West Virginia Penitentiary

Images of America: West Virginia

by Jonathan D. Clemins

One of the most notoriously dangerous and deadly correctional facilities in the US, this history of the legendary penitentiary in West Virginia will make you reconsider a life of crime. In 1863, the newly formed West Virginia lacked a state penitentiary to house convicted felons. As a result, construction began in July 1866 on the West Virginia Penitentiary, the second public building constructed in the state. The infamous and foreboding West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville was known as one of the bloodiest institutions in the United States. With an extensive history of violence, the prison was ranked on the Department of Justice's Top Ten Most Violent Correctional Facilities list. Nearly 1,000 inmates perished within the stone walls of the prison, many of whom are said to still be serving their sentence, even after death. Many inmates were tortured, executed, murdered, or committed suicide. Plagued by these horrific events, the prison is a hotspot for paranormal activity. Images of West Virginia Penitentiary chronicles the fascinating history of a notorious prison from the planning stages to present day.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2010

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very informative with fantastic pictures. I've been to the West Virginia Penitentiary three times in the past 10 years. Once for an overnight stay (first time there and that is what I chose to do), once for a day-time tour, and once for a day-time paranormal tour. Each time I learned something new and was more fascinated by all the information about this place. And this book was full of things I didn't know. It was also a lot of fun comparing the prison from when it was in operation to what I see in my visits. Nothing like seeing the Sugar Shack full of lights and recreational materials, because when I saw it there was no light aside from our flashlights and I don't think my "this place be spooky, can we go?" was much in the way of recreation. Though, I think I'd rather go with spooky than what happened in that room...
If you have the interest, I highly suggest this book. And go on a tour of the place. All the tour guides are fantastic and knowledgable.

[Amy Torcaso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of pictures and you read the captions. We took the boys there about 5 years ago. I find places like that fascinating in the daytime. Chris wants to go to those places at night.