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Posted on 05/11/2025 5:55:34 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
When Charlie Hopkins thinks back to the three years he spent in one of America's most famous prisons, he remembers the "deathly quiet" the most.
In 1955, Hopkins was sent to Alcatraz - a famed prison on an isolated island off the coast of San Francisco - after causing trouble at other prisons to serve a 17-year sentence for kidnapping and robbery.
Falling asleep at night in his cell on the remote island, he said, the only sound was the whistle of ships passing.
Now 93 and living in Florida, Hopkins said the San Francisco National Archives informed him that he is likely the last surviving former Alcatraz inmate.
Although it closed decades ago, US President Donald Trump recently claimed that he wants to re-open it as a federal prison.
Alcatraz "represents something very strong, very powerful" - law and order, Trump said.
But experts and historians said Trump's proposal to re-establish the prison is far-fetched, as it would cost billions to repair and bring up to date with other federal facilities.
Hopkins agrees. "It would be so expensive," he said.
"Back then, the sewage system went into the ocean," he added. "They'd have to come up with another way of handling that."
But the avid Trump supporter said he does not believe the president's proposal is serious.
"He don't really want to open that place," Hopkins said, adding that Trump was trying to "get a point across to the public" about punishing criminals and those who enter the US illegally.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
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Too expensive. Like Guantanamo it’s more symbolism. Once the illegals are gone it becomes obsolete.
Kidnapping?
Comfortably retired in Florida.
Wonder what his victim’s family thinks of this?
Why do I want to know what this loser thinks…about anything.
Hopkins agrees. "It would be so expensive," he said.
From the article
“Hopkins left Alcatraz five years before it closed down for good. He had been transferred to a prison in Springfield, Missouri and given psychiatric medication that improved his behaviour and helped him heal psychological issues, he said.
But the avid Trump supporter said he does not believe the president’s proposal is serious.
“He don’t really want to open that place,” Hopkins said, adding that Trump was trying to “get a point across to the public” about punishing criminals and those who enter the US illegally.
Hopkins was released in 1963, working first at a truck stop before taking on other jobs. He went back to his home state of Florida”
Guantanamo wasn't for symbolism, it was to keep detainees from Afghanistan and Iraq off of U.S. soil so the Left couldn't sue in Federal courts on their behalf.
It was to circumvent lawfare.
“Hopkins said the San Francisco National Archives informed him...”
Interesting. You’d think the first thing the press would do would be to either a.) ask him to show proof of that having taken place, or b.) simply confirm with the Archives that it is true. I don’t suspect, necessarily, that it’s not. Just an example of how inept/useless the press is today.
And yes, here we are again, glorifying a violent criminal (quite popular these days...). Kidnapping was most likely just one of the many charges in the case that put him away.
BBC don’t care about victims of crimes.
All they care about is pumping up the criminals.
Trump at his best. Get the media to cover the point about law and order by suggesting something and then at the end of suggesting it say “We can do it or we can’t. Maybe a good idea. Maybe not.”
I don’t know why you would say that, he seems to be an authentic guy to me, read the article.
It was a military defense fort and then a prison, that means a lot of expensive demolition before new and high tech could be built to replace it, and then one has to ask why?
Does the location mean today in a more advanced technological world and with new building and prison expertise and techniques what it meant almost a century ago?
Any type of effective prison can be built anywhere today, cheaper and better.
Trump is not what you said. He’s a think outside the box leader.
“”He don’t really want to open that place,” Hopkins said, adding that Trump was trying to “get a point across to the public” about punishing criminals and those who enter the US illegally.””
93 years old and still has a working brain...good for him!
He’s totally wrong on this.
“ Trump is not what you said. He’s a think outside the box leader.”
What kind of a statement is this?
“”I don’t know why you would say that, he seems to be an authentic guy to me, read the article.””
I agree...no reason to blast the man. Some here don’t need reasons. The guy who was formerly a prisoner on Alcatraz has a good grasp on what renovation would mean - $$$$$$$$$$$$
“”He’s totally wrong on this.””
WHO is HE? The president or the former prisoner...
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