Located in the state capitol of Jefferson City, the centuries old Missouri State Penitentiary still stands proud, towering high above the muddy banks of the Missouri River, while still serving as a standing symbol of the criminal justice system and its evolution over time. The prison first opened its doors back in 1836 and operated for a whopping 168 years before finally closing down in 2004.
The Missouri State Penitentiary often referred to as MSP for short, has a truly unique architectural design, with its distinctive Gothic Revival style buildings and giant intimidating stone walls solidifying a harsh reminder of a now bygone era within our country’s criminal justice system.
Throughout its long and storied history, the prison housed some of the most notorious criminals in the State of Missouri, as its imposing walls bore witness to the harsh realities of incarceration during the troubling times of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Some of the notable inmates included Martin Luther King Jr assassin James Earl Ray, reputed gangster and bank robber Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, heavyweight champ boxer Sonny Liston, Missouri’s death row love story couple child killers Carl Austin Hall and Bonnie Brown Heady, and serial killer Charles Ray Hatcher.
Not only did Missouri State Pen serve as a central hub for the state's most dangerous and violent offenders, but in addition, it was also known for housing inmates who were sentenced to hard labor in extreme conditions and constant isolation. Built using prisoners' grueling physical labor, the penitentiary's imposing walls and guard towers were meant to deter potential escape attempts and remind inmates of their deserving confinement.
Anyone who broke the rules were often sent to the "hole," a dark and dank solitary confinement cell where they were left to languish in pure isolation. Despite its dark and troubled history, the penitentiary also played a role in the state's efforts at rehabilitation and reform, aiming to prepare the inmates for life outside of prison, but nothing could shake it from its painful reputation as “the bloodiest 47 acres in America.”
Exploring Missouri State Penitentiary gave us a real life glimpse into the harsh realities of life behind bars. From the cramped and claustrophobic cells in death row to the chilling execution chamber, the prison is a sobering reminder of the consequences of criminal behavior.