With over half of the U.S. federal prison population serving time for drug-related crimes, it’s no surprise that the American prison system feels less like a correctional institution and more like an industry. A 2018 study revealed that half of U.S. adults have had a close family member incarcerated — a statistic that blurs the … Continue reading Life Behind Bars: 7 Strange, Harsh, and Human Stories About Prisons
Kathryn Lawes: The Beloved Mother of Sing Sing Prison
Kathryn Lawes, affectionately referred to as the “Mother of Sing Sing,” resided within the notorious prison’s facility along with her children. As the wife of the warden, she was deeply cherished by the inmates, who reverently addressed her as “Mother.”
Kathryn Stanley Lawes, earned her title of “Mother” due to her compassionate work with inmates at Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New York. She was married to Warden Lewis Lawes, who led the prison from 1920 to 1941 and implemented many progressive reforms. Kathryn’s role was unique for a warden’s wife. She was highly involved with the inmates, to the point of being beloved by them. She arranged for every man in the prison to receive a Christmas present, helped them write letters to their families, and even interceded on their behalf with the warden.
Kathryn was especially considerate of inmates on death row. She helped make their cells more comfortable, spent hours talking to them, and assisted their families. She often housed the families in her own home as the execution date approached, and arranged their final visits. Additionally, she ensured every prisoner received a decent burial if they had no immediate family.
Kathryn was born in Elmira, New York, in 1885. She married Lewis in 1905, and they started their family. Kathryn and Lewis lived within the prison facilities, first at Hart Island reformatory and then at Sing Sing, where she offered many inmates the first maternal attention they had ever experienced.
Kathryn’s death in 1937 at the age of 52 is shrouded in mystery as she fell off the Bear Mountain Bridge. She was conscious when discovered but succumbed to her injuries soon after arriving at Ossining Hospital.
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Pablo Escobar’s Luxurious Private Prison: La Catedral
In 1991, after surrendering to Colombian authorities, drug lord Pablo Escobar was granted permission to construct his own prison, which he named “La Catedral.” This facility was more akin to a luxurious private resort than a correctional institution, featuring amenities such as a football pitch, a giant dollhouse, a bar, a jacuzzi, and a waterfall. […]
Incarcerated prisoners make a contraband…
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The former commissioner of Mississippi’s…
The former commissioner of Mississippi’s prisons is now serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison himself.
In 1911, inmates on death row played…
In 1911, inmates on death row played baseball for their lives. If they won, execution was delayed. If they lost, their execution went ahead as scheduled.
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In Bolivia, when an inmate enters…
In Bolivia, when an inmate enters San Pedro Prison they have to purchase a cell. They can purchase a cell from the prison mayor or freelance agents who typically advertises avaliable cells in restaurants and bulletin boards. Housing in the prison varies between $20 and $5,000 depending on the quality.
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In 2015, Neil Moore, a prisoner serving…
In 2015, Neil Moore, a prisoner serving time for a $2.7 million fraud conviction, walked out the front gate of a high security prison by forging his own release papers.
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In 1938, a man in prison trained…
In 1938, a man in prison trained a cockroach to smuggle him cigarettes. He was later released because the warden said “a man who can train a cockroach doesn’t belong in prison”.
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Companies such as Wholefoods, Starbucks…
Companies such as Wholefoods, Starbucks, Microsoft, IBM make use of prison labor.
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