Once again, California is a hotspot of political unrest. This time, the source is one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist attractions, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
The penitentiary closed in 1963. These days, Alcatraz is a prominent tourist attraction in the San Francisco Bay. However, the infamous prison may soon reopen its doors and take in new prisoners under the Trump administration.
Originally built as a naval fort in the 1850s, during the Gold Rush, the island of Alcatraz didn’t host a prison until the 20th century. Sitting on a lone island, surrounded by frigid water and strong currents, Alcatraz is not for the faint of heart.
Only the worst of the worst criminals were shipped to Alcatraz, and the prison lived up to its name as maximum security. Inmates were kept alone in 5-by-9-foot cells with only a bed, sink, and toilet. Definitely not 5-star accommodations. There were only four guarantees: food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Anything else they had to earn.
To minimize the possibility of inmates overpowering the guards and escaping, no keys were carried. For the same reason, none of the guards carried weapons; instead, firearms were kept in a room overlooking the cell blocks where inmates couldn’t access them.
The most infamous and feared of the three cell blocks was “The Hole,” or as it was commonly known, Cell Block D. It was used for those who acted out or were too dangerous for the harsh routine of Alcatraz. Inmates sent to cell block D were locked in darkness and isolation with only a bed and a toilet. Sometimes not even a bed.
Alcatraz hosted several notorious inmates, most of whom spent time in “The Hole”. Big names included Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and the “Birdman” of Alcatraz. A total of 14 separate escape attempts were made.
President Trump has made plans to reopen Alcatraz as a maximum security prison. Alcatraz would need extensive renovation and rebuilding. Initially, the prison was closed because it needed repairs and upgrades, which would have cost too much money.
To get Alcatraz operational today, it would have to be rebuilt almost entirely. Alcatraz 2.0 would need a network of cameras surveilling prisoners, motion sensors, metal detectors, and reinforced walls and doors.
Upgrading the prison could cost over $2 billion, money that many believe could be better used elsewhere in the country. Trump has talked about expanding the prison, which would be. let’s say, difficult – since there’s only so much space on the island.
The original Alcatraz could hold roughly 336 prisoners, while modern prisons hold thousands.
So while you, as a prisoner, wouldn’t have to worry about being surrounded by thousands of dangerous criminals, it raises the question of whether it’s worth operating. Alcatraz may have been a maximum-security prison in the past, but modern prisons have harsher environments that would make you wish Alcatraz were still open.
