Topics: Crime, Donald Trump, Politics, True crime, US News, Alcatraz
A former inmate of Alcatraz has revealed what nearly made him 'cry' about the experience the most, as Donald Trump announces plans to reopen the notorious prison.
On May 4, Trump revealed plans to reopen the infamous prison located on an island off the coast of San Francisco.
Writing on Truth Social, he said: "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."
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And who would be in Trump's line-up for the prison?
Well, 'serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets', Trump said.
Charlie Hopkins was sent to Alcatraz in 1955. He'd been sentenced to 17 years for kidnapping and robbery and sent to a jail in Jacksonville, Florida in 1952, however, after trouble at other prisons, he was shipped off to the 22-acre island instead.
The now-93-year-old has since opened up about his experiences in the prison, reflecting it was the sound - or lack of it - which haunts him the most.
Hopkins explained there wasn't any radio at the time and there were few books in the prison.
He told the BBC that the only sound to be heard was when ships passed and let out a whistle.
Hopkins continued: "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."
Alcatraz ultimately shut down in 1963 - the year Hopkins was released too - however, if Trump gets his way, the prison - originally built as a naval defence before being rebuilt as a military prison and later turning federal - could reopen.
It remains ambiguous whether Trump will actually follow through with the plans or when the grand reopening could take place. But the POTUS does seem pretty resolute.
Trump said: "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 resolved: "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!"
