Democrats and Republicans alike scoff at the idea of reopening the island prison that has served as a tourist attraction for decades.

The proposal, which would be extraordinarily expensive and logistically challenging, drew derision from locals and tourists.

An ongoing Associated Press investigation has uncovered deep, previously unreported flaws within the Bureau of Prisons over the last few years, including widespread criminal activity by employees, dozens of escapes, the free flow of guns, drugs and other contraband, and severe understaffing that has hampered responses to emergencies.