Trump posted today (May 5th), "Rebuild and reopen Alcatraz! For a long time, the United States has been plagued by vicious and violent repeat offenders, namely the scum of society, who bring nothing but pain and disaster. In the past, when we were a more serious nation, we would not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, keeping them away from anyone who could be harmed. This is how the problem should have been handled. We will no longer tolerate these habitual offenders spreading filth, causing bloodshed, conflict, and chaos on the streets. Therefore, today I instruct the Bureau of Prisons to work with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security to reopen an expanded and rebuilt Alcatraz to house the most brutal and violent criminals in the United States. We will no longer be held hostage by criminals, thugs, or judges who refuse to do their duty and allow criminals who illegally enter our country to go free. The reopening of Alcatraz will become a symbol of law, order, and justice. We will make America great again!"
A few comments: Trump's proposal to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz to house the most brutal and violent criminals in the United States has sparked much discussion.
From a historical perspective, Alcatraz has a unique and weighty past. It was once an American military prison, later becoming a federal penitentiary. From 1934 to 1963, it was used to confine the country's most troublesome prisoners. Notorious figures such as Chicago "godfather" Capone, "Birdman" Stroud, and "Machine Gun" Kelly were all imprisoned there. Its steep cliffs, inconvenient transportation, high winds and rough seas, icy seawater, and frequent shark sightings made its geographical environment then considered impregnable. However, even so, several major escape incidents occurred in its history. Among them, the 1962 escape involving three prisoners using stolen spoons, coins, and nail clippers, covering up the breach with wet newspapers, and delaying discovery by creating a dummy wall and a newspaper-and-plastic head was the most famous. This incident to some extent reflects that even the most secure confinement facilities are not invincible. Today, Alcatraz has long become a famous tourist attraction and prison museum in San Francisco Bay, carrying a special historical memory for people to visit and remember. Trump's proposal to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz is undoubtedly the reactivation of this historical symbol.
From a practical standpoint, Trump's move aims to address the long-standing social security issues caused by violent habitual offenders in the United States. He harshly criticized these habitual offenders as scum of society, bringing pain and disaster to the United States, believing that reopening an expanded and rebuilt Alcatraz can lock up the most dangerous criminals, keeping them away from the public. He emphasized that this is a symbol of law, order, and justice. However, this concept faces numerous practical challenges. First, there is the issue of economic costs. In the past, the annual cost of housing one prisoner at Alcatraz Prison was as high as $13 per day, the highest among federal prisons, and the cost of building maintenance was $5 million. Now, with significant expansion and reconstruction, the required financial investment will inevitably be astronomical. Where will this huge expenditure come from, and how to reasonably arrange it in the fiscal budget is a major challenge. Second, modern prison management concepts emphasize the rehabilitation and resocialization of prisoners. Whether Alcatraz's traditional highly enclosed, predominantly custodial model is consistent with current ideas is questionable. Third, there are also different voices within the U.S. judicial system. The judges who Trump criticized for failing to fulfill their duties and allowing criminals who illegally entered the country to go free may have unclear attitudes toward Trump's unilateral directive, which could lead to disputes and contradictions within the judicial sector.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1831233054717960/
Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views only.