History Indiana State Prison

illustration of indiana state prison, 1871

the history of indiana state prison dates 1859 when state legislature granted $50,000 new state prison. named state prison west ; opposed state prison east first state prison located in jeffersonville, indiana (and later moved nearby clarksville). prison space @ jeffersonville became scarce, calling new prison built in michigan city. later, state prison south became indiana reformatory , state prison north became known indiana state prison.

in 1860, 100 acres (0.40 km) in michigan city purchased $4,500. first warden, charles seely, superintendent in charge of construction , general handyman. first building temporary prison building 200 feet (61 m) long , made of red brick. year after michigan city prison opened, prison labor outside of institution started; inmates employed @ cooperage firm making barrels, receiving 38 cents day. first prison school started in 1861 prisoners learn chaplain 5 days week. later prison started charging 25 cents per visitor boost prison revenue.

at turn of century, prison increased twice size. 1930 prisoners placed in 2 cell houses contained 230 , 340 cells respectively, , 3 dormitories, considered among best in country. during same time period, 900 acres (3.6 km) of farmland in use prison on land leased state. hospital built in 1943 1,000 square feet (93 m). in late 1950s, arguably 1 of finest state recreational facilities opened @ prison.

from 1960 1990, minor renovations implemented @ state prison. in 1992, new type of food door locking capability each cell designed. year later, first hot meal served in dining room, , in same year, inmates received 3 meals day first time. thereafter, new riot system put effect in dormitories e , f.

michigan city known having housed 2 famous inmates during tenure. john dillinger spent time in michigan city 1929 until paroled in 1933. few months after dillinger made parole, on september 26, ten inmates, including harry pierpont, charles makley, russell clark, , ed shouse, escaped of 3 pistols dillinger had smuggled prison.

the other famous inmate d.c. stephenson. in 1922 stephenson became 1 of powerful grand dragons of ku klux klan. in 1925 raped woman named madge oberholtzer. died month later either poison or bite marks being raped. same year convicted of second degree murder , sent indiana state prison 31 years.

michigan city had cemetery prisoners when prison first opened in 1860; however, cemetery no longer exists. new prison cemetery in michigan city has around 350 prisoners buried on premises. sam thomas first offender buried in new cemetery on june 10, 1927.

before 1913 executions in indiana done hanging. on february 20, 1914, first electrocution occurred. 1913 1994 executions performed via electric chair. lethal injection has been used in indiana 1995 present. state executions must carried out in indiana state prison. prison has or had cat adoption program.