answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Brief History...

On July 1, 1876, the first seven inmates entered the Territorial Prison at Yuma, and were locked into the new cells they had built themselves. A total of 3,069 prisoners, including 29 women, lived within these walls during the prison's thirty-three years of operation. Their crimes ranged from murder to polygamy, with grand larceny being the most common. A majority served only portions of their sentences due to the ease with which paroles and pardons were obtained. One hundred eleven persons died while serving their sentences, most from tuberculosis, which was common throughout the territory. Of the many prisoners who attempted escape, twenty-six were successful, but only two were from within the prison confines. No executions took place at the prison because capital punishment was administered by the county government. Despite an infamous reputation, written evidence indicates that the prison was humanely administered, and was a model institution for its time. The only punishments were the dark cells for inmates who broke prison regulations, and the ball and chain for those who tried to escape. During their free time, prisoners hand-crafted many items. Those items were sold at public bazaars held at the prison on Sundays after church services. Prisoners also had regular medical attention, and access to a good hospital. Schooling was available for convicts, and many learned to read and write in prison. The prison housed one of the first "public" libraries in the territory, and the fee charged to visitors for a tour of the institution was used to purchase books. One of the early electrical generating plants in the West furnished power for lights and ran a ventilation system in the cellblock. By 1907, the prison was severely overcrowded, and there was no room on Prison Hill for expansion. The convicts constructed a new facility in Florence, Arizona. The last prisoner left Yuma on September 15, 1909. The Yuma Union High School occupied the buildings from 1910 to 1914. Empty cells provided free lodging for hobos riding the freights in the 1920s, and sheltered many homeless families during the Depression. Townspeople considered the complex a source for free building materials. This, plus fires, weathering, and railroad construction, destroyed the prison walls and all buildings except the cells, main gate and guard tower; but these provide a glimpse of convict life a century ago.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What info do you have on Yuma Territorial Prison?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

When was Yuma Territorial Prison created?

Yuma Territorial Prison was created in 1876. It operated as a prison from 1876 to 1909 and is now a historical site in Yuma, Arizona.


What is the phone number of the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park in Yuma Arizona?

The phone number of the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is: 520-783-4771.


I'm doing a research essay on the Yuma Territorial Prison for school but I'm missing something important How much money was raised in renovating the yuma territorial prison in 1939?

The amount of money raised for the Yuma Territorial Prison in 1939, is not listed online. According to the AZ State Park official site, money was raised in 1939 to renovate the tower and to build a museum.


How many women and men were in the Yuma Territorial Prison?

3,069 prisoners, 29 were women


Is there a list of inmates for the yuma territorial prison?

Yes there is a list of names. I just visited yuma prison today it was very interesting. There is a cemetery with all the prisoner's name on a a stone.


Where is the Yuma Crossing State Park in Yuma Arizona located?

The address of the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is: , Yuma, AZ 85366-8792


What are three tourist attractions in or around Yuma AZ?

A neat place to visit would be the Territorial Prison State Park. There are also museums and several other state parks that could be checked out like Yuma Crossing State Historic Park.


When was Minnesota Territorial Prison created?

Minnesota Territorial Prison was created in 1941.


How old is Yuma's tutorial prison?

2016


Can you give a name of two of Arizona's state parks?

Yuma Territorial Prison State Park.Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park.Slide Rock State Park.Fort Verde State Historiic Park.


What is the web address of the Wyoming Territorial Prison Msm in Laramie Wyoming?

The web address of the Wyoming Territorial Prison Msm is: http://www.wyoprisonpark.org


Are there any hiking trails in Yuma?

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Yuma Conservation Garden Telegraph Pass Trail Desert Paradise RV Resort Capri RV Resort Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park   Saved to your Map Mesa Verde RV Resort Suni Sands RV Resort Araby Acres RV Resort Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park