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Folsom Prison Museum display
‘Folsom Prison’ an insider’s look at the second oldest prison in the U.S.
As one drives along Natoma Street, east of the Folsom Civic Center, there is a beautiful view of rolling hills. Large groves of native oak trees punctuate the landscape, along with Black Angus cattle, deer, turkeys and other wild critters.
Except for a few signs indicating the presence of a correctional facility, one would never suspect that those picturesque hills shelter the second oldest prison in the U.S. from the city population. With the exception of those who work at the prison, few civilians have seen the small city that exists behind the gothic grey walls of Folsom Prison. Until now.
“Folsom Prison” is the latest release in Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series. The 127 page, soft-bound book contains 222 photos with detailed commentary about each image. Author Jim Brown is a former correctional officer at the prison and the operations manager of the Retired Correctional Peace Officers Museum at Folsom Prison.
“In 2001, Warden Diana K. Butler asked me to put together the history of Folsom State Prison from its conception up until the year 2005,” Brown said. “July 26, 2005 was to mark the prison’s 125th anniversary. But we did not have a celebration and I never finished the book. I had most of the material handy from that previous research and was able to compile it into ‘Folsom Prison.’ John Poultney of Arcadia Publishing approached me last year about doing a photographic history book on Folsom Prison. The book was released on Sept. 29.”
The book is arranged into three sections: “Breakin’ Rocks in the Hot Sun,” “Life in Prison” and “Modern Times.” It walks the reader through time from the prison’s earliest beginnings to the present day.
Brown draws on his experience and knowledge to tell the stories of the prison’s construction, early years, officers, inmates, events such as the famous Johnny Cash concert of 1968 (although one learns that his first concert at Folsom Prison was in 1966 and that Cash was never an inmate of the prison) and distinctive stories of the prison’s unique character. Brown spent hours going through old ledgers and records kept at the prison museum and the California State Library and Archives. He also interviewed retired staff and former prisoners.
Karen Mehring, director of the Folsom History Museum, is delighted to have this new resource in the museum’s gift shop and is supportive of the Folsom Prison Museum, which is located at the entrance to the correctional facility.
“People have been fascinated by prisons and in particular Folsom Prison. This book tells a story that is significant to our history and offers members of the public a pictorial history they can take with them,” she said. “The Folsom Prison Museum draws a lot of people who are fascinated by stories about the early crime and punishment system, the prison’s architecture, Johnny Cash’s visit. You name it, people are interested. When I travel to museum conferences and state that I am from Folsom, most people ask me about the prison, thanks to ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ by Cash.”
Other highlights of the book include information about prison and street gang vernacular (with definitions), prison codes (used in transmitting messages to and from the outside), weapons manufactured by prisoners, escape attempts and more.
“I hope this book will show the good and bad that make up the prison’s history,” Brown said. “This book is also a tribute to the men and women who proudly serve and protect the great state of California. It will share the good times, the bad times and our sad times which have pulled us together and made us a stronger family here at Folsom Prison.“I hope people from outside the prison will gain a better understanding of what it is like on the inside for the prisoners and for staff,” he continued. “It is dangerous, but through the years I learned to take the good with the bad and deal with the ugly. I hope this book will be a valued asset and treasured keepsake for many years to come.”
“Folsom Prison” by Jim Brown is available for $19.99 at the Folsom History Museum, the Retired Correctional Peace Officers Museum at Folsom Prison and online at www.arcadiapublishing.com.
By Susan Laird