P
resident Donald Trump has suggested reopening Alcatraz Island prison, a notorious former federal penitentiary in the San Francisco Bay. However, for one woman who grew up on the island, it's a place of fond memories rather than fear.
Jolene Babyak lived on Alcatraz with her family from 1954 to 1955 and again in 1962 when she was 15 years old. Her father was the associate and acting warden at the prison. The island had a small community of prison staff, their families, and prisoners, who were often referred to as the "worst of the worst." But Babyak remembers it as a wonderful place to grow up.
The island had a tight-knit community with plenty of entertainment, low crime rates, and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Children like Babyak would take the ferry to school in San Francisco every day, often on their own after a certain age. They also had a large playground where they played under adult supervision.
Babyak's childhood was unique because her parents were actively involved in organizing events and activities for the kids. She remembers parties, dances, and performances that kept them occupied and out of trouble. As a teenager, she even enjoyed her first kiss at an island party.
Despite growing up surrounded by prisoners, Babyak never felt scared or threatened. In fact, some prisoners would even interact with the children, like handing them stray balls through fences. Babyak believes that many prisoners were not as bad as they seemed and were often mentally ill or had anti-social behavior in other prisons.
One of the most infamous escapes from Alcatraz occurred when Babyak was living on the island in 1962. She remembers being woken up by an alarm and having to search her house with her mother for any signs of the escapees. The three men who escaped were never found, but Babyak doubts they survived long.
Today, Alcatraz is a tourist attraction, and Babyak has been selling books and giving talks there for 30 years. She cherishes her time on the island and was sad to leave when it closed in 1962. Despite Trump's suggestion to reopen the prison, Babyak remains optimistic about the island's future as a place of education and tourism rather than incarceration.
