WV State Penitentiary

[1Perry]

I had been wanting to go here for awhile. My daughters class was going on a field trip and they need adults to go along. I went. It was quite the experience.

The prison was built in 1866. Closed in 1995. It's only been 16 years and if you look at the condition, it must have been a real dump. I on the one hand understand that the absolutle worse were sent here. Most absolutely deserved it. On the other hand.....The cells were 5X7 and at the prisons peak, there were 3 per cell. Two bunks on the wall and one mattress on the floor. Just enough room left for a sink and crapper.

Our guide was very blunt. She said that she felt that the kids (4th grade) should know what prison is like now as opposed to later. 36 prisoners were killed there. 3 gaurds and almost 1000 people in total died there. I forget how many were hung but there was 9 electrocutions. Charles Mansons mom spent some time here. There was a womans building but it was torn down in 1947. I took a pic of the letter that Manson sent the warden wanting to get transfered here to be closer to family. The warden simply replied "when hell freezes over". The north cell block was listed as the most violent in the country by the FBI. Photo pen6 shows the cell of one of the most violent. He was stabbed 16 times in the bed. Pen9 shows where two members of the Avengers motorcycle gang were stabbed to death. One guy was stabbed in the eye clear through the back of his head.

The guy stabbed in pic 6 supposedly still hangs around. They have midnight sessions where you can stay all night and pretty much roam wherever you want. Quite a few ghost hunter shows have been filmed there.

Anyway, if interested, just click the link and hope it works.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/151282/2157464

[PeepingScott]

That is a beautiful building! Hope they never tear it down...
I've got no issues with the size of the cell's, or the amount of people residing in each one. Reminds me of the theme song from Barretta, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time"!!
The US Supreme Court last week has declared that the California Prison system must release nearly 33,000 CRIMINALS who deserve to be there over the next two years due to overcrowding. And as typical fashion, it was a 5-4 vote. Funny how these people interpret the "Law of the Land". It should be a unanimous vote, but never seems to be. They interpret the laws based on their beliefs, it sucks...

[donaldww]

What an incredible building! Speaking of accommodations you'd rather not check in to, here is a short video about the infamous Don jail (now closed) in Toronto.

[CHEVY57]

I had been wanting to go here for awhile. My daughters class was going on a field trip and they need adults to go along. I went. It was quite the experience.


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/151282/2157464

Wow I spent the early part of my life trying to STAY OUT of places like that, but now I'll be happy with the movie......