Historic Iowa State Men's Penitentiary was commissioned as a territorial prison before Iowa was established as a state. From circa 1839 to 2015 this fortress operated as Iowa’s Mens Maximum Security Unit. The original cell house still stands behind the institution's wall, with many structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic ISP was phased out of operation and the p
risoners moved to a new state-of-the-art prison precisely 1.5 miles from the original location. is attempting to work with local, state and federal agencies, as well as community members and the Department of Corrections, to formulate a sustainable use of these original structures. Its worth historically and educationally, as well as the potential to generate economic growth within the region, is undeniable. It is our mission to formulate a decisive plan of action that would result in the preservation and repurposing of this culturally significant institution, surviving more than 175 years as an intricate component of America's history.
