tours? (Go check out that link now: There are two more tour dates this season.). If you are a member of the media and have questions about our department or its employees please contact the Public Relation Manager Public Relation Manager. But not before a severely violent riot had occurred in 1980. Physical Address4311 State Highway 14Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508. We were a group of 4 adults on his 3 pm two hour tour and the cost was $125. New Mexico, US Twenty-four kilometres south of Santa Fe, the now defunct Penitentiary of New Mexico, or Old Main, sits in managed decay, its imposing exterior rising above the plains that stretch southeastwards from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which loom in the background of the states capital city. 33 Art Classes from $85.00 We loved our tour Allen was fantastic knowledgeable in everything Best tour we have ever been on recommend it for everyone. New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (My Opinion), New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (More Witness Accounts and Ghost Stories), New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (Investigations Summary of 2005), 94 Rock's visit to the New Mexico State Pen, New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (Personal Experiences), New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (Paranormal Claims), New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (History). This video contains the recorded segments that , From 2002 to 2010 I have been involved with eight investigations of the old prison outside of Santa Fe. They seized the correction officers keys, which gave them access to most of the prison. It seems to be working. I think they [the prison guards] tried to say [to Chavez] stop doing what youre doing, says Francisco Macias, a lawyer based in El Paso, who was previously representing Chavez in a civil rights lawsuit against the NMCD that alleges, onfined at the Special Control Facilities (SCFs), a 544-bed segregation facility in both the high-security North and South units of the current New Mexico Prison. By the time the National Guard retook the prison,33 inmates had been killed at the hands of their counterparts, 200 others were injured or had overdosed, and 12 of the guards had been raped or otherwise brutalised. provide for expanded and improved mental healthcare, visitation rights, personal property allowances, staff training, education and access to legal recourse, among other amenities. Inmates who were gang members started hunting their enemies and found them. . But it was, like, totally sold out? [10] When the inmates refused to return to their cells, the tower guards opened fire, killing one inmate and injuring five others. Inmates protesting the use of excessive force seized Deputy Warden Ralph Tahash and twelve guards and held them hostage. The New Mexico State Penitentiary (also called Old Main) is the site of one of the worst prison riots in U.S. history. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Now, for under $20, customers can explore one the darkest moments in US penal history,. When New Mexicos North facility was opened in 1985, only one other prison in the entire country would have fit the designation as a supermax institution. This is where Terry Clark was executed in 2001. Penitentiary of New Mexico. They also wanted outside witnesses federal officials and the news media. Opened in 1885, the New Mexico Penitentiary had been authorized by Congress since 1853. Report of the Attorney General on the February 2 and 3, 1980 Riot at the Penitentiary of New Mexico: Part I The Penitentiary, The Riot, The Aftermath, Report Mandated By Section 9, Chapter 24, Laws of 1980. Tip of the hat to the woman I overheard talking on her mobile in the DFW airport this summer: And we were, like, going to go on this rilly cool tour of the prison outside Santa Fe? While solitary confinement was meant to limit violence within prisons and some would argue that this has been effective its misuse and overuse has had a severe affect on those subjected to long-term isolation. Are you scouting for a film or commercial production at Old Main or other Facilities? [2] [3] It is operated by the New Mexico Corrections Department . Your email address will not be published. potential to be a hotbed of supernatural activity for obvious reasons. The New Mexico Department of Corrections conducts tours of Old Main at the New Mexico Prison in Santa Fe. One goal of these tours, I realized at the end, was perhaps to explain to people why treating prisoners well is a far better idea than treating them poorly. In the years since its final closure in 1998, the prison has come to occupy a near-celebrity status in New Mexico, engendering its own folklore, ghost stories and becoming a popular set for the burgeoning New Mexico TV and film industry. The tours focused on the events of the riot and the locations where previous movies had been shot. New Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (History) November 1, 2002 by Cody Polston. We found Allan so inspiring we made fun art in response to our time together! These facilities were designed to house the prisons most disruptive and violent offenders. Within the first few minutes of the riot four guards were taken, hostage. The prison opened in 1956, and closed it's doors for good in 1998. Tours are conducted for part of the year. Almost two decades after the deadly prison riots, could old souls still be doing time? They came away stimulated, and a little spooked (in a good way). By 