Old Idaho Penitentiary

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Old Idaho Penitentiary The Old Idaho Penitentiary is a division of the Idaho State Historical Society. It opened as a territorial prison in 1872 & closed its doors in 1973.
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It is now open year-round for visitation. Call 208-334-2844 for more details. Note: The Old Idaho Penitentiary will be open on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, for Fright Nights. The site will be closed Thursday, October 29, Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, during regular business hours for event setup. Built in 1870, the Old Idaho Penitentiary is one of only four territorial prisons open to the public today. During its 101 years of operation, the site saw escapes, scandals and the effects of Boise’s transition from the “wild west” to a mid-20th century capital city. Step inside the four walls of the prison yard and imagine a life of confinement as steel doors close behind you. The Idaho State Historical Society operates the Old Idaho Penitentiary and is an extraordinary system of cultural and historic resources comprised of the Idaho State Museum, Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and Historic Sites Program. We seek to inspire, enrich and engage all Idahoans by leading the state in preserving, sharing, and using history and cultural resources relevant to today to inform and influence the future.

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Thank you to CBS 2 Boise for visiting us at the Old Idaho Penitentiary to share a behind the scenes look at our upcoming...
10/19/2026

Thank you to CBS 2 Boise for visiting us at the Old Idaho Penitentiary to share a behind the scenes look at our upcoming Fright Nights events on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31!

Learn more at https://history.idaho.gov/mec-category/locktober-events/ and purchase admission before the scares run out...

CBS2 got a behind the scenes look inside the Old Penitentiary, including a visit to the Haunted Infirmary, where Alexandra Polidori shared some the eerie stories connected to the building.

FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/3VD52YT

Check out the last of this year's locally produced short films from the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase for 202...
10/14/2026

Check out the last of this year's locally produced short films from the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase for 2026, based on true stories from the Idaho State Penitentiary. Thank you again to all of this year's participating filmmakers and their teams!

Title: The Marshal, The Miner, & The Monk (2026)
Production Company: Clean Slate Productions
Director: Hudson Lehew
Producers: Hudson Lehew, Dylan Bowes, Kate Salinas, and Greg Llk

- Trusty Trophy Award winner for second place best film
- Audience Choice Award winner
- Winner for Best Cast Chemistry

Synopsis:
Charles Phelps recounts his tale of Murder and Prison to a Journalist, then promptly kills him for taking defamatory notes. Afterwards, we reveal Charles is speaking with a bartender, informing him of the second half of his tale, which consists of him returning to jail and having a near-death experience. Afterwards, it’s revealed Charles has drugged the bartender. All seems to be going well until a cop and a journalist enter. Charles can’t contain his rage and kills them both. We reveal he’s now a monk, once again recounting the story to yet another journalist.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary and i48: The Idaho 48 Hour Film Festival & Competition host the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase each fall, with local Idaho filmmakers producing short films based on true stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents and staff. Watch for registration to open for 2027 this spring!

THE MARSHAL, THE MINER, & THE MONKDirector: Hudson LehewClean S...

Here is one of this year's brand new, locally produced short films from the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase for...
10/13/2026

Here is one of this year's brand new, locally produced short films from the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase for 2026, based on true stories from the Idaho State Penitentiary.

Title: Death in the Afternoon (2026)
Production Company: Clam City Productions
Director: Larry Dennis
Producer: Larry Dennis

Synopsis:
"Death in the Afternoon" is the murder mystery of who shot Arthur Douglas while he was taking a bath? His ex-wife, Jenny? His current fiancée, Caddie? Or his mistress, Gwen? Certainly it wasn't one of the children.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary and i48: The Idaho 48 Hour Film Festival & Competition host the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase each fall, with local Idaho filmmakers producing short films based on true stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents and staff. Watch for registration to open for 2027 this spring!

Death in the Afternoon (2026)Director: Larry DennisClam City Pr...

Check out another of this year's brand new, locally produced short films from the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showca...
10/12/2026

Check out another of this year's brand new, locally produced short films from the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase for 2026, based on true stories from the Idaho State Penitentiary.

Title: No Mercy, No Justice (2026)
Production Company: Ghost Kids Productions
Director: Daisy Battles
Producer: Jennifer Berenger

- Winner for Best Use of Off-Site Shooting Locations

Synopsis:
The day of his ex*****on, John Jurko is interviewed by Doctor D'Orr Poynter at the South Blackfoot Asylum to evaluate his sanity.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary and i48: The Idaho 48 Hour Film Festival & Competition host the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase each fall, with local Idaho filmmakers producing short films based on true stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents and staff. Watch for registration to open for 2027 this spring!

