Old Prison Museum

While we were in Deer Lodge, Montana, we served some time in prison.  :)

This prison was established in 1871, and was active until 1979, when it was moved about 4 miles out of town.

To walk around the grounds, was honestly depressing.  To know that there were hundreds, if not, thousands of men and women who served here, and even died here, just saddened my heart.  It was fun and interesting, but then, it was also very sobering at the same time.

The outside walls are 24ft. tall and 4 feet thick!  They are also 4ft. underground, so good luck trying to dig your way out....infact, no one did.

On our self-guided tour, we even went inside the prison.  They allowed access into the offices of the warden and chaplain, into the cells, mess hall, and 'shower area.'  (The showers were literally an open room with 3 shower heads on the wall.  The prisoner moved from one to the next, first, getting wet, then using soap, then rinsing off.  It made you feel like cattle, and you had no privacy AT ALL!  Just awful.)

Here are some of the 'homemade' weapons that were found or confiscated from prisoners.

As we entered the cell area, we immediately felt a coldness.  It was so creepy.  You could not help but envision someone spending their days within these walls

Home sweet home?  This is a cell.  Built for two.
This was a great reminder to us all, how thankful we are for our freedom!

Down below, we found, "The Hole."  These are seperate cells with no bed, toilet or windows, for the disobedient prisoners.  There was a small peep-hole on the door, that a little light would shine through, only in the day time, of course. 

Walking through our first prison was definitely eye-opening to say the least!  It was interesting to know all the safety and security measures that took place, and to see how criminals live, but it was also SO sad.  I am thankful for our prison systems, and to know that there are consequences for wrong doing, but as a mother, I thought of all those other mothers, whose sons or daughters ended up here.  I found myself praying for my children in a new way that day.  I also prayed for my country in a new way. 

I'd say this experience is one that will definitely 'stick' with us. 
Blessings,
Steph