One of Alcatraz’s final inmates shares chilling details of life inside the prison while commenting on Trump’s plans to reopen it.
Donald trump announces plan to reopen alcatraz prison
Previously, The US presiden, Donald Trump has revealed plans to reopen Alcatraz Prison. He called for a return to tougher criminal punishment.
On May 4, Trump posted on Truth Social. He demanded the Bureau of Prisons “rebuild and open Alcatraz” to house America’s most violent and repeat offenders.
She wrote: “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.”
Trump’s proposal includes cooperation between the Department of Justice, FBI, Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Prisons. The goal is to restore the infamous penitentiary.
Trump says modern criminals should be isolated like past offenders.
He compares their treatment to the inmates housed in Alcatraz.The Trump Alcatraz prison plan targets “serial offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem.”
These individuals are labeled as the “dregs of society.”
Trump said: “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!”
Former inmate reveals haunting memories from Alcatraz prison
In an interview with BBC interview, one of Alcatraz’s last living inmates recalls emotional, isolating prison conditions.
Charlie Hopkins, 93, is one of the last living inmates to have served time at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary before it shut down.
He was sent to Alcatraz in 1955. This followed a 17-year sentence for kidnapping and robbery. While, Hopkins had caused trouble at other prisons prior to his transfer.
During the interview, Hopkins reflected that it was the sound—or lack of it—in Alcatraz prison that haunts him the most.
Additionally, he explained that there was no radio at the time and few books in the prison.
He said: “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 added. “You could walk back and forth in your cell or do push-ups.”
Hopkins described the daily routine as soul-crushing.
“There was nothing to do. Walk back and forth in your cell. Do push-ups.”
He spent years with limited communication, no outside contact, and a repetitive environment that made time feel endless and hopeless.
Additionally, they originally built Alcatraz as a naval fortress, which later became a military prison. Subsequently, they converted it into a federal penitentiary before closing it in 1963.
In short, Hopkins was released the same year the prison closed, but the experience left him with lasting psychological scars.