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The White House has requested $152 million to begin rebuilding Alcatraz Island into an operational high-security prison, as part of a proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year.
According to Fox News, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed the funding as part of a wider $1.7 billion increase for the prison system. The broader plan aims to improve staff pay and address shortages, with the specific Alcatraz allocation covering initial rebuilding costs.
The proposal envisions transforming the former prison into a modern high-security facility, marking a significant shift from its current status.
Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, was shut down in the 1960s due to high operational costs. In the decades since, it has been repurposed as a major tourist attraction.
The site now generates around $60 million in annual revenue, according to the National Park Service, highlighting its established role in tourism.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from California politicians who question its cost and practicality, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling the plan “absurd” and arguing it would waste taxpayer money while undermining public trust.
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