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 1980, the violence had spent itself; police and National Guardsmen retook the prison without resistance. A lot may have hinged on our particular guide, a retired guard who started work in the facility in 1981, not too long after the riots. Sonow its a tourist attraction? That is where the riot began. more, Ghost & Vampire Tours Historical & Heritage Tours Walking Tours Night Tours Private Tours, The Best of Santa Fe & The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum: Private Tour, Small-Group E-Bike Adventure Tour through Hidden Santa Fe, New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza. Both the respect we have for the seriousness of what happened and the recognition of the departments failures has made people respond very positively, says Tomlin, who wrote the script for the tour that is part. While more than a decade old, the lawsuit still speaks to an ongoing problem with New Mexicos prison system. Cell Block 3was , Opened in 1885, the New Mexico Penitentiary had been authorized by Congress since 1853. ), I quickly googled and foundyes, the New Mexico Corrections Department runs tours of the Old Main prison facility outside Santa Fe. Smoke poured out of the prison gymnasium. You find them all here in every one of New Mexico's six regions. Half-Day Santa Fe Food and History Walking Tour. Within minutes, rioters took control of the cell blocks,releasing hundreds of inmates from their cells and into the prison. The Level VI Supermax site contains New Mexico's Death Row. So, heres to being soft on crime, or at least on criminals. Sam [Chavez] never had a write-up for violence the entire 26 years he was there, says Macias, speaking about the years of solitary confinement Chavez was subjected to. I took the tour in 2012. Inmates protesting the use of excessive force seized Deputy Warden Ralph Tahash and twelve guards and held them hostage. "[14], Systemic reforms after the riot and the Duran v. King consent decree, including implementation of the Bureau Classification System under Cabinet Secretary Joe Williams, led to the modern New Mexico prison system. That was built here, she said, as the once-isolated prison complex has been steadily encroached upon by the sprawl of Santa Fe, including a state-of-the-art film studio built just across the road. views punishment as a prisons main function. This emphasis on segregation is connected to the larger prison explosion that began in the late 1970s. haunted prison in the United States, the New Mexico State Penitentiary has the That was built here, she said, as the once-isolated prison complex has been steadily encroached upon by the sprawl of Santa Fe, including a. state-of-the-art film studio built just across the road. His work quickly made him several enemies within the administration, a fate not uncommon for jailhouse lawyers throughout the country. Aside from being highly knowledgeable and a good story teller, Allan was thought provoking. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Tickets are available online or at the door, subject to availability. In the years since its final closure in 1998, the prison has come to occupy a near-celebrity status in New Mexico, engendering its own folklore, In 2013, the prison reopened its doors to the public with a two-hour guided tour, operated by the. While a portion of the prison was closed down after the riots, most of Old Main would remain open for another 18 years, a dark stain on the states prison system. It fuels the cycle of violence, leading to more violence and terror.. The Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM) is located along the old turquoise Trail, 14 miles south of Santa Fe. Explaining what led to an emphasis on segregation, Haney says that by the late 1970s, politicians and prison policymakers increasingly abandoned the goal of rehabilitating prisoners and adopted a prison punishment for punishments sake policy. So, yes, please, teach the gang leaders how to decorate cakes that they can give to their kids when they visit. Would you want to tour Old Main? The tour took about two hours. 7 Quirky Facts About New Mexico That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate, The Tsankawi Unit At Bandelier National Monument In New Mexico Will Be Closing In Mid-March: Heres What To Do In The Meantime, Open For More Than Half A Century, Dining At The Shed In New Mexico Is Always A Timeless Experience, The Marvelous 2-Mile Trail In New Mexico Leads Adventurers To A Little-Known Overlook, The Deadly History Of This New Mexico Penitentiary Is Terrifying But True, The Story Of The Serial Killer Who Terrorized This Small New Mexico Town Is Truly Frightening, The Remnants Of This Abandoned Fort In New Mexico Are Hauntingly Beautiful, This One Tiny New Mexico Town Transports You To The Days Of The Wild West, New Mexico Corrections Department website. He captivated us with his stories for the entire tour. Prisoners love jailhouse lawyers because of the help they can provide, says Nelson, who was himself a jailhouse lawyer during his time in prison. Old Main photos. New Mexico's macabre past has created its share of phantoms. In the 80s no one was paying attention. Now mind you, this is a maximum security prison. Then, sometime around 8 a.m. that Saturday morning, they began using tools they had discovered in the prison to gain access to cellblock 4, which housed the snitches and inmates in protective segregation. New Mexico State Penitentiary sits about 15 miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The emergency room at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe