Trump's Alcatraz revival plan sparks debate, ex‑inmate reacts
Charlie Hopkins, one of the last living prisoners of Alcatraz, gave an interview to the BBC in which he commented on Donald Trump's plans to reopen the famous prison. He recalled what his stay there was like.
Key information
- Charlie Hopkins spent three years in Alcatraz and primarily remembers the "deadly silence."
- Donald Trump proposed reopening Alcatraz as a federal prison.
- The former prisoner claims it's just a "stunt" by the U.S. President, agreeing with experts on the cost of renovating the prison.
Charlie Hopkins, now a 93-year-old resident of Florida, reminisces about his three years spent at Alcatraz. He ended up there in 1955 after a series of crimes, including kidnappings and robberies. Hopkins describes the prison as a place of "deadly silence," where the only sounds were the passing ships.
Recently, Donald Trump suggested that he would like to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison for the most dangerous criminals. According to Trump, Alcatraz symbolizes "law and order." However, many experts believe that the cost of renovation and modernization would be too high.
He was an Alcatraz prisoner. He talks about Trump's plans regarding the prison's restoration
Hopkins, who is a supporter of Trump, does not believe the President is serious about reopening the prison. "He don't really want to open that place," said Hopkins, quoted by the BBC, adding that Trump only wants to draw attention to the need for strict punishment of criminals.
During his stay in Alcatraz, Hopkins made friends with many notorious criminals and even tried to organize an escape. His plan failed, and he spent many days in solitary confinement. "You wouldn't believe the trouble I caused them when I was there," Hopkins recalls.
Even though Alcatraz is now a popular museum generating millions of dollars annually, its technical condition leaves much to be desired. Experts claim restoring it to a functioning prison would be unprofitable. Hopkins agrees with this opinion, emphasizing that the infrastructure would require enormous financial investments.
