About the Missouri State Penitentiary
The Missouri State Penitentiary received its first prisoner in 1836, 25 years before the Civil War. For the first 100 years of its history, the institution served as Missouri's only prison, housing both male and female prisoners.
In 1932, MSP became the largest prison in the United States with 5,200 inmates. Infamous inmates incarcerated during its history include Pretty Boy Floyd, James Earl Ray, Sonny Liston and Emma Goldman. In May 2000, the prison housed approximately 2,000 prisoners and had a staff of 780.
When MSP closed on Sept. 15, 2004, it had been open for 168 years, making it the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River.
MSP reopened as a tourism destination in 2009. Visit the official site for Missouri State Penitentiary Tours and Museum at www.missouripentours.com
In 1932, MSP became the largest prison in the United States with 5,200 inmates. Infamous inmates incarcerated during its history include Pretty Boy Floyd, James Earl Ray, Sonny Liston and Emma Goldman. In May 2000, the prison housed approximately 2,000 prisoners and had a staff of 780.
When MSP closed on Sept. 15, 2004, it had been open for 168 years, making it the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River.
MSP reopened as a tourism destination in 2009. Visit the official site for Missouri State Penitentiary Tours and Museum at www.missouripentours.com