Iowa State Penitentiary - Fort Madison, Iowa

Iowa State Penitentiary - Fort Madison, Iowa

 

The Prison is a place to look at but you certainly don’t want to be a resident! The penitentiary was built in 1839 this is a maximum secutiry prison.

Iowa State Penitentiary is the oldest prison west of the Mississippi. The original cell block is still in use today and several cell houses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nearly 900 inmates are housed at the Iowa State Penitentiary.

Prison Industries was active at ISP until the escape of two prisoners in
2006. Most of the work done at Fort Madison involved the production of wood furniture, primarily for colleges and universities. Fort Madison’s Prison Industries program was shutdown in the aftermath of the escapes.

This huge prison dominates the land on the north side of Fort Madison with it’s guard towers, thick stone construction, vintage architectual design and imposing apprearance.

Address: 31 Avenue G, PO Box 316, Ft. Madison, Iowa 52627

Iowa State Penitentiary
(Visits may not begin after 2:30 p.m.)
Monday 8:30 am-4:00 pm
Thursday 8:30 am-4:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am-4:00 pm
Saturday 8:30 am-4:00 pm
Sunday 8:30 am-4:00 pm