Prison Museums and History
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Our palace is being done for the purpose of introducing it to the public preserve the building of old Abashiri prison which kept being used since Meiji as the cultural properties . A foundation Abashiri prison preservation foundation was established in the 55th year of Showa, and it was open in July, the 58th year of Showa. |
From the time of the Crusades until the beginning of the State, this building was virtually impenetrable. It is a fortress, replete with moat. Built on the ruins of the Crusader period Citadel it was later rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century. The British converted it to serve as the main prison in Palestine during the British Mandate and therein lies much of its modern-day importance. |
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Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US fort on the West Coast, an infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public (and despised by inmates), and the historic 18 month occupation by Indians of All Tribes. Rich in cultural history, there is also a natural side to the Rock - gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare. |
The Anamosa State Penitentiary Museum showcases the 132-year history of Iowa's largest prison, the Anamosa State Penitentiary. The museum offers displays describing prison life, the “guard” through the years, and a large variety of photographs from the prison's early days. |
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Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was officially known, was one of the largest of many Confederate military prisons established during the Civil War. Today, Andersonville National Historic Site is the only park in the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history. |
The Museum's extensive “Totalitarian Past” exhibit includes photographs and maps of forced labour camps (GULAGs), Stalin decrees, propaganda literature and posters, underground literature and photographs and short biographies of some of the people who were arrested, imprisoned and killed for their convictions. Other permanent displays are “Conditions of Freedom — Russia's contemporary problems” and “Andrey Sakharov — His life and Work”. In 1997 the Museum mounted several changing exhibits “25 Years of Doctors Without Frontiers”, “Freedom Through Eyes of Yuri Rost: photographic essays”, “Refugees in Moscow” etc. Changing exhibits provide a forum for current problems or current social commentary. |
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Hello! My name is Steve Wendl, curator of this little virtual museum. This website chronicles the history of this 135-year old maximum security Iowa prison, which is still in use today. Before you leave, please use one of the feedback forms around the site to let me know what you thought. Feel free to search the site, but remember that this is an unofficial history site, so information about current inmates is not available. |
Hexham, Northumberland UK The museum is located in the first purpose-built gaol (jail) in England - constructed in 1330 to imprison convicted Reivers. The museum explains the history of the Reivers using reconstructions, artifacts and interpretation. |
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Antonio Contino's bridge over the Rio di Palazzo was erected in the year 1600 to connect the Doge's prisons, or Prigioni, with the inquisitor's rooms in the main palace. The Bridge of Sighs received its name in the 17th century, because the prisoners who passed through it on their way to the prison cells on the other side would most likely see the beautiful sight of the lagoon and the island |
Trenton, NJ The museum is a one-story building on the grounds of the NJ State Corrections Academy that houses a collection of contraband confiscated from prisoners in the 1970’s, as well as New Jersey’s electric chair. |
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The Clink Prison Museum is on the site of the original Clink Prison ("possibly the oldest mens prison and probably the oldest womens prison in England") which held prisoners from the early Tudor years until 1780. Shakespeare visited an old schoolfriend here. The museum in Clink Street can be booked for private parties. |
The Alton prison opened in 1833 as the first Illinois State Penitentiary and was closed in 1860, when the last prisoners were moved to a new facility at Joliet. By late in 1861 an urgent need arose to relieve the overcrowding at 2 St. Louis prisons. On December 31, 1861, Major General Henry Halleck, Commander of the Department of the Missouri, ordered Lieutenant-Colonel James B. McPherson to Alton for an inspection of the closed penitentiary. Colonel McPherson reported that the prison could be made into a military prison and house up to 1,750 prisoners with improvements estimated to cost $2,415. |
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Kingston, Ontario Canada The CSC Museum houses a fascinating collection of artifacts relative to all aspects of correctional history in Canada. Contraband weapons and escape paraphernalia reflect inmate ingenuity and resourcefulness. Early punishment and restraint equipment show the methods that have been used to keep order and discipline in Canada’s institutions. Inmate hobby crafts show the lighter side of life in prison. |
Ashburn, GA The Crime and Punishment Museum traces the history of Georgia’s penal system from the opening of the first state prison in 1811 to Georgia’s current penal system which has grown to become the eighth largest prison system in the country with 32 prisons. |
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Cromarty, Ross & Cromarty Scotland Interpretation includes a reconstructed trial in the18th century courtroom, children's costumes, prison cells, a video presentation of 800 years of Cromarty's history, artifacts, high quality display panels, an audio tape tour of the older part of the town and leaflets for walks in and around Cromarty. |
Dachau, Germany Soon after the Nazis took power in 1933, Dachau Concentration Camp was built to handle the overflow from the jails. It evolved into a slave labor camp for Nazi industries. The entrance to Dachau had the Nazi slogan "Arbeit mach frei," or "Work will make you free." Although it was never an extermination camp like those set up in Poland, tens of thousands died in Dachau. Executions were more often for disciplinary measures. The camp had largely fallen into disrepair and was eventually turned into a memorial. There now stands several memorials honoring the thousands of people who suffered there during the Nazi regime. |
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Philadelphia, PA USA Opened in 1829, this was the world’s first true “Penitentiary,” a prison designed to inspire penitence in the hearts of convicts. Eastern State’s massive, medieval façade stands in stark contrast to it’s church-like interior. The original seven cell blocks spread like spokes on a wheel, and had running water and central heat before the White House. An estimated 250 prisons worldwide have been modeled after Eastern State. This former home of Al Capone and Willie Sutton was closed in 1971. In 1994, this National Historic Landmark was opened for tours. |
Newark, NJ Completed in 1837, the Old Essex County jail complex is that county’s oldest public building. The jail was designed by architect John Haviland, who also designed the revolutionary radial plan at Eastern State Penitentiary. While the jail was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, no efforts have been made to preserve it and it is currently abandoned. |
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Sacramento, CA Opened in 1880, The Folsom State Prison, 23 miles outside of Sacramento, is California’s second oldest prison. Retired Folsom State guards opened the museum in the late 1980’s. The museum offers a look at torturous prison conditions in decades after the California Gold Rush populated the Sierra Nevada foothills and contains artifacts and records dating back to the 1800s. |
Delaware City, DE Fort Delaware is one of Delaware’s first state parks, created in 1951. On the National Register of Historic Places, the Union fortress dates back to 1859, and once served as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war. It was originally built to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia. The State of Delaware acquired the Fort from the Federal Government in 1947. |
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Links: 64
Regular: 64
Last link added: 10/15/07
Regular: 64
Last link added: 10/15/07