Step Inside Wyoming’s Old Prison Gas Chamber

The Wyoming State Penitentiary has housed many inmates over the years and has a world-famous gas chamber.

Wyoming’s Frontier Prison, often referred to as the “Old Pen,” housed eleven women from when it opened in 1901 until 1909, at which point it became a facility primarily for men.

Some inmates made big news back in the day, like Annie Bruce, who killed her father with a poisoned plum pie.

William Carlisle was a serial train robber. He was also known as the “Gentleman Bandit” because he never shot anyone and only robbed men, apologizing to women and children for disturbing them. Carlisle escaped from the prison in 1919, only to be caught a month later.

The prison contains three cell-blocks and, when it opened, was equipped with 104 cells but had no running water or electricity.

Imagine staying in there when the weather was too hot or cold.

This is where a Wyoming inmate was lynched in this area in 1912.

Later, the prison ditched the gallows for a state-of-the-art gas chamber,  which was installed in 1936. These facilities were contained in what was called the Death House.

Five inmates were executed in the gas chamber, and nine others were hanged.

There was a lot of death in that old building.

A total of 200 died within the prison walls due to execution, suicide, inmate violence, and natural causes.

The old place is closed now, but you can visit.

Between 15,000 and 17,000 people visit the prison each year.

They offer guided prison tours, and there is also a walking path that will take you up to the old prison cemetery.

Also on site is the Wyoming Peace Officers' Museum & the Old Pen Gift Shop.

The price of admission is just $10 for adults with discounts for children & seniors.

They also offer group tours for groups of 10 or more - reservations are required for large group tours.

A local favorite is the haunted Halloween night tours.

Call the Old Pen at 307-324-4422 for the tour schedule or visit them online at: