Alcatraz Reactivation Proposal Draws Mixed Reactions from Visitors

President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison has sparked a wave of discussion and debate, with visitors to the historic site expressing a diverse range of opinions. While some individuals entertain the notion of reinstating the infamous penitentiary, others find the idea impractical, costly, and even inhumane. The potential transformation of a popular tourist attraction back into a correctional facility raises questions about historical preservation, economic impact, and the ethical considerations of housing hardened criminals in such a setting.

The news of Trump’s expressed desire to once again house hardened criminals in the former federal prison has reverberated among those who have visited the prison and the people who live around the area. Many tourists visiting were willing to entertain the notion while others found it impractical at best and ridiculous at worst. Chris Smith, a tourist from Lincolnshire, England, bluntly labeled Trump a "moron," reflecting a sentiment shared by some regarding the feasibility and rationale behind the proposal.

Financial concerns emerged as a common thread among those interviewed. Nearly all visitors, including travelers from various countries such as Brazil, Germany, the U.K., Argentina, France, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and Canada, concurred that restoring the historic facility would entail significant expenses. The 22-acre island, built between 1909 and 1911, exhibits considerable wear and tear, making extensive renovations and upgrades necessary to meet modern prison standards.

Beyond the financial implications, many visitors expressed concerns about the loss of a beloved tourist attraction. Alcatraz draws up to 1.6 million visitors annually, generating approximately $60 million in revenue for the National Park Service. The prospect of converting this thriving tourist destination back into a prison raises questions about the economic consequences and the potential displacement of jobs related to the tourism industry.

On a sun-drenched day, in contrast to the prison’s reputation for cold and damp conditions, the old penitentiary was teeming with tourists eager to absorb its checkered history. The transformation of Alcatraz from a profitable park and museum back into a correctional facility necessitates a careful evaluation of the economic and cultural trade-offs involved.

Rob and Kari Kraemer, residents of the Twin Cities area in Minnesota who identify as conservative, expressed their openness to the idea of reopening Alcatraz as a prison. Rob Kraemer argued that the U.S. needs a place to house incorrigible offenders, "the worst of the worst," to protect the public. He suggested that Alcatraz could provide an opportunity to address this need, although he acknowledged the importance of conducting a thorough cost analysis to determine the feasibility of the proposal.

The historical context of Alcatraz’s closure also factors into the debate. The prison shut down in 1963 and reopened as a park 10 years later, largely due to the high costs associated with its isolated location. Running Alcatraz was nearly three times costlier than any other federal penitentiary due to the logistical challenges of transporting supplies and personnel to the island.

Rob Kraemer suggested that technological advancements may mitigate some of the logistical challenges, and he and Kari said tourism jobs lost to the transition could be made up by construction and prison jobs. Emily Lin, a college student from Taiwan attending college in San Diego, highlighted Alcatraz’s reputation as a notoriously difficult prison to escape from. The Federal Bureau of Prisons asserts that no one officially succeeded in escaping during its 29 years of operation, although five men who attempted escape were never found and are presumed to have drowned.

Lin, 28, stated that "if there’s not a better spot, yeah, they should open it (as a prison)." She prioritized the purpose of a jail, which she believes is to hold criminals, over its function as a tourist attraction. She proposed that the history of the jail could be preserved through the creation of another museum.

The Smith couple from Britain questioned the choice of Alcatraz as a prison location, citing the disrepair of the buildings and their unsuitability for housing even "the dregs of society," as Trump characterized the inmates. The island lacks essential infrastructure, including a sewer system, running water, and full electrical service, necessitating the transportation of all supplies and equipment by boat.

Chris Smith expressed incredulity at the proposal, stating that "with this much land in America, surely there’s a bunch of other places to build more prisons." Bruno Tavares, a tourist from Brazil, drew parallels between Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right leader whose election defeat in Brazil led to political turmoil. Tavares, who identifies as a political moderate, dismissed Trump’s Alcatraz plan as far-fetched.

Tavares stated that "he can’t be serious about that. It’s a joke." He argued that times have changed and that treating people in the manner associated with Alcatraz’s history is no longer acceptable. He expressed confidence that "the American citizens won’t allow it."

Tolu Ogundele, a college student from Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, learned about Trump’s proposal from an Uber driver on her way to visit Alcatraz. After touring the site, Ogundele concluded that it would be better for Alcatraz to remain a museum, especially in light of Trump’s efforts to cut federal spending.

Ogundele, 22, noted that Alcatraz was shut down because it was too expensive to run, and she believed that "with the state of the economy now it probably would be financially irresponsible to turn it back into a prison." Furthermore, she expressed concerns about the conditions within the prison, stating that "from touring it and seeing how it is, I feel like it’s not a very humane place to keep people."

The debate over the reactivation of Alcatraz as a federal prison touches upon a complex interplay of factors, including economic considerations, historical preservation, ethical concerns, and public perception. The proposal has ignited a range of reactions, highlighting the multifaceted nature of this issue and the challenges of reconciling historical significance with contemporary societal needs. The feasibility and desirability of transforming Alcatraz back into a correctional facility necessitate careful consideration and a comprehensive evaluation of all relevant aspects.