Joliet Prison Blues: A Century of Stories

Named warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary in 1913, Edmund Allen arrived with a glamorous new wife and ambitious plans of reform that did away with years of striped uniforms and humiliating practices. Two years later, his wife was found murdered in her bed, shocking the country and throwing the prison into chaos. Over the past century, life behind bars at Joliet has often been a national spectacle. Infamous inmates like Leopold and Loeb, John Wayne Gacy, Baby Face Nelson and James Earl Ray drew headlines, and iconic scenes in movies like The Blues Brothers ensured that the prison walls themselves were instantly recognizable. From overlooked prisoner profiles to the kind of dramatic incidents that incited riots or inspired Hollywood, Amy Steidinger's stories cover the modern era of Old Joliet Prison.

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Joliet Prison Blues: A Century of Stories

Named warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary in 1913, Edmund Allen arrived with a glamorous new wife and ambitious plans of reform that did away with years of striped uniforms and humiliating practices. Two years later, his wife was found murdered in her bed, shocking the country and throwing the prison into chaos. Over the past century, life behind bars at Joliet has often been a national spectacle. Infamous inmates like Leopold and Loeb, John Wayne Gacy, Baby Face Nelson and James Earl Ray drew headlines, and iconic scenes in movies like The Blues Brothers ensured that the prison walls themselves were instantly recognizable. From overlooked prisoner profiles to the kind of dramatic incidents that incited riots or inspired Hollywood, Amy Steidinger's stories cover the modern era of Old Joliet Prison.

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Joliet Prison Blues: A Century of Stories

Joliet Prison Blues: A Century of Stories

by Amy Kinzer Steidinger
Joliet Prison Blues: A Century of Stories

Joliet Prison Blues: A Century of Stories

by Amy Kinzer Steidinger

Paperback

$21.99 
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Overview

Named warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary in 1913, Edmund Allen arrived with a glamorous new wife and ambitious plans of reform that did away with years of striped uniforms and humiliating practices. Two years later, his wife was found murdered in her bed, shocking the country and throwing the prison into chaos. Over the past century, life behind bars at Joliet has often been a national spectacle. Infamous inmates like Leopold and Loeb, John Wayne Gacy, Baby Face Nelson and James Earl Ray drew headlines, and iconic scenes in movies like The Blues Brothers ensured that the prison walls themselves were instantly recognizable. From overlooked prisoner profiles to the kind of dramatic incidents that incited riots or inspired Hollywood, Amy Steidinger's stories cover the modern era of Old Joliet Prison.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781467147354
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date: 05/17/2021
Series: Landmarks
Pages: 160
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Also the author of Old Joliet Prison: When Convicts Wore Stripes, Amy has spent the last twenty-five years as a teacher and a genealogist. Many of her years teaching were spent working in juvenile justice. She went back to school and earned a master's degree in history from Illinois State University. She loves to travel and is always planning the next adventure. Her greatest joy is her family—her husband, Jay, and their four children, who have grown up to be amazing adults.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Acknowledgements 11

Introduction 13

1 Joliet Prison in the News 1900-19 15

2 Joliet Prison in the News 1920-29 55

3 Joliet Prison in the News 1930-39 85

4 Joliet Prison in the News 1940-69 112

5 Joliet Prison in the News 1970-89 129

6 Joliet Prison in the News 1990-2020 139

Bibliography 149

Index 153

About the Author 157

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