America’s old jails and prisons stand as grim testaments of some of the country’s darkest chapters. They were often the places where gunslingers, bootleggers, civil rights marchers, and draft dodgers all ended up. From rusted locks and crumbling walls to shadowy cells that feel like they’re still holding their breath, these photos of old jails tell stories of desperation, defiance, and, at times, glimmers of hope.
Contents
1. A Protective Custody Solitary Confinement Cell at Old Joliet Prison, Illinois (1858–2002)2. ‘Abandoned Early 1900s County Jail’3. ‘Old City Jail in Charleston, South Carolina’4. Another Shot of Old Joliet Prison in Illinois. Talk About Creepy5. ‘Abandoned 1960s Prison’6. ‘An Abandoned Prison in Texas’7. This Old Watch Tower Is Heavy on the Zombie Apocalypse Vibes8. For Sure Heeding That ‘Turn Back Now’ Warning9. ‘Warden’s Office at the Old Joliet Prison in Illinois’10. ‘Six Romani Women in Jail, Los Angeles, California, 1940’11. A Man Stands Inside a Cell Block to Show ‘Just How Small’ 19th Century Jail Cells Were12. Recreation of the Anglin Brothers and Frank Morris’ Cell in Alcatraz, California. The Trio Pulled Off an Escape From the Prison in June 196213. A Closer Look at the Escape Hole Inside the Cell. The Trio Managed To Dig Through This Vent Using Metal Spoons14. The Fugitives Used Dummy Heads To Trick Guards During the Escape15. A Look Inside the Utility Corridor Behind Alcatraz’s Cells Where the Fugitives Ended Up After Escaping Through the Vents16. Another Abandoned Cell Block at Old Joliet Prison17. Inmates Attend a Classroom Lesson Inside a Women’s Cell Block in Washington D.C., Circa 192018. Bare-Bones Solitary Confinement Cell From a District of Columbia Jail in 191919. Libby Prison, a Confederate Jail in Richmond, Virginia, Being Built in 186520. Exterior of an Abandoned Prison in TexasHere are some other stories you might like:
1. A Protective Custody Solitary Confinement Cell at Old Joliet Prison, Illinois (1858–2002)
2. ‘Abandoned Early 1900s County Jail’
3. ‘Old City Jail in Charleston, South Carolina’
4. Another Shot of Old Joliet Prison in Illinois. Talk About Creepy
5. ‘Abandoned 1960s Prison’
6. ‘An Abandoned Prison in Texas’
7. This Old Watch Tower Is Heavy on the Zombie Apocalypse Vibes
8. For Sure Heeding That ‘Turn Back Now’ Warning
9. ‘Warden’s Office at the Old Joliet Prison in Illinois’
10. ‘Six Romani Women in Jail, Los Angeles, California, 1940’
11. A Man Stands Inside a Cell Block to Show ‘Just How Small’ 19th Century Jail Cells Were
12. Recreation of the Anglin Brothers and Frank Morris’ Cell in Alcatraz, California. The Trio Pulled Off an Escape From the Prison in June 1962
13. A Closer Look at the Escape Hole Inside the Cell. The Trio Managed To Dig Through This Vent Using Metal Spoons
14. The Fugitives Used Dummy Heads To Trick Guards During the Escape
15. A Look Inside the Utility Corridor Behind Alcatraz’s Cells Where the Fugitives Ended Up After Escaping Through the Vents
16. Another Abandoned Cell Block at Old Joliet Prison
17. Inmates Attend a Classroom Lesson Inside a Women’s Cell Block in Washington D.C., Circa 1920
18. Bare-Bones Solitary Confinement Cell From a District of Columbia Jail in 1919
19. Libby Prison, a Confederate Jail in Richmond, Virginia, Being Built in 1865
20. Exterior of an Abandoned Prison in Texas
Here are some other stories you might like:
If you want to read more about abandoned locations, don’t miss 15 Eerie Photos of Abandoned Coal Mines and 17 Photos of Old Dentist Offices That Will Give You the Heebie-Jeebies. For a glimpse into the other side of the law, check out 14 Photos of Police Officers Over the Years.
The post From Iron Bars to Crumbling Walls: 20 Haunting Images That Capture America’s Forgotten Prisons appeared first on Wealth Gang.
