Trump orders reopening of infamous Alcatraz prison
Donald Trump has announced he is ordering the reopening and rebuilding of the US’ infamous Alcatraz prison.
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Donald Trump has announced he is ordering the reopening of the US’ infamous Alcatraz prison to house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent offenders”.
In a post on Truth Social, the US President said he was directing officials to rebuild and reopen California’s notorious island prison, which closed over six decades ago.
“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering,” Trump wrote.
“No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”
“That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.”
Mr Trump – who has been cracking down on crimes, including those committed by migrants – said America would not longer “be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally”.
“The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Alcatraz, located two kilometres off the coast of San Francisco, closed in 1963 due to high operating costs after being open for just 29 years, and now serves as a popular tourist attraction.
Also known as ‘The Rock’, the iconic former prison brings in over 1.6 million tourists each year, generating about $60 million in annual revenue for park partners, according to the US’ National Park Service.
2023 marked 50 years since the very first public tour of Alcatraz Island.
Infamous prison escape
With a capacity of just 336 prisoners, the prison has held several well-known criminals, including mob boss Al Capone, and saw many fantastical escape attempts by inmates.
The most notorious escape was carried out by Frank Lee Morris and brothers Clarence Anglin and John Anglin, who broke out on the night of June 11, 1962 and were never seen again.
They were three of just five criminals who were never found following escape attempts, with 23 caught, six shot and killed, and two having drowned.
Aided by another prisoner, Mr Morris and the Anglin brothers used saw blades, spoons and a drill over the course of six months to gradually forge an exit through ventilation ducts in their cells.
The men sculpted dummy heads from pappier mache and plaster, and piled towels and clothing under their blankets to conceal their absence, before climbing to the roof through a ventilation shaft and making their way down to the shoreline.
They made their getaway on an inflatable raft but what happened next remains a mystery.
One popular theory suggests they never made it back to land, but their bodies were never found in the depths of San Francisco Bay.
One former inmate, William “Bill” Baker, previously told news.com.au the convicts had planned their escape meticulously and shown great restraint in keeping the entire operation secret.
He said it was that trait that had likely also allowed them to continue living in society in the years that followed.
“They were very quiet, very patient. not only did they have to keep it from the guards, they had to keep it from the snitches,” Mr Baker said.
“Anytime you have a desperate man you have snitches. You can bet if they were in a bar they wouldn’t be bragging about it. We would never know.
“We would never know if they’re free or if they’re not free because they would not tell anybody and they would never go near their families.
“We think that they made it to land but we don’t know. Nobody knows.
“My take on it is … if they died in the water they died free as far as I’m concerned. They beat this place.”
The mysterious outcome of the daring prison break went on to inspire Hollywood thriller Escape from Alcatraz, starring Clint Eastwood.
– With AFP
Originally published as Trump orders reopening of infamous Alcatraz prison
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