Trump wants to re-open Alcatraz prison.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (43832)
May 5, 2025 12:14am CST
Trump announced tonight he wanted to re-open Alcatraz, which has been closed since 1963. The reason for closing it was given as it being too expensive to operate, everything had to be brought in by boat, even the guards and other help. I suppose in theory it might work for ''hardened criminals'' however, I would imagine it would take a ton of money to get it going again..just my own guess, but closed for over 60 years? It has been a tourist attraction for quite some time. I've been there, but it's been a long time now. It wasn't in the best of condition by any means then. But...who knows, what each day will bring to the US at this point?
Does anyone else think this could work? Maybe...but it would be a Herculean task!
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-alcatraz-prison-reopen-truth-social-california/
18 people like this
15 responses
@LadyDuck (474380)
• Italy
5 May
@MarieCoyle That place is so depressing, I hope they will never re-open it.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
Like you, I would think it might be more cost effective to build another one that is road accessible. I guess time will tell on this.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
@LadyDuck
I have to agree. It was depressing when I visited there.kind of like a bad thing to have right where it is.
2 people like this
@ARIES1973 (11825)
• Legaspi, Philippines
5 May
I have watched a movie featuring this prison. I just don't remember what movie it was. I had no idea it was actually closed. Are there other people in the island?
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
Maybe it was “Bird Man Of Alcatraz?” Not sure.
I don’t remember seeing any actual homes that were habitable when I was there? Sorry, I just can’t recall.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (474380)
• Italy
5 May
@MarieCoyle May be it was "Escape from Alcatraz" with Clint Eastood. I have seen that movie.
5 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
@LadyDuck
I have seen that one, too. The name escaped me! Then when I was looking it up to add it to the list, the site went down and I didn’t get it done. Thank you, Anna.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (189584)
• United States
5 May
Trump has the weirdest ideas. What possible reason could he have to make this a pet project? Here's an idea, Why don't you do something that actually helps people?
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (189584)
• United States
5 May
@MarieCoyle He's insane! He probably has visions of holding immigrants there or something.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
That’s a great idea. I wonder how he could even make this Alcatraz thing work, let alone make it cost effective.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
@snowy22315
There will no doubt be a new plan or a new shocker about it at some point soon. 
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (53359)
• Canada
5 May
It would cost so much to bring an old building such as that up to current standards, and isn't his mandate to save money? Even if the building was renovated and all of the plumbing and electrical brought up to code, how 'safe' is it when as an employee, you must rely on a boat to get to and from work? How practical is that if you have an emergent work injury?
I think that he is slipping mentally, and should see a doctor before he worries about opening buildings that have remained closed for 6 decades.
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (53359)
• Canada
5 May
@MarieCoyle I have wondered if he is stable mentally.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
It wasn’t cost effective over 60 years ago, it won’t be now, either. I honestly think some of his ideas and actions are frightening.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
@Juliaacv
I personally feel our country needs to have not only term limits for all political positions, but age limits as well. As to his mental stability, many people question that on a daily basis. The fact that he appears heartless and cruel doesn't help, either.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (116175)
• Marion, Ohio
5 May
It would cost too much. But money doesn't matter to him
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
It definitely doesn’t seem very practical for cost and logistics, but I have no idea how it can even work.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (188783)
• United States
5 May
It will be a monumental expense to get it up and running again.
4 people like this
@LindaOHio (188783)
• United States
7 May
@MarieCoyle Yes, Alcatraz is not practical.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
I’ve seen it up close twice. It’s crumbly and would have to be demolished, at least I think it would. It just seems like a wild idea. If he wants one prison designated for there people, it would have to be on dry land and people would need to be able to drive to it.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (174529)
• Boise, Idaho
5 May
Good grief! What will that man think of next?
2 people like this
@celticeagle (174529)
• Boise, Idaho
9 May
@MarieCoyle .........I can do without it. Even quit watching stuff about him. I get so riled by the man's stupidity and have no one to talk to about it. Mylot sure doesn't want to hear about it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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9 May
@celticeagle
We all voice our opinions at times, as long as you are civil (and you definitely are!) you are fine.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57565)
• Los Angeles, California
5 May
The kids and I were laughing that wouldn't it be interesting to hear of new Alcatraz escape stories 
. It would be too expensive to get it going again . . . they'd have to demolish and rebuild it for one. Operational costs were too high even back in the day. Geez, any more "brilliant" ideas from this guy 
?
. It would be too expensive to get it going again . . . they'd have to demolish and rebuild it for one. Operational costs were too high even back in the day. Geez, any more "brilliant" ideas from this guy ?2 people like this
@much2say (57565)
• Los Angeles, California
6 May
@MarieCoyle Seriously. And when will the madness end. Well if somehow this ridiculous Alcatraz plan comes to fruition, I can think of the first inmate who should be put there 
.
.2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
I find myself wondering, what’s next? And then I don’t know if I even want to know what’s next at all!!
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7347)
• United Kingdom
5 May
I’ve also been there and I can’t see it being reopened without a great deal of expense. Prisoners these days expect the finer things in life, and not just a sea view.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
It’s not been a functioning prison for over 60 years, I would be surprised if it’s even a doable project.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (74724)
• United States
5 May
I’ve toured a lot of old prisons, and they’re closed for a reason: they’re in such pitiful shape that rats won’t live there.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
Toilets, water pipes, all of that in the prison cells…I would think all amenities would need to be replaced, and by law brought up to code. I have no idea but I would think that the cost would be wild! I suppose they could arrange for boats etc to transport the workers, but if there is inclement weather etc that might not be possible.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (85058)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 May
Surely those screws are falling out faster than you can count, However, one thing I do know is that Alcatraz has its fair amount of spooky and disgruntled spirits. If this cannot be stopped I suggest once it is reopened Trump is place in the most haunted cell and locked in the the key thrown away.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (85058)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 May
@MarieCoyle I do believe the man is going down the hill fast like Jack and will break his crown soon,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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5 May
I was watching the news a bit ago. I honestly doubt this ends up happening due to excessive costs involved, but hey, I don't really know.
See if you can make much sense out of THIS....he's garbled.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-s-bumbling-response-to-simple-question-sparks-worries-of-cognitive-decline/ar-AA1EdiEV?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=ef7db22fd0474994bb1e4d161f6ddbab&ei=8
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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14 May
It has been said that Alcatraz is basically crumbling. The sea mist and salt water has done a number on the concrete, etc. and it is falling completely apart. They said on the news the other day, there is no good water source for fresh water, and no proper sewage system, it would literally have to be completely torn down, all of the needed amenities installed, and then rebuilt.
@JESSY3236 (20509)
• United States
6 May
I don't think it would work because they would need to have it upgraded and that would cost money.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43832)
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7 May
It definitely would cost a ton of money, you are correct!
1 person likes this
