The White House has officially requested $152 million to begin the process of reopening Alcatraz Island as a high-security federal prison. The proposal was formally included in the fiscal year 2027 budget request released this week.
According to administration officials, the plan aims to transform the historic landmark back into a functional facility for the nation’s most dangerous and violent offenders. The site has served primarily as a tourist destination since its closure in 1963.
President Donald Trump initially proposed the reactivation of the island prison in 2025. During his campaign and early administration, he described the facility as a necessary symbol of law and order for the modern era.
The $152 million requested by the White House represents only the first phase of an extensive renovation project. Officials acknowledge that the total cost of the reconstruction could eventually reach several billion dollars.
Logistical challenges are cited as a primary driver of the high price tag. Because Alcatraz is an island, all construction equipment, materials, and fresh water must be transported by boat across the San Francisco Bay.
The facility has suffered significant structural deterioration over more than six decades of exposure to salt air and heavy fog. Extensive remediation is required to bring the crumbling cell blocks up to modern safety and security standards.
Supporters of the plan argue that a modernized Alcatraz would provide a unique and secure environment for high-risk offenders who require total isolation. They suggest the move reinforces the administration's commitment to rigorous criminal justice enforcement.
Critics have quickly condemned the proposal, labeling the expenditure as an unnecessary waste of taxpayer funds. Opponents argue that the money would be better utilized to address staffing shortages at existing federal prisons.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the environmental impact on the bay and the loss of a major National Park Service site. Congress must now decide whether to approve the funding as part of the broader 2027 appropriations process.