Welcome to the Street Prophets Coffee Hour, an open thread conveniently located at the intersection of Religion and Politics. Since religious leaders and politicians occasionally find themselves going to jail, I thought it might interesting to start off today by looking at a prison cell house.
First, some background: In 1871, the Montana Territorial Prison opened in Deer Lodge. In 1889, Montana became a state which meant that it assumed the responsibility for funding and operating the prison. Inadequate funding and overcrowded conditions continued at the prison. In 1979, the state constructed a new prison and the old facility, which resembled a European castle with its high rock walls and towers, was abandoned. Today the Old Montana Prison is preserved and operated as a museum by the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation under a lease agreement with the State of Montana.
To ease overcrowded conditions, the Cell House shown above was constructed in 1912 using convict labor. Each cell had running water, a flush toilet, and good ventilation.
Open Thread
This is an open thread: all topics are welcome.
Feel free to post photos of your favorite prison.