President Donald Trump said on May 4 that he has directed federal agencies to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz as a high-security prison for what he called "America’s most ruthless and violent offenders."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, would be involved in reopening a "substantially enlarged and rebuilt" version of the infamous island prison. He framed the proposal as a push for law and order, criticizing judges who he claimed were reluctant to remove criminals, including undocumented migrants.
Alcatraz has long captured the public imagination with its dramatic history and notorious inmates. In this gallery, explore the gripping and often violent legacy of America’s most iconic prison.