In this off-season episode, the team celebrates the release of 32 Cells: Artistic Reflections on the Old Idaho Penitentiary, a new book featuring over 70 local and regional artists that chronicles the first five years of the iconic 32 Cells Art Show. Anthony, Samuel, and Skye are joined by Old Pen staff member Jacey Brain, along with Idaho artists Sue Latta and Chopsy (aka Ryan Harrison). They discuss the creation and publication of the book, the artistic methods used to incorporate Old Pen history into their work, and the role of art in humanizing the prison experience.

Purchase a copy of the book here:
https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=9120

Visit Sue Latta's website here:
https://suelatta.com/

Visit Chopsy's website here:
https://www.itsmechopsy.com/

32 Cells: Artistic Reflections on the Old Idaho Penitentiary

On this our last episode before a small break, Anthony regales Skye and Samuel with the complicated story of possibly-blind and heavily tattooed (like 2/3 of the podcasts' hosts) #11401 (Forgery) #12493 (Murder in the First Degree and Escape) Frank "Tony" Grooms, while Skye (recently laid up with a freak-accident ankle-break) tells the story of the only resident of the Women's Ward to hail from the Duck Valley Reservation #6857 Woffie Bitt (Forgery).

Oral History:
Melvin Aldous #11458, August 24, 1985, Idaho State Archives.

You can pick up your tickets to our Halloween Event - Squawky & Spirits - here:
https://history.idaho.gov/event/squawky-spirits-2024/

EP 95 - Grooms And Bitt

“Behind Gray Walls” is a podcast featuring stories from the men and women who lived and worked at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. Each week, Anthony, Samuel, and Skye explore prisoners whose crimes led them to serve time at the "Old Pen." Their history is explored in depth and compared to corrections topics faced in communities today.

To support this podcast, visit: https://history.idaho.gov/donate/donation-payment/

32 Cells: Artistic Reflections on the Old Idaho Penitentiary

Behind Gray Walls

Related tracks