Trump’s Alcatraz prison plan could cost $2bln: Axios
3 Min Read
Two US officials say Trump has not yet made a final decision regarding the island’s future, and the exact cost remains uncertain.
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A building stands on Alcatraz Island on May 4, 2025, in the San Francisco Bay in California (AP)
US President Donald Trump’s bold proposal to convert Alcatraz into a high-security prison may come with a steep price tag: $2 billion, according to US administration sources cited by Axios.
In May, Trump hinted at a possible comeback for the prison to house what he called "America’s most ruthless and violent offenders."
Once considered the most secure penitentiary in the country, Alcatraz prison famously held high-profile criminals such as Al Capone before its closure in 1963. It has since become a major tourist destination, drawing visitors fascinated by its history and isolation.
While Democrats have mocked the plan, Trump remains determined to build a new prison on the iconic island, prompting officials to make site visits and develop preliminary cost estimates.
Two US officials stated that Trump has not yet made a final decision regarding the island’s future, and the exact cost remains uncertain. Axios reported that three general options are under consideration:
- A “supermax” prison complex costing over $2 billion, which would require demolishing all of Alcatraz’s deteriorating structures and building from scratch;
- A smaller facility costing $1 billion that would occupy only part of the island;
- Contracting private prison companies to build and operate the facility, though this is seen as the least likely option.
Trump's Alcatraz interest 'more symbolic than practical'
An administration official noted that more analysis was needed before Trump makes a decision and noted that $2 billion may be an overestimate.
Another major drawback to the most expensive option is the long construction timeline. Trump wants to see as much progress as possible during his term.
The federal government previously closed Alcatraz due to its high operational costs. The island’s structures quickly deteriorated in the salty bay environment, with food and water having to be imported and waste exported off-site.
Critics also point to another issue: the US prison population, already among the highest in the world per capita, has been declining for years and is expected to continue decreasing.
Sources familiar with Trump’s thinking say his interest in Alcatraz is more symbolic than practical. The prison, featured in many films, holds a place in the cultural imagination as a harsh, unforgiving place, an image that appeals to the president.
In this sense, reviving Alcatraz aligns with the administration’s stance on immigration, which seeks to convey a tough stance intended to deter migrants.
Another official remarked that people believed it to be a joke, but the president was "serious. And if he's serious, we're gonna do it."
