On today’s episode, Skye relates the story of a young woman whose training in beauty school got her a few extra perks #11513 LaLonda Lee King (Robbery) and Anthony tells the story of a young man who had a real knack for escaping until the very end #2062 Ulysses Bearup (Murder in the First Degree).

Oral Histories:
Emile Ehle (McLaws), 1/19/1994 (Idaho State Archives)

EP 85 - King And Bearup

In this week's special episode, Skye comes to the episode empty-handed (school is hard) and Anthony-less (work is hard) and instead comments on Samuel's masterful telling of #111 William "Teton" Jackson (Grand Larceny) whose story intersects with a crucial event in Wyoming history and the controversial Sheriff Frank Canton.

Photo:
Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum Collection: 1958.0003.001P

Ep 87 - "Teton" Jackson And Canton

On today’s episode, Skye tells the story of a young woman whose husband, in the 1950s, was a real door-to-door vacuum salesman(!) #10351 Donna Mae Peterson (Burglary). Meanwhile, first-time host, Charlee, tells the story of one of the most influential doctors in the city of Boise (who also served as prison physician), Dr. George Collister.

EP 88 - Peterson And Dr. Collister

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 episode, Samuel guides Anthony and Skye through the intertwined stories of Willis Brundridge (#716, Grand Larceny) and Ira Harder (#679, Second-Degree Murder) as they explore the events that led to Brundridge being incarcerated alongside the man who killed his son. With invaluable help from Harder's family, this episode will also unravel a 116-year-old mystery that's been waiting to be uncovered.


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: https://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: https://history.idaho.gov/event/squawky-spirits-2024/

Don't miss out!

EP 94 - Harder And Brundridge

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 special spooky-season episode, Anthony and Samuel sit down with Marie, Madison, Sidney, and Tina from Big River Paranormal. They discuss their investigative philosophy, the tools they use, and share some of the chilling experiences they’ve encountered at the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

EVPs captured during investigations are featured throughout the episode. Keep an ear out for a growl and a whisper saying, "You should let me out." For more, visit: www.bigriverparanormal.com.

Have you grabbed your tickets for our Halloween event, Squawky & Spirits, on October 25 and 26th? 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 96 - Big River Paranormal

In our 99th episode (can you believe it?), Skye has an extra short story because Samuel has an extra long story! Starting with the shorter, Skye discusses a young woman whose early hard-knock life made it difficult to adjust to life as an adult #8451 Claire Reasoner (Forgery) and an Old West Yellowstone stagecoach robber whose exploits, he believed, made him the inspiration for the hero of the classic 1902 Western book, The Virginian #814 Edwin Trafton (Grand Larceny).

EP 99 - Reasoner And Trafton

In this episode, Anthony, Samuel, and Skye are joined by the voices of the men and women who lived and worked at the prison to guide visitors through the site. Drawing from oral histories of wardens, chaplains, matrons, guards, and prisoners, this immersive tour brings the past to life as we lead you through the Old Idaho Penitentiary’s four-acre grounds.

EP 100 - An Audio Tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary

In this episode of the Low Meins Asylum Show, I tapped back into the twisted world of Wade Wilson—yeah, Florida’s own psychopathic monster. This time, we listened to another one of his prison calls, and this one’s with an older lady who sounds like she knows way more than she’s letting on. The convo gets strange, emotional, and honestly kinda sad. Is she just a concerned friend... or is there something darker going on?

Tap in as we break down the tone, the tension, and the layers behind this wild phone call. Another piece of the Wade Wilson puzzle is on the table. 

Let’s put it together!

Old Soul, Young Killer!

“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/

The dopest podcast on this side of the milky way!

New tracks tagged #prison stories