The Fascinating History of the Anamosa State Penitentiary

Today, I visited the Anamosa State Penitentiary, a maximum-security prison built in 1873. The prison was built with locally sourced limestone and has an imposing façade that seems to warn any would-be criminals to stay far away. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the prison – it has housed some of America’s most notorious criminals, including John Wayne Gacy and Alvin Karpis. I also learned about the various escape attempts that have happened over the years. Despite its dark past, the staff at the prison are dedicated to rehabilitation and providing education and skills training to its inmates. It was inspiring to see the transformative power of education and how it can change lives for the better.