HISTORIC IOWA STATE PENITENTIARY

Historic Iowa State Penitentiary was founded in 1839, making it one of the oldest prisons west of the Mississippi River. Historic ISP’s main building was constructed in 1857. It is notable for its Gothic Revival architecture, featuring a distinctive stone façade and imposing design elements.

The prison was originally designed to house inmates in a "reformatory" style, which emphasized solitary confinement and a strict routine aimed at rehabilitation.

The Iowa State Penitentiary stands as a testament to the evolution of the American penal system, reflecting changes in criminal justice practices and architectural styles over nearly two centuries.

BUILDINGS AND VIEWS OF HISTORIC ISP

PEOPLE OF HISTORIC IOWA STATE PENITENTIARY

JACK NUTTER: Any one who served as correctional officer, administrator, counselor, etc. at the Iowa State Prison in recent years will remember Jack Nutter who passed away at the new prison December 8, 2021 at age 84.
This picture was when he mustered into death row in 1957 as a 19 year old condemned man. As years went by Iowa did away with the death penalty and Jack spent years behind the walls he loved. After he was transferred to new Correctional Center he wanted to return to home - the old prison. Find his interview on the documentary “The Fort: 177 Years of Law & Punishment at the Iowa State Penitentiary” at the bottom of this page.

UNIFORMS: Three grades of prisoners uniforms in 1917.

PRISON PHOTOGRAPHS:

ROBERT POINDEXTER: The fastest inmate at the Iowa State Prison, Robert Poindexter, pictured gained international recognition in 1960 for running a four minute mile, the only person in a penal institution to do so.'
Back in the days that ISP had great open to public sporting events with baseball, softball, football, wrestling, boxing teams that played opponents from as far as Chicago area.