Ireland Rules Out Reopening Former Alcatraz Prison Despite Trump Plans

Donald Trump has proposed reopening and substantially enlarging Alcatraz prison to house the nation's most ruthless offenders, describing it as a symbol of law and order. However, the plan has faced skepticism and criticism from various quarters, including the last living inmate, Charlie Hopkins, who called the idea a bluff and too expensive, citing the prison's outdated infrastructure and its closure since 1963. Hopkins, who served time there in the 1950s, also shared memories of the prison's harsh conditions and solitary confinement, emphasizing that Alcatraz belongs to the past. Local officials in Cork, Ireland, dismissed any similar plans to reopen Spike Island, once known as Ireland's 'Alcatraz,' highlighting its current status as a historical site and tourist attraction rather than a prison. Historians and former inmates alike suggest that Trump's proposal is more political rhetoric than a feasible plan, with Alcatraz's crumbling facilities and logistical challenges making reopening unlikely. The prison, famous for housing notorious criminals like Al Capone, remains a powerful historic symbol but is widely regarded as unsuitable for modern incarceration needs.