No Mercy, No Justice (2026)Director: Daisy BattlesGhost Kids Pr...

Here is one of the new films shown during our annual 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase for 2026, featuring projec...
10/12/2026

Here is one of the new films shown during our annual 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase for 2026, featuring projects made by local Idaho filmmakers and based on true stories from the Idaho State Penitentiary.

Title: Norton (2026)
Production Company: Argos Productions (Argos Art Vibe)
Director: Erica Deshner Cornwall
Producers: Doug Cooper, Corey Clyne, Marie Clyne, Mark Chadwick, Cody Lockwood, Robin Meire, and Erica Deshner Cornwall

- Winner for Best Makeup and Wardrobe
- Winner for Most Creative Use of Old Idaho Penitentiary Site

Synopsis:
A young man comes to town with hopes of striking it rich. He becomes friends with an old prospector, hopeful to gain the wealth he needs to win the favor of his father but ambition turns ugly and lands him in the Old Idaho Penitentiary in 1897.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary and i48: The Idaho 48 Hour Film Festival & Competition host the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase each fall, with local Idaho filmmakers producing short films based on true stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents and staff. Watch for registration to open for 2027 this spring!

Norton (2026)Director: Erica Deshner CornwallArgos Productions ...

Check out another one of this year's films presented during our annual 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase, featuri...
10/11/2026

Check out another one of this year's films presented during our annual 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase, featuring projects made by local Idaho filmmakers and based on true stories from the Idaho State Penitentiary.

Title: Honeypot (2026)
Production Company: At-Ease Studios
Director: Ayden Puckett
Producers: Leonardo Forcina, Corbin Scott, and Adriane Carlson

- Winner for Best Supporting Performance (Evan Emro)

Synopsis:
Notorious prison thief Ed Miles finds himself incarcerated once again in the Colorado State Prison. His cellmate Sven, curious, asks Ed about his past and history as a criminal. Unbeknownst to Sven, he would soon uncover his roommate's darker past.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary and i48: The Idaho 48 Hour Film Festival & Competition host the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase each fall, with local Idaho filmmakers producing short films based on true stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents and staff. Watch for registration to open for 2027 this spring!

Honeypot (2026)Director: Ayden PuckettAt-Ease StudiosPart of ...

Volunteers Needed!The Idaho State Historical Society is looking for a few additional volunteers to assist with our Frigh...
10/09/2026

Volunteers Needed!

The Idaho State Historical Society is looking for a few additional volunteers to assist with our Fright Nights event at the Old Idaho Penitentiary on Saturday, October 31!

Each October hundreds of volunteers help darken the Old Idaho Penitentiary for Halloween during Fright Nights, the site's largest fundraiser of the year. We have several spots open in areas such as admissions, information booths, and haunted house entrance and exit attendance.

📅 Saturday, October 31
⏰ 6:00 – 11:00 p.m.
🔞 Must be 18+ to volunteer
All volunteers must attend one orientation:
➡️ Tuesday, October 20 OR Thursday, October 22 (6–8pm)

Dare to join us? Contact Jacey Brain, Old Idaho Penitentiary Visitor Services Coordinator, at [email protected] to sign up or get more information.

10/09/2026

Here is the fourth of this year's brand new local short films presented during our annual 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase, to brighten up your Friday morning!

Title: Levels of Escape (2026)
Production Company: LittleLight Productions and Purraiseful Entertainment
Director: Sarah Danker
Producers: Sarah Danker and Jessica Danker

- Best Use of Music award winner

Synopsis:
In Levels of Escape, Dennis Clark must overcome three levels featuring unique challenges, inspired by his real life escapes and story, to win his freedom.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary and i48: The Idaho 48 Hour Film Festival & Competition host the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase each fall, with local Idaho filmmakers producing short films based on true stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents and staff. Watch for registration to open for 2027 this spring!

Check out another one of this year's films presented during our annual 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase!Title: M...
10/08/2026

Check out another one of this year's films presented during our annual 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase!

Title: Margaret Barney and the Great Escape (2026)
Production Company: Stream Media
Director: Jewelia Dobkins
Producer: Jewelia Dobkins; Creative Producers: Like Larkin and Andrew Greene

- Stool Pigeon Award for Best Use of History winner
- Best Cinematography winner

Synopsis:
After a childhood marked by tragic loss and instability, rebellious teenager Margaret Stratton falls into a turbulent life of crime and dynamic marriages. In 1947, Margaret and her husband, James Barney, begin a reckless burglