Boise, Idaho

While in Boise, we toured the beautiful Idaho State Capitol and the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

The extensive use of four types of marble is seen throughout: red marble from Georgia, gray marble from Alaska,
 green marble from Vermont, and black marble from Italy.

A tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary truly gave us the sense of what it might be like to do time behind these walls. From 1872 the penitentiary opened it's doors to some of the west's most desperate criminals. The prison once housed killers destined for the gallows, and even though the criminals may be gone, it is said that their spirits remain locked behind the high stone walls of the prison.  Today ghost hunters and historians have been gathering at the Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise for an annual Halloween themed event dubbed “Frightened Felons.”

Women did not fare badly and it was said that "they would like it here".

Women's ward

Typical men's cell

A desperate criminal

The men's cells

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Trap door of the gallows

Confiscated items from the main yard.

The Oregon Boot was often used to prevent escapes.

1924 was the beginning of reform; eventually allowing games
 and activities and developing more jobs for inmates.