An ex-prisoner of Alcatraz has disclosed what aspect of his incarceration almost brought him to tears, amidst Donald Trump’s recent announcement about potentially reopening the infamous prison.
On May 4, Donald Trump announced his intentions to bring Alcatraz back into operation. The prison, which sits on an island near San Francisco, is no stranger to notoriety.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated: “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! 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.”
And who does Trump envision occupying this reopened facility?
According to Trump, it would be ‘serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets’.
In 1955, Charlie Hopkins found himself incarcerated at Alcatraz. After being convicted of kidnapping and robbery and serving time in a Jacksonville, Florida jail since 1952, he was transferred to the 22-acre island following incidents at other prisons.
Now 93, Hopkins has shared his memories of Alcatraz, noting that the absence of sound there is what lingers with him the most.
Hopkins recounted that during his time there, radios were not available, and books were scarce.
In an interview with the BBC, he recalled that the only sound was the occasional whistle from passing ships.
Hopkins added: “That’s a lonely sound. It reminds you of Hank Williams singing that song, ‘I’m so lonesome I could cry.'”
“There was nothing to do,” he continued. “You could walk back and forth in your cell or do push-ups.”
The prison was shuttered in 1963, the same year Hopkins was released, but if Trump has his way, the facility—which evolved from a naval defense site to a military prison and finally a federal prison—might welcome inmates once again.
Whether Trump will actually implement these plans or when this grand reopening could occur remains uncertain. However, Trump appears determined.
Trump declared: “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.”
He concluded: “We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally. The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”