Donald Trump demands $152m from taxpayers to reopen Alcatraz as functioning prison

Donald Trump demands $152m from taxpayers to reopen Alcatraz as functioning prisonDonald Trump is demanding $152 million to turn the infamous Alcatraz back into a 'state of the art' maximum security jail over 60 years after it released its final prisonersNewsBenedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter and Maria Villarroel News Reporter15:37, 04 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesCritics have slammed Donald Trump's plan to reopen Alcatraz as a 'state of the art' prison(Image: Getty Images)Donald Trump wants US taxpayers to pay $152 million to turn the popular tourist attraction Alcatraz back into a maximum-security prison.‌The infamous maximum security island jail has not housed prisoners since the early 1960s, and now attracts over 1.2million visitors each year - but Trump is asking for £115million to return its to rebuild it as a "state of the art" detention facility. The request, which emerged in yesterday's US budget proposals for the forthcoming year, forms part of an eye-watering $1.7 billion (£1.2billion) requested for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.‌Plans for Alcatraz would include converting the site to "house America's most ruthless and violent offenders", though few other details have been provided.‌View 3 ImagesThe island has not housed prisoners since 1962 due to the cost of maintaining the site(Image: AFP via Getty Images)READ MORE: Donald Trump invokes holy war as he gives final Easter Monday ultimatum to IranOPINIONMikey SmithDonald Trump turns 80 this year - here's what happens if he dies in officeDonald Trump