Laramie - Wyoming Territorial Prison

The Prison was created in July 1869 to house outlaws, violent and desparate men (and in total 13 women) who plagued the territory as more settlers moved into the area. In 1872 US Marshal Frank Walcott accepted the keys to the prison and Warden N. K. Boswell prepared for prisoners. The Auburn Prison System was adopted by Wyoming Territorial Prison (WTP). This system required convicts to be silent at all times, wear black and white striped uniforms, replace names with numbers, and move about the prison in "lockstep".

Work was mandatory, so they grew potatoes, cut ice blocks for the prison and UP railroad, quarried stone, manufactured bricks, brooms (which volunteers still make and sell today) and candles. So me convicts because me skilled artisans building furniture, horse-hair braided bridles, taxidermy and hand rolled cigars. Their labor was also hired out to local businesses and the prison received monies for its operations. Convicts used this opportunity to recruit future gangs and plan escapes.

Between 1872-1890 WTP was a Federal and later ( 1891-1903 ) a state penitentiary. During this time 1,063 convicts walked through the doors occupied the 5x8 cells (2 to a cell). Each cell contained 2 beds, a small bench and a chamber pot of sorts which was emptied twice a day. The cells had steel barred doors and one vent to bring in fresh air and one to take out bad air.  When Wyoming became a state in 1890 and a new state penal institution as built in Rawlins.

The prisons most famous convict was Butch Cassidy.

We almost left Jim there, but they wouldn't keep him.

Guards would lock themselves in this cage to guard themselves against the company convicts .

Butch Cassidy