The last-known living inmate to serve time in Alcatraz has shared his haunting memories of being locked up on the notorious island prison that President Trump plans to reopen. Charlie Hopkins, now 93 years old, was sent to Alcatraz in 1955 for causing trouble at another facility while serving time for kidnapping and robbery.
Hopkins vividly remembers the eerie silence that engulfed the island, with only the distant whistle of passing ships breaking the stillness. He described it as a “deathly quiet” that reminded him of the loneliness captured in Hank Williams’ song, “I’m so lonesome I could cry.”
During his three years on Alcatraz, Hopkins found himself consumed by the monotony of prison life. He would often spend his days cleaning, buffing the floors until they shined, to pass the time. He recalled how there was very little to do on the island besides walking back and forth in his cell or doing push-ups.
Despite the strict security measures in place at Alcatraz, Hopkins still managed to get himself into trouble. He spent most of his time in the solitary confinement section known as “D Block,” where troubled inmates were kept isolated. His involvement in a failed escape attempt landed him in solitary confinement for six months.
Hopkins confessed to stealing a hacksaw from the prison’s electric shop to aid in the escape plan, but the attempt was thwarted when guards discovered the blades in one of his accomplices’ cells. This incident led to his extended stay in solitary confinement.
After serving his time at Alcatraz, Hopkins was transferred to a prison in Missouri and eventually released in 1963, the same year Alcatraz was shut down. Throughout its 29 years of operation, Alcatraz witnessed 14 documented escape attempts, with only three men suspected of possibly escaping the island.
President Trump’s recent announcement to reopen Alcatraz as a high-security prison for homegrown, repeat criminals has sparked controversy. Hopkins, a supporter of Trump, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of reviving the prison, citing the exorbitant costs and outdated infrastructure.
Despite his support for the president, Hopkins believes that Alcatraz should remain a relic of the past. He emphasized that the island’s history belongs to a bygone era and should not be resurrected. As the likely last surviving former Alcatraz inmate, Hopkins reflects on his time on the island with a sense of finality, asserting that some things are best left in the past.
