Why is this happening now?
President Donald Trump announced a controversial directive to reopen and expand the former Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, stating his administration will take bold action against “vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society,” who, he claims, “will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering” (Truth Social, May 4, 2025).
In a message posted Sunday night, the president criticized what he described as a decline in law enforcement severity, saying, “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. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
Trump’s statement comes at a time of intensifying national debate over crime, justice, and immigration detention. For Catholics concerned with the dignity of the human person, the proposed return to an infamous island prison raises serious moral and practical questions.
How would this be done?
Trump directed “the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders” (Truth Social, May 4, 2025). However, the original prison was closed in 1963 due to high maintenance costs and crumbling infrastructure.
According to the Associated Press, Alcatraz Island is now under the control of the National Park Service and serves as a major tourist destination and designated National Historic Landmark. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes the island, dismissed the proposal, saying, “The President’s proposal is not a serious one” (Pelosi on X, May 4, 2025).
Even the Bureau of Prisons has not confirmed how such a project would proceed. In a statement, a spokesperson said only that the agency “will comply with all Presidential Orders” (Associated Press, May 4, 2025), without detailing feasibility or costs.
Trump justified his order partly in reaction to court rulings protecting the rights of immigrants, saying he was frustrated with “radicalized judges” and that Alcatraz “has long been a symbol of law and order” (Truth Social, May 4, 2025).
What does this mean for Catholics and the Church’s teaching on justice?
The Church affirms the responsibility of the state to protect citizens and uphold justice, but also upholds the inherent dignity of every human person — including those who are incarcerated. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “punishment must be proportionate to the gravity of the offense” and should contribute to “the correction of the guilty party” (CCC 2266).
Trump’s plan to isolate the “worst” criminals on an island prison — and his additional proposals to send others to Guantanamo Bay or even El Salvador — may resonate with some Americans’ desire for law and order. But the Church urges a justice system centered on rehabilitation, mercy, and truth.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Prisons is itself under scrutiny. As the AP reported, it has been plagued by “widespread criminal activity by employees, dozens of escapes, chronic violence, deaths and severe staffing shortages.” A recent law signed by President Biden aims to improve oversight of the agency following an investigation into abuse and mismanagement, including sexual abuse cases in federal prisons (Associated Press, May 4, 2025).
As Catholics, we are called to advocate for justice that protects society but also respects the God-given dignity of every soul. While President Trump’s directive to reopen Alcatraz speaks to a real desire to address crime, the Church encourages discernment, truthfulness, and compassion — even in the administration of justice. Decisions that risk becoming symbolic gestures must be weighed not only by their politics but by their alignment with human dignity, truth, and the common good.
