A former FBI agent suggested an alternative for President Donald Trump’s proposal to revive Alcatraz prison, envisioning it as a warning to deter even the most dangerous criminals.
Trump called for the reopening of the notorious prison in a Truth Social post on Sunday evening.
“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” Trump exclaimed. “For too long, our nation has been afflicted by brutal, recurring criminals—the scourge of society—who never contribute anything besides misery and suffering.”
Trump tasked multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, with creating plans to reopen a “vastly expanded and revamped” Alcatraz prison. He envisioned it as a facility to incarcerate the nation’s most brutal and violent offenders, stating the reopening would “stand as a symbol of law, order, and justice.”
Shortly after takeoff in a Navy-chartered commuter plane, Jan K. Larson, director of natural resources, looks out on San Clemente Island. (Photo by Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“That is a perfect location that’s close enough and you could build a prison out there for same or less amount of money,” Gilliam said. “Just the isolation of it would send shock factors through the minds of a lot of these people. You would not want to go there because there’s nothing there.”
The former FBI special agent said there’s an unwritten rule that “nobody can hear you scream out there.”
Gilliam said he thinks Trump’s plan to reopen Alcatraz will send a message to criminals.
“I think the key to Alcatraz was always that it stood alone, you couldn’t escape it and the most hardened criminals were there. So it was a scary place to be,” he said. “And so I think as long as that stays with it, then it’ll serve as a deterrent, I would think.”
In his social media post, Trump said only the most serious criminals would be placed in a revamped Alcatraz.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks toward members of the media prior to answering questions before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm,” Trump added. “No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”
Alcatraz was opened in 1934, but closed 29 years later in 1963. It’s now operated by the National Park Service, which operates tours of the infamous prison.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
