Last living Alcatraz inmate recalls haunting feeling of being locked up on ‘deathly quiet’ island that Trump plans to reopen

Alcatraz, the infamous island prison in the San Francisco Bay, holds a dark history of serving as a home for some of the most dangerous criminals in the United States. Charlie Hopkins, now 93 years old, is the last-known living inmate to have served time in Alcatraz. His three years on the island from 1955 to 1958 left a lasting impact on him.

Hopkins recalls the eerie quietness of Alcatraz, with the only sound being the whistle of passing ships. This loneliness reminded him of the haunting lyrics of Hank Williams’ song, “I’m so lonesome I could cry.” Despite the strict rules and high-security measures of the prison, Hopkins found ways to cause trouble, including being involved in a failed escape attempt that landed him in solitary confinement.

The monotonous routine of prison life left Hopkins bored, resorting to cleaning and exercising to pass the time. He spent most of his days in “D Block,” a solitary confinement section for troubled inmates. Despite his involvement in misconduct, Hopkins eventually served out his sentence in a prison in Missouri and was released in 1963, the same year Alcatraz shut down.

During its operation, Alcatraz saw 14 documented escape attempts, with only three men suspected of possibly making it off the island. The most infamous escape involved Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers in 1962, immortalized in the movie “Escape from Alcatraz” starring Clint Eastwood. Despite the mystery surrounding their fate, they were declared legally dead in 1979.

President Trump recently announced plans to reopen Alcatraz as a symbol of law, order, and justice to incarcerate homegrown, repeat criminals. However, Hopkins, a Trump supporter, believes reviving the prison would be costly and impractical, as the infrastructure would require significant updates.

Hopkins feels that Alcatraz should remain in the past, a relic of a bygone era. The island prison holds a dark history that should serve as a reminder of the harsh realities of the criminal justice system. As the last living Alcatraz inmate, Hopkins’s perspective offers a unique insight into the challenges and struggles faced by those who were confined within its walls.