Alcatraz might be the most legendary prison in the world — but these days, it’s less about lockdowns and more about selfies. The former island prison has transformed into one of San Francisco’s top tourist hotspots, drawing in around 1.5 million visitors every year who come to walk the cells, hear the ghost stories, and imagine life behind bars.

The infamous 1962 escape, where three inmates vanished into the night and were never found, triggered a political firestorm. With crumbling infrastructure and sky-high maintenance costs, the feds finally pulled the plug on March 21, 1963.

“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. 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.”

He continued:
“That is why, today, I am directing 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.”