1 billion over 10 years • Total 10-year projected cost: $3.45 billion Capacity and cost efficiency: • Alcatraz could house fewer than 400 inmates, meaning the cost per inmate per day would exceed $2,300 • By comparison, the federal supermax prison in Florence, Colorado costs around $548 per inmate per day Logistical challenges: • Alcatraz has no fresh water supply, requiring all water and supplies to be transported by barge • The island is a protected national park visited by over 1 million people annually • Renovation would require extensive environmental, legal, and logistical work, likely delaying any opening by several years Let’s also be honest: based on his record, Donald Trump is not interested in addressing crime with integrity. His pardons favored political allies, white-collar criminals, and violent offenders with personal or ideological ties to him—not justice. This plan isn’t about public safety. It’s about creating a symbolic place to punish his perceived enemies—especially Black and brown communities, immigrants, and dissenters—without due process. That’s not justice; it’s authoritarianism. There are real issues in our criminal justice system. This is not a real solution. Please use your power of oversight and reject this dangerous, expensive, and politically motivated proposal.