Squirrel Cage Jail History The Pottawattamie Jailhouse, or “Squirrel Cage Jail,” is one of only three remaining rotary jails. Built in 1885, it featured an innovative design aimed at limiting

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary History Opened in 1896, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, Tennessee, was built following the violent Coal Creek War, a labor conflict that led the state

Old St Johns County Jail History The historic Old St Johns County Jail was constructed in 1891 by Henry Flagler. He had the  intention of attracting visitors while concealing its

Ohio State Reformatory History After a decade of construction, the Ohio State Reformatory opened its doors to inmates in 1896. Designed by Cleveland architect Levi Scofield, this imposing limestone structure

Lake County Jail History The first permanent structure of its kind in Crown Point was the Lake County Jail, which was built in 1882. Initially, the jail consisted of ten

Eastern State Penitentiary History Originally called Cherry Hill State Prison, Eastern State Penitentiary was built on ten acres of farmland just outside of Philadelphia. Construction kicked off in 1822, and

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary History Originally intended to be a fortress for naval defense, Alcatraz transformed into a living space for military wrongdoers in 1861, accommodating a varied group of inmates