Meet Charlie Hopkins, the last known living inmate of Alcatraz, who has a lot to say about former President Donald Trump's eyebrow-raising proposal to reopen the notorious prison.

At 93 years old, Hopkins reminisces about his three years on Alcatraz, where he served a 17-year sentence for a string of robberies and kidnappings. He arrived on the isolated island in 1955 after causing chaos in other facilities, and what sticks in his mind the most is the haunting silence of the prison, interrupted only by the distant sound of passing ships.

"That’s a lonely sound," he recalls, likening it to the lyrics of Hank Williams’ sorrowful tune, 'I’m so lonesome I could cry.' Now residing in Florida, Hopkins has been informed by the San Francisco National Archives that he likely holds the unique title of being the last surviving Alcatraz inmate.

During his Alcatraz days, he recounts making questionable friends with infamous gangsters and even hatching plans for daring escapes. Despite the prison's closure decades ago, Trump's recent declarations have ignited conversations about resurrecting the facility as a federal prison, aiming it at what he called the 'most ruthless and violent offenders.'

When Hopkins first stepped onto Alcatraz, he saw a clean yet desolate place with few distractions—no radios and barely any books. His days were filled with menial tasks like cleaning and doing push-ups in his cell.

The notorious Alcatraz housed infamous residents like Al Capone and the 'Birdman,' Robert Stroud, turning it into a mecca for crime dramas and documentaries. Situated just off the San Francisco coast, surrounded by icy waters with treacherous currents, it evolved from a naval defense fortress into a high-security federal prison to combat organized crime.

Even behind those walls, Hopkins found himself in trouble, spending many days in solitary confinement. One notable incident was when he attempted to help other prisoners, including the notorious bank robber Forrest Tucker, escape the prison by pilfering hacksaw blades.

Though the plan was foiled when guards discovered the supplies, the audacity of several escape attempts grew over the years, leading to heightened security measures. By the time Hopkins left in 1958, he described the atmosphere as so strict you could barely breathe.

Historically, Alcatraz was the site of 14 escape attempts involving 36 inmates. One daring 1962 escape by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers remains legendary; they fashioned dummy heads from papier-mâché to dupe guards and disappeared through ventilation ducts, never to be seen again.

After its closure in 1963, the formidable prison was transformed into a national park and tourist attraction, generating around $60 million annually, while its crumbling buildings bear testament to its storied past.

Yet, Trump’s recent comments regarding the prison's resurrection have been met with skepticism. Experts argue revamping Alcatraz would be prohibitively expensive, with Hopkins agreeing, noting the outdated sewage system that would need a complete overhaul.

Reflecting on Trump's plan, Hopkins doubts the seriousness behind it, suggesting the former president merely aims to resonate with voters keen on tougher measures against crime. 

Released in 1963, Hopkins rebuilt his life, working various jobs and eventually penning a 1,000-page memoir, half of which narrates his turbulent past and transformation.

"You wouldn't believe the trouble I caused back then," he admits, finally taking accountability for his chaotic younger years.