00:00This is Alcatraz, one of America's most infamous prisons, closed for over 60 years.
00:15Now, President Donald Trump says it's time to rebuild and reopen it,
00:20calling Alcatraz a symbol of law, order and justice.
00:24Alcatraz's story begins in the 1850s as a military fortress.
00:30By 1912, its concrete cell house was completed.
00:34In 1934, it became a federal penitentiary, housing notorious criminals like Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly.
00:43In the 29 years it was open, 36 men attempted 14 separate escapes, according to the FBI.
01:00But Alcatraz was expensive to run.
01:04Everything food, water, fuel had to be shipped by boat.
01:09The island's salt air corroded buildings, and by the early 1960s, repairs would have cost millions.
01:15The prison closed on March 21st, 1963, with officials citing high costs and crumbling infrastructure.
01:25The Bureau of Prisons had said an estimated $3 to $5 million was needed just for restoration and maintenance work to keep the prison open.
01:34Since then, Alcatraz has become a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world to its storied halls and a tape-proof reputation.
01:58Now, President Trump wants to change that.
02:02He's directed federal agencies to rebuild and substantially enlarge Alcatraz, designating it for America's most violent offenders.
02:11Trump says the move will send a clear message.
02:14America is serious about law, order and justice.
02:18But what does reopening Alcatraz mean?
02:35Supporters say it's a bold step to isolate the most dangerous criminals.
02:40Critics argue it's a costly, symbolic gesture that may not address deeper issues in America's justice system.
02:47Alcatraz's next chapter could be its most controversial yet.
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