We're back to work bringing you Idaho history and the stories of the men and women who worked and resided at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. Stay tuned!

Season 9 Trailer

In our first episode back of the new season, Anthony introduces us to Warden Raymond May, whose progressive ideas focused on humanity, not crime, while Skye opens the season with a woman who liked to stretch the truth, including when she signed checks, #9533 Dorothy Jean Tate (Forgery).

Tickets are available for October events at the Old Idaho Penitentiary! Purchase them here: https://history.idaho.gov/events/

Have questions or comments? Email us at: behindgraywalls@gmail.com

EP 80 - Tate And May

In this episode recorded live on March 23rd, 2023 on the Storyfort stage during Treefort Music Festival, Anthony covers Tom Rock #3786 and M J Star #3787 (Grand Larceny), the daring duo fresh out of the Ada County jail who stole a car while the owner was enjoying Boise Music Week, while Samuel uncovers the tragic tale of musician Len Douglas #903 (Manslaughter), who killed a man in a jealous rage over a woman.

EP 81 - LIVE! Rock And Star And Douglas

This week, Samuel steps into Anthony’s spot and covers one of our earliest residents, a stagecoach driver from Deadwood, South Dakota, whose gun duel carried some big consequences #16 Samuel Ridgeway (Murder) and Skye examines a woman who was previously unknown in our records who got involved with the wrong guy  #8323 Eddie Mae Gooch (Robbery).

EP 82 - Gooch And Ridgeway

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

In this live episode, recorded on March 21, 2024, at the Podfort stage during the Treefort Music Festival, Samuel discusses moonshiner Frank Rosso #3003 (Manufacture of Intoxicating Liquor), Skye shares poetry and art published in the prison magazine by the women of the Women's Ward, and Anthony talks about an unnamed rock star who failed as a marijuana dealer but found success as a musician.

Oral History:
Guard Donald Dye, 5/21/1992 (Idaho State Archives)

Like the pod? Grab your own Behind Gray Walls t-shirts here:
https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShop.aspx?C=11&S=59

EP 92 - LIVE! Rosso, Women's Ward Prose, And A Rock And Roll Redemption

In this episode, Skye covers Mrs. H. E. Brooks #4238 (Involuntary Manslaughter) who found support behind the walls of the Idaho State Penitentiary despite her record behind the wheel, and Anthony covers John Sayer #1912 (Abortion) who nearly avoided serving his sentence simply by failing to report to the prison.

Have you grabbed your tickets for our Halloween events at the Old Pen?

October 12 – Behind the Scenes Tours
Discover hidden stories and access secret areas!
Get your tickets here: history.idaho.gov/event/bts24/

October 25-26 – Squawky & Spirits
Enjoy a night of spooky fun with two Haunted Houses, presentations by our very own Samuel, and SO MUCH MORE!
Get your tickets here: history.idaho.gov/event/squawky-spirits-2024/

Don't miss out!

EP 93 - Brooks And Sayer

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

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Samuel and Skye interview author Jan Cerney about her 2016 book Calamity Jane and Her Siblings: The Saga of Lena and Elijah Canary, in which she uncovers the tumultuous Canary family relationships often overlooked in the Calamity canon.

Pick up a copy in the Souvenir Confinement store at the Old Pen, or order online: https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=103

Stool Pigeon Saturday - Jan Cerney on Calamity Jane and Her Siblings

On this episode, Samuel regales Anthony and Skye with the life story of a sheriff in Owyhee County whose refusal to use a gun in the old west town of Silver City ended with a stint in the prison - as the warden, that is.

EP 97  - John Springer

“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/

New tracks tagged #Behind Gray Walls