On May 4, 2025, President Donald Trump announced, through his social truth platform, which had given the order to reopen the famous prison of Alcatrazan emblematic detention center located on the island of the same name in the bay of San FranciscoCalifornia. Trump said his goal was to accommodate The most violent and dangerous criminals of the United States, as part of a strategy to impose a more strict “law and order”.
In his words, Alcatraz’s reopening would serve as Justice symbol For the country. This proposal has generated controversy, given the historical character of the island, which since its closure in 1963 has become one of the main tourist attractions of the area, managed by the national Parks Service. The news surprised many, since Alcatraz is famous not only for his past as high security prisonbut also because of the enormous costs that implied its operation.
According to various reports, the prison operation was Much more expensive than that of other federal prison establishments, due to their physical isolation and the lack of natural resources, which made it necessary to transport almost everything, from food to water. This led to the closing of the prison in 1963, a decision that was made by the government of John F. Kennedy through your fiscal general, Robert F. Kennedywho alleged that the cost of maintaining the prison was unsustainable.
Alcatraz It is located on a small island in the bay of San Franciscoand its name comes from the Spanish term “Alcatraces”which refers to the pelicans who inhabit the area. It was discovered in 1775 by the Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayalawho baptized her as “Los Alcatraces Island.” In 1850, the island became a Military strength In defense of the San Francisco Bay, with a citadel Built in the highest part, which conferred an important defensive strategy in times of war.
Alcatraz never became used in combat, but for more than 80 years It was the seat of a military prison, and in the 1900s, the authorities built a new Military penalty. Subsequently, in 1933, the Federal Government took control of the island, deciding to make it a detention center for the most dangerous criminals in the country.
Alcatraz began operating as Federal Prison In 1934, being known as the maximum security prison of the country. Its location, surrounded by frozen waters and with extremely strong currents, made it a place practically impossible to escape. Some of the most criminals Notorious From the time they were held there, like the famous gangster To the Capone, “Machine Gun” Kellyand the “Birdman” by Alcatraz, Robert Stroud. These prisoners, together with many others, were sent to Alcatraz due to their violent behavior in other prisons or because they considered that they represented a Risk of leakage.
The prison also housed John y Clarence Anglin, mainly known for your escape of Alcatraz in 1962one of the most famous escape attempts in history. The Anglin used improvised tools to enlarge the ventilation holes of his cells. during the night, they placed false heads In their beds to deceive the guards during counting. The prisoners fled through a tunnel and then used a improvised raft made of impermeable. Although concrete evidence was never found that they managed to escape successfully, and the authorities assumed that They died drowned In the cold waters of San Francisco Bay
Despite its reputation of being an infamous prison, life in Alcatraz was not necessarily harder than in other federal prisons. The prisoners had a very daily routine strictand your access to privileges as visits and contact with family members should be won through behavior.
However, Alcatraz maintained a strict rule of A prisoner by cellwhich provided some privacy that was not in other facilities of the time. Throughout its years of operation, the prison was the scene of 14 escape attempts. However, there was never a Successful escapedespite the multiple conspiracies that were attempted, such as the famous escape of Frank Morris and the brothers John y Clarence Anglin In 1962.
The Battle of Alcatrazwhich took place between the May 2 and 4, 1946it was one of the most violent attempts to escape in the history of prison. The escape attempt began when Bernard Coy and five other prisoners, Joe Cretzer, Marvin Hubbard, Sam Shockley, Miran Thompson y Clarence Carnesthey were made with Firearms of the prison arsenal after kill. The prisoners achieved take control of the cell of the watchtowerbut they found immediate obstacles when trying to get out of prison.
The main problem they faced was the impossibility of Open the Recreo Patio Doorwhich was vital to complete your escape. This made, instead of fleeing, the prisoners decided to face the guards. This resulted in a violent shooting in which they died Two guards y Six prisoners They were injured.
Since the situation intensified rapidly, the intervention of the military forces of USA To recover prison control. They were sent marines to help stifle the revolt and finally put an end to the riot. In the end, Bernard Coy, Joe Cretzer y Marvin Hubbard They died during the confrontation, while the other prisoners involved, such as Sam Shockley y Miran Thompsonthey were captured. Clarence Carnes (who was only 19 years old) was sentenced to a new life imprisonment.
In 1963, after almost 30 years of operation, the government closed Alcatraz due to the high operating costs. According to official reports, keeping the jail in operation was three times more expensive that in other federal penalties, mainly for their isolation. The food and supplies had to be transported by boat, and the island lacked a drinking water source, which forced almost transporting one million gallons of water each week.
In addition, the prison needed a expensive repair was estimated in Between 3 and 5 million dollarswhich finally led to its closure. This decision was made by Robert F. Kennedywho at that time was the United States Attorney General. From its closure, Alcatraz became a museo owned by the National Parks Service In 1973, and today he receives More than one million visitors Annually, being one of the most popular national parks in the country.
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