Q&A – Is Reopening Alcatraz Realistic? - Driven By Braman Motorcars
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Today’s Entry: @brianmuddradio MAGA – Make Alcatraz Great Again! Love it! Send Kilmar & Co. There. What needs to happen to make this happen?
Bottom Line: An act of congress and the conversion of the former federal prison from a National Park Service tourist attraction back into a federal prison (hence the need for an act of congress to provide the funding for the conversion). So yes, on Sunday President Trump announced his intention to reopen Alcatraz as a functional federal prison. Once President Trump puts pen to paper to order the conversion, the process will take place. The president doesn’t need congress to ratify his decision – he will, however, need congress to provide the funding for the conversion – although he may have a head start if he’s able to redirect funds allocated by congress to the National Park Service for Alcatraz repairs last year.
Alcatraz was last in use as a federal prison in 1963. Not only is much of the original infrastructure no longer intact, but all prison standards have changed since then as well. Last year congress provided funding for the National Park Service that included $50 million for renovations of Alcatraz to address deterioration including saltwater exposure and structural repairs. Many of those repairs are necessary whether it’s a tourist attraction or a federal prison.
Initial estimates suggest at least $100 million is needed for the conversion of the park back into a prison to meet current standards with costs that could grow to close to $1 billion based upon how extensive the updating to the prison happens to be. So, about that. One of the biggest changes that would have to take place – we'd literally have to raise the roof. So, about that...
There are three big areas of improvement that would need to take place in order to bring Alcatraz back online as a federal prison.
- Modern Prison Standards: The facility would need to be upgraded to the current prison code. This includes modern security systems, updated plumbing, electrical systems, and AC/heat. One of the biggest challenges... The cells which stand at 9x5 feet are considered too small by modern standards, requiring expansion or reconfiguration.
- Environmental Compliance: Environmental code has changed more than the federal prison code has since 1963. In order to bring the prison, located in San Francisco Bay, into compliance, there would need to be a new water treatment system, waste management plan, and considerations for protected wildlife that currently make use of the island.
- Seismic Upgrades: Just as the environmental code has changed considerably over the past 60+ years so too has earthquake code – a constant consideration for any California building. A structural engineering analysis would need to be conducted to see what how the prison could be retrofitted to meet the current safety standards.
Do those three things and it is possible to MAGA or Make Alcatraz Great Again. But of course, it’s the getting there that could take longer than President Trump has left in office. These are the steps that must take place in order for Alcatraz to be used as a prison again:
- Feasibility Study: Conduct a comprehensive BOP assessment of costs, logistics, and infrastructure needs.
- Congressional Approval: Secure legislation to transfer jurisdiction from the NPS to the BOP and appropriate funds.
- Environmental and Historic Reviews: Complete NEPA and historic preservation assessments to ensure compliance.
- Infrastructure Overhaul: Renovate the prison, including seismic upgrades, modern security, and utilities.
- Staffing and Logistics Plan: Develop a plan for staffing, supply chains, and emergency protocols.
- Public Engagement: Address opposition from tourism stakeholders, environmentalists, and local communities.
The typical feasibility study to establish federal prisons averaging taking 1-2 years so if we’re a long way from MAGA.