Cell

by Joel Loftus

Canvas Print

$75

Framed Print

$84

Art Print

$31

Poster

$31

Metal Print

$81

Acrylic Print

$89

Wood Print

$61

Greeting Card

$6.45

iPhone Case

$32

Title

Cell

Artist

Joel Loftus

Medium

Photograph - Photo

Description

The Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site:
The Territorial Prison was completed in 1872 and received its first 11 inmates from the Boise County Jail. This building was converted into a Chapel in the 1930s and was destroyed by fire in the 1973 riot.

The New Cell House (1889–1890) consisted of three tiers of forty-two steel cells. The third tier closest to the Rose Garden served as "Death Row."

The area now known as the Rose Garden (as this it what it is now) was once used to execute prisoners by hanging. Of the 10 executions in the Old State Penitentiary, 6 occurred here.

The Administration Building (1893–1894) housed the Warden's office, armory, visitation room, control room and the turn key area.

The False Front Buildings (1894–1895) held the Commissary, Trusty Dorm, Barber Shop (1902-1960s) and Hospital (originally the blacksmith shop, but was remodeled in 1912 and remained the prison hospital until the 1960s).

The Dining Hall (1898) was designed by George Hamilton (an inmate at the time) and ultimately burned down in the 1973 riot.

Cell House 2 (1899), also known as the "North Wing" contained two-man cells. A "honey bucket" was placed in each cell to serve as a toilet. Inmates burned the building in the 1973 riot.

Cell House 3 (1899) was built the same as Cell House 2. It was eventually condemned for habitation, but in 1921 was converted into a shoe factory. In 1928 this building was remodeled for inmate occupancy and became the first cell house with indoor plumbing.

The Women's Ward (1905–1906) was built out of necessity. Prior to its completion women did not have separate quarters. Male inmates built a wall around the old Wardens home to serve as a separate facility for women. This building had seven two-person cells, a central day room, kitchen and bathroom facilities. This building held the infamous Lyda Southard (Lady Bluebeard).

Built by inmates, the Multipurpose Building (1923) served as a shirt factory, shoe shop, bakery, license plate shop, laundry, hobby room, loafing room and housed the communal showers.

Solitary confinement consisted of two sections. The first, built in the early 1920s, was the Cooler. Although built for solitary confinement, each cell contained 4-6 men. The second section, known as Siberia, was built in 1926 and housed 12 3'x8' cells with one inmate per cell.

Cell House 4 (1952) was the largest and most modern cell house at the penitentiary. Some inmates painted their cells and left drawings on the walls that can be seen today.

Cell House 5 (1954) was Maximum Security where the most unruly and violent offenders stayed. This building also served as a permanent place of solitary confinement. It includes a built in gallows and "Death Row."

Although not a building, there is also an outdoor Recreational Area where inmates played baseball, boxing, basketball, handball, tennis, horseshoes and football. The baseball, and later softball, team was named "The Outlaws" and frequently played teams from across Treasure Valley