Iowa State Penitentiary est. 1839
Tommy-the-sparrow
Cons with Cameras "First in the World"
Tommy-the-Sparrow
Tommy Canelin
Fort Madison, Iowa - Iowa State Penitentiary
Prison Press
Convicts with cameras - First in the World
Internaional recognition
Ft. Madison prison publication,
Presidio, rated
best in the nation
First inmate in a prison to run a
four minute mile
In Memoriam
Historical Photos and Stories Dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives in the performance of duty to the State of Iowa, at the Iowa State Penitentiary.
John Elder                        April 22, 1882

Robert Hart                       July 9, 1940

Samuel Reed                     April 11, 1969

Joseph Kruse                    June 8, 1972

Gerald Featheringill            February 18, 1979

Scott Bryant                      May 17, 2004
Nine Iowa prisons 30 US prisons
33 Wardens from 1839 to 2003
Progress time line 1839-2003
Welcome to this photographic archive of ISP's history. My name is Paul May guardian of this collection.The Iowa State Penitentiary is the oldest continuously operated prison west of the Mississippi River It was built as the first territorial prison, in 1839.
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Photo Archive 1100 photos & 50 stories about ISP History
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Established  May 2003
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