Joliet Correctional Center, also known as Joliet Prison, is a former prison in Joliet, Illinois, United States. Established in 1858 and closed in 2002, the prison is known for its imposing architecture, infamous inmates, and appearances in popular movies and television shows.
Construction and Convict Labor
The construction process for Joliet Prison commenced in 1858, with convict labor being leased to contractor Lorenzo P. Sanger and Warden Samuel K. Casey by the state. The limestone required for building the prison was sourced on-site. In May 1858, the first batch of 33 inmates arrived from Alton to initiate work, while the last group of prisoners was transferred in July 1860.
The use of convict labor was not uncommon during this time, as it provided a cost-effective solution for the state and served as a form of punishment and rehabilitation for the inmates. The prisoners were tasked with constructing the prison walls and building various facilities within the prison grounds.
Inmate Population and Notable Prisoners
The population of Joliet Prison has fluctuated over the years, with a record high of 1,239 inmates in 1872. In addition, the prison has housed criminals and war prisoners, such as those captured during the Civil War.
Notable inmates include Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, who were given life sentences in 1924 after kidnapping and murdering Robert Franks in what was known as “the crime of the century.” The duo revamped the prison’s educational system, adding a high school curriculum for inmates seeking tertiary education.
Another infamous inmate, Lester Joseph Gillis (Baby Face Nelson), was released from Joliet Prison in 1933. In the 1957 film “Baby Face Nelson,” a replica of the prison’s foyer is depicted, showing Gillis, portrayed by Mickey Rooney, entering and exiting the facility carrying a suitcase.
Quasi-Ethical Hepatitis Experiments
In the late 1960s, Joliet Correctional Center became the center of a controversial series of hepatitis experiments conducted by the US Army.
The experiments involved exposing inmates, many of whom were Vietnam-draft conscientious objectors, to the hepatitis A virus through unsanitary means, such as consuming feces-laden chocolate milkshakes or coming into direct contact with the feces of infected inmates.
These experiments aimed to mass-produce and isolate the virus responsible for hepatitis A, a disease commonly associated with overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in prisons and military camps.
The experiments were deemed “quasi-ethical” due to the questionable methods employed and the lack of informed consent from the inmates who participated. The long-term effects and outcomes of these experiments are not well-documented, but their legacy remains a dark chapter in the history of Joliet Prison.
Architectural Features and Layout
Joliet Prison’s original plans included a one-hundred-cell “Female Cell House” inside the male prison. From 1859 to 1870, female inmates were accommodated close to the male prisoners’ cells. Subsequently, they were relocated to the central administration building’s fourth floor.
In 1896, a separate one-hundred-cell facility, known as “Joliet Women’s Prison,” was constructed across the street from the men’s prison. This new facility was designed as a miniature replica of the male prison.
The prison was slow to modernize, with no running water or toilets in the cells as late as 1910. The establishment of the Stateville Correctional Center in 1925 resulted in the transfer of many of Joliet’s most infamous inmates to the modern facility. However, Joliet continued to expand and adapt to the changing needs of the criminal justice system.
The architecture of Joliet Prison is characterized by its Gothic Revival style, featuring tall, imposing limestone walls, turrets, and a central administration building flanked by cellblocks. The prison layout is based on the “Telephone Pole” design, where cellblocks radiate from the main hub. This design allows for easy surveillance and control of inmate movement.
Tourism and Future Plans
Since 2018, the Joliet Area Historical Museum began offering prison tours for Route 66 travelers and other interested parties. These tours include history-focused tours, photography-friendly tours, and private group tours.
In addition to tourism, there have been discussions about repurposing the prison site for other uses, such as a training facility for law enforcement or a center for rehabilitation and reentry programs. However, no concrete plans have been announced as of yet.
Famous Movies and TV Shows
Joliet Correctional Center has been featured in numerous movies and television shows. Its distinctive architecture and history provide an ideal backdrop for incarceration and crime stories. Some of the most notable appearances include:
- The Blues Brothers (1980): In this iconic comedy film, the opening scene features Joliet Jake Blues, played by John Belushi, being released from Joliet Prison. The imposing exterior and the prison gates are prominently featured in the movie.
- Prison Break (2005-2009): The popular television series set in a maximum-security prison was primarily filmed at Joliet Prison, which was transformed into the fictional Fox River State Penitentiary. The prison’s interiors and exteriors were used extensively throughout the series, showcasing the facility’s architecture and making it an instantly recognizable location for show fans.
- Derailed (2005): This thriller film starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston includes a scene where an inmate escapes from Joliet Prison, highlighting the facility’s imposing limestone walls.
- Let’s Go to Prison (2006): This comedy film, starring Dax Shepard and Will Arnett, was filmed on location at Joliet Prison. The prison’s distinctive architecture and layout were used to create the fictional Rossmore State Penitentiary.
These appearances have further cemented Joliet Correctional Center’s place in popular culture, contributing to the site’s allure for tourists and fans of movies and television shows featuring the prison.
Conclusion
Joliet Prison’s history is marked by its role as a site of incarceration for infamous criminals, its controversial hepatitis experiments, and its appearances in popular media. Today, the prison serves as a tourist destination with potential for further development.
The prison’s distinctive architecture, rich history, and connections to popular culture ensure that it will remain an iconic and fascinating location for years to come.
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