President Trump requests $152 million from Congress to begin converting the historic Alcatraz island into a modern federal prison facility.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has asked Congress for RM152 million to begin rebuilding the notorious Alcatraz prison.
The funding request is part of the White House’s proposed 2027 budget to convert the site into a state-of-the-art secure prison facility.
Trump has long pushed to reopen Alcatraz as a symbol of a tougher approach to crime. He previously called for a substantially enlarged and rebuilt facility to house the country’s most dangerous offenders.
The proposal is included in a broader Justice Department budget emphasising prison investment. Such requests are ultimately subject to approval by Congress.
Political news outlet Axios reported any new supermax prison complex would have to be built from scratch. The total cost is estimated at around RM2 billion.
Alcatraz opened as a federal penitentiary in 1934 and was famed for its security. It held high-profile inmates like Al Capone before closing in 1963 due to high operating costs.
The island became a major tourist attraction managed by the National Park Service. It now draws more than a million visitors annually to San Francisco Bay.
The White House argues rebuilding would modernise the federal prison system and expand capacity. Critics question the plan’s practicality and immense cost.
Feasibility studies have assessed establishing a modern facility on the site. Any move to proceed could face significant political resistance.
