Old Idaho Penitentiary

09/05/2026

In 1935, John Woodbury ( #5210) broke into a Bannock County high school to steal two trumpets from the band room. That November, he entered the Penitentiary and reported his occupation as a musician by trade on his intake form. Authorities described him by saying, “this boy is not vicious but has the idea that he can live by larceny.”

Photo: Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society.

09/04/2026

Note: The Old Idaho Penitentiary will be open tomorrow (Saturday, September 5) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (last admission 2:00 pm), closing early at 3:00 pm for a private event.

The site is open all other days including Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (last admission 4:00 pm).

09/01/2026

Member presales for Idaho State Historical Society Members are now open for our 2026 lineup of Locktober events!

Sleepless in Stripes: Saturday, October 10, 6:00 pm to 7:00 am. Your chance to stay overnight at the Old Idaho Penitentiary in the site's historic cell houses. Includes meals, behind the scenes exploration, and more! 18+ only.
- ISHS Members can pre-purchase admission at: https://history.idaho.gov/event/sleepless2026/

Behind the Scenes Tours: Saturday, October 17, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Check out little-seen or off-limits areas of the historic Old Idaho Penitentiary. Recommended Ages 13+.
- ISHS Members receive free admission to this event! Pre-purchase at: https://history.idaho.gov/event/bts2026/

Paranormal Investigation: Saturday, October 24, 9:15 pm to 2:00 am. Tour the site with Big River Paranormal at night. 18+ only.
- Free to ISHS Members! Pre-purchase at: https://history.idaho.gov/event/paranormal-oct2026/

Fright Nights: Friday, October 30 (All Ages Night) and Saturday, October 31 (Adult Night), 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm each night. The Old Idaho Penitentiary's annual Halloween bash includes music, entertainment, food and alcohol for purchase, photo ops, and of course, haunted house experiences!
- ISHS Members can pre-purchase admission at: https://history.idaho.gov/events/

Not a Member? Head to https://history.idaho.gov/membership/ for more information, or to become one!

Public Registration for Old Idaho Penitentiary Locktober events begins Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) at 10:00 am.

08/31/2026

Here is an Old Idaho Penitentiary story to start your week.

A prosecuting attorney described Daniel Williams ( #5495; 6066) as a, “menace to society, a habitual and vicious criminal.” Born in Ely, Nevada, in 1920, Daniel’s family blamed his behavior on a head injury he received in his youth. At 14, he served time in Nevada reform schools. Officers arrested Daniel at 18 for stealing a car and exchanging gunfire with authorities in Wallace. Convicted of grand larceny, he served two years in the Idaho State Penitentiary.

After a conditional release, Daniel and William Hale ( #4749; 6067) stole a car, robbed a gas station, and killed Twin Falls police officer Craig T. Bracken during a gun battle. Daniel returned to prison for first-degree murder. In 1940, just before his 20th birthday, he submerged himself in a barrel of swill, using a stolen hose to breathe in attempt to escape prison.

Once outside the walls, he stole new clothing and enough money to buy candy bars and attend two movies. Authorities arrested Daniel and returned him to prison. Referred to as one of the most dangerous men in the institution, Daniel attempted many escapes, including holding a guard hostage with a knife and wounding the officer’s throat.

Daniel became a journeyman electrician while in prison. He received parole in 1957 and returned to Nevada.

For more of Daniel Williams' story, check out Episode 12 of Behind Gray Walls at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iaigcaWuZY&list=PLwkdhYajAQmalI84A5dP7JhaI3LJviAoK&index=158.

08/27/2026

Note: The Old Idaho Penitentiary will be closed for regular admission on Friday, September 11, Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, for a site rental. The site will be open to the public on September 12 and 13 through this rental (see below for more information).

08/19/2026

Time for a Captivating Conversation - FREE this Friday evening at the Old Idaho Penitentiary!

Escapes, riots, reform, recreation, and more, make up history of the Shirt Factory at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Journey through its history and discover the entire prison's evolution. Staff researcher Tate Sawyer will share rarely seen historic photos and decades of incredible stories.

- Friday, August 21, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
- Free to attend!
- Register online at https://history.idaho.gov/event/ccshirtfactory/ or at the door when you arrive.
- Enjoy complimentary refreshments and beverages during the presentation.

Here is a teaser - On June 21, 1923, five men took advantage of the building's construction and tried to escape. Hugh Henry Wilson ( #2772), Walter D. Smith ( #2866), Clarence Rousch ( #2967), Frank E. Walters ( #3190), and J.J. Wright ( #3220), all pictured, escaped from solitary confinement by sawing through bars and binding and gagging guards. They used planks for the Shirt Factory's roof to scale the wall and escape. It would not be until August 8 that one of the men, Frank Walters, would be recaptured in North Dakota and returned.

08/15/2026

08/13/2026

Only two days until 32 Cells! Enjoy some in-progress shots from one of this year's pieces from artist Katrina A. Knight, premiering in Saturday's art show here at the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

Mary Holmes ( #6036), born Pearl Jordan in Massachusetts in 1893, also used the aliases Mary Bishop, Mary Kelley, Edna Wolf, Margaret
Baker, Mary Kane, Edna Ryan, and Edna Black. Arrested for robbery in Michigan, shoplifting in Kansas, and grand larceny in Ohio, Mary migrated west committing petty thefts, paying fines, and serving time in county jails.

Authorities arrested Mary after attempting to steal $350 worth of fur coats in Boise. Sentenced to the Idaho State Penitentiary, Mary remained behind bars for 11 months and 22 days. She received a conditional pardon on October 5, 1940. Six months later, Texas authorities arrested her for grand larceny under the name Alice Carter. She then committed crimes in Connecticut, Maryland, and Delaware. Authorities discovered crimes from Mary in at least 15 states using 13 different aliases.

These stories span the country, touching all 50 United States and its Territories, and connect to our historic Old Idaho Penitentiary.

Enjoy an evening of art and history this Saturday, August 15, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm (last admission 9:15 pm). Grab more information and your admission at: https://history.idaho.gov/event/32cells2026/

08/11/2026

Here is a sneak peak of one of the pieces (and stories) from this Saturday's 32 Cells Art Show!

Artist Rebecca Mulberry's work is inspired by the story of Joy De Cheverieux ( #5341), arrested at 17 in 1936 for robbery.

The Ogden Standard-Examiner ran a story under the headline, “Girl Bandit is Sentenced: Pretty 22-Year-Old Joyce De Cheverieux Must Serve Five Years for Armed Robbery.” Long Beach, California-born Joy convinced a driver who had picked her up while hitchhiking in McCammon, Idaho, to go to a remote area where accomplices Lynn Crosby and Jess Cox waited. The trio robbed Lockwood of $17 but were eventually apprehended. The state only sentenced Joy, the only one of the three with a past criminal record.

In May 1937, Joy, along with Marjorie Bess ( #5463), escaped the Women’s Ward after piling boxes and chairs against the wall. The women were captured two hours after their escape, hiding in the sagebrush. Both were returned to the prison but received no extra time for the escape. The following October, Joy received parole and moved back to California.

Be sure to join us for this uniquely-Idaho art show and to hear more stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents from each of the United States, this Saturday, August 15, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm (last admission 9:15 pm). More info and pre-registration at: https://history.idaho.gov/event/32cells2026/