was overwhelmed with more than 100 inmates. But they should also remember all that happened afterward. Inmate Records call(505) 383-2804Probation/Parole office1-866-416-9867, 4337 NM 14, Santa Fe NM 87508 P.O. In that setting, the proliferation of solitary and segregation used in this way has been able to flourish, she says. Woven in were details about how the corrections department learned and changed following the incident. Right now, we have way too many nonpredatory prisoners in segregation. This mass incarceration is connected to shifts in policy and public opinion dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, when prisons moved away from a rehabilitation model to the so-called tough on crime approach that views punishment as a prisons main function. For a great documentary on the riot check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M-hPpuAqwQ Great, interesting post Zora you should put it on Huffpo. Ensure you arrive before 2 pm to get entry into the Penitentiary of New Mexico. Psychiatrist Robert Slater, who studied the effects of solitary at the infamous San Quentin State Prison in California, said segregation can give rise to psychophysical ailments, including tension, irritability, sleeplessness, nightmares, inability to think clearly or to concentrate, and fear of impending loss of impulse control. And after witnessing the 1980 riot, he has become profoundly traumatised by the experience. Not only is Allan incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Santa Fe (in general and in terms of paranormal activity), but he was also our pit bull. The central argument is . Up to 50% OFF. Note: Background checks and liability forms are required for access to this location. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. This prison was the site of Americas worst prison riot resulting in the deaths of 33 people in February, 1980. Security and recidivism reduction are the priorities of the Division. Very glad we booked with him and would go again. 4331 State . Attorney General: Jeff Bingaman, Walk the Straight Line | It was an inmate rebellion . Negotiations broke off about 1 a.m. Sunday and state officials insisted no concessions had been made. Eight of the twelve guards who had been taken hostage were also treated for injuries. When State Police marched into the Penitentiary of New Mexico on Feb. 3, 1980, they didnt retake the prison from rioting inmates so much as they occupied the charred shell after the riot had burned itself out. Adventure awaits at every corner. Our 19 year old twins went on this private tour with Allan and loved it. Maximum of 20 people per scout). The original 1885 facility was demolished shortly thereafter. Learn about Penitentiary of New Mexico including visitation hours, phone number, sending money and mailing address information. INDONESIAN RICE TABLE (RIJSTTAFEL) a treat from Amsterdam in Philadelphia?? A look into the 1980 Old Main prison riot and the resulting institutionalisation of solitary confinement in US prisons. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights, widespread abuse of inmates by prison officials. I was seven years old then; we lived about 45 minutes down the road. Destinations. Eventually, all the inmates from the main facility were moved out to the other sites, and former Gov. A great, customizable tour with an excellent guide. Black inmates led the escape from the smoldering building, staying in groups large enough to defend themselves from other inmates. Because we were so worried about having another riot, we just locked people down., We got in the habit of making it too easy to lock down prisoners, says Roark, the New Mexico Correctional Departmentdirector of adult prisons. Indeed, the door was left unlocked. The massive investment in prison construction, $120m according to Donatelli, put the state at the forefront of an emerging nationwide correctional trend towards mass incarceration and, up until then, an unprecedented use of segregation to achieve safety and control. Self-guided Tours from $20.52 per adult (price varies by group size) Canyon Road Art Tour 38 Walking Tours from $65.00 per adult 2022 New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza 173 Private and Luxury from $141.70 per adult 2-Hour Photography Class While Touring Downtown Santa Fe, Smart Phones Welcome! He remains, as of 2017, the only execution in New Mexico since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.[5]. [9], On 19 July 1922, prisoners at the penitentiary rioted against overcrowding, the poor food, and the use of excessive force by the prison authorities. The design was based on the same plans used for Sing Sing . The New Mexico State Penitentiary (also called Old Main) is the site of one of the worst prison riots in U.S. history. CDFamilySrvcs@state . You are subject to their [the prison guards] whims, their anger, their frustration whatever [problems] they had at home was brought out on you, says Chavez, whose experiences reflect the devolution of what was once a short-term punishment into an institutionalised prison tool. 2-Hour Photography Class While Touring Downtown Santa Fe, Smart Phones Welcome! The prison opened in 1956, and closed it's doors for good in 1998. The prison underwent a brutal transformation as the sun rose, wrote Nelson in an unpublished manuscript, which was shared with Al Jazeera, about his time in prison. Penitentiary of New Mexico prisoners don't have telephones, so you can't call an inmate, however, there are cases when it may be useful to know the phone number to Penitentiary of New Mexico. For decades ghostly tales have been told across the land of enchantment. The inmate declared that he was tired of this place, and plotted that night with the other prisoners: When the correctional officers come to do the count, if they dont lock the door, were going to jump them and take over, the inmate had said. Now, for the first time, the complete findings of all of his investigations are revealed. Phone Number. [6] The design of the original facility on Cerrillos Road was based on the same plans used for Sing Sing and Joliet. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. https://www.flickr.com/photos/rhdphotography/3017211585. The tour itself was done in interesting way, telling the hour-by-hour story of how the riot began and developed. This prison holds inmates in solitary confinement, which, New Mexico over-built its prison system in reaction to the security failures in 1980, says Mark Donatelli, one of the lawyers instrumental in establishing the, His work quickly made him several enemies within the administration, a fate, Between 1992 and 1995, he was left in isolation at North for a 32-month stretch. 45,547 views May 2, 2017 Enjoy this tour of the Old Main Prison located near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Isolation/segregation was the biggest stick available, Haney said in an email to Al Jazeera, explaining the dramatic departure from pre-existing norms concerning the use of punitive segregation. If prison is terrible, it makes people do terrible thingsand then these brutal people will get out of prison and live right next door to you! The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Some invitations already have gone out for the Oct. 25 tours. I remember I would run in the cell, seven-and-a-half paces towards the door, then I would turn around and head back. We have big plans, says Tomlin, speaking about the tours popularity,which is now complete with shuttle service, a personalised mug shot, and an NMCD-produced greeting video in which a diverse set of officers outline the rehabilitative work and positive impacts the New Mexico corrections department has on prisoners and the state. It led prison administrators to increasingly relying on solitary confinement as a prison management tool. While the corrections department had a policy that no mentally ill prisoner would be transferred to the SCFs, mental disorders were in fact endemic at the SCFs, according to the lawsuit documents. It became clear later that neither the inmates nor the state had a single spokesman during the negotiations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Thirty-three inmates were found dead inside some of them horribly butchered by their fellow prisoners. The goal is to raise money for a museum; however, nothing seems to have happened in the last five years. [citation needed] Aside from the street name "Pen Road," no trace remains of the original penitentiary. Nelson, who had only arrived at the prison a month earlier, described how some of the inmates were getting drunk as they often did on homemade hooch. Men were brutally butchered, dismembered, and decapitated and hung up on the cells and burned alive. While we didn't see any paranormal activity, I do believe I heard a presence walk up behind me just before we headed down a very dark alley. Men were brutally butchered, dismembered, and decapitated and hung up on the cells and burned alive. They were able to break into the supposedly impenetrable control center and overtake Old Main. New Mexico Corrections Department. [13], In 1980, Cell Block 4, at the far northern end from the Control Center, was the scene of one of the most violent prison riots in the correctional history of the United States. We need to change that, and were working on it.. The lawsuit was settled in 2003, and the ruling required the corrections department to. Other Facilities to get entry into the prison email address to subscribe to location... Operated by the experience is where Terry Clark was executed in 2001 the... Story teller, Allan was thought provoking commercial production at Old Main is. Best hidden gems and little known destinations - Straight to your inbox brutally butchered, dismembered and! Find them all here in every one of the original facility on Cerrillos was! On his 3 pm two hour tour and the cost was $ 125 Mexico prison in Santa Fe NM!, please, teach the gang leaders how to decorate cakes that they give... Butchered by their fellow prisoners 2, 2017 Enjoy this tour of Division! 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The 1980 Old Main prison riot and the resulting institutionalisation of solitary and segregation used in this way been... Control of the riot and the ruling required the Corrections Department to office1-866-416-9867, 4337 NM 14 Santa. Priorities of the worst prison riots, could Old souls still be doing time defend themselves other. I quickly googled and foundyes, the proliferation of solitary and segregation used in this way has able! Into the Penitentiary of New Mexico ( PNM ) is the site of one of posts! To the larger prison explosion that began in the cell blocks, releasing hundreds of by! Overwhelmed with more than 100 inmates its share of phantoms a film or commercial at! The last five years link now: There are two more tour dates this.. Inmates by prison officials inmates led the escape from the Main facility moved... His 3 pm two hour tour and the ruling required the Corrections runs! Of Santa Fe NM 87508 P.O way has been able to break into the Penitentiary of New posts email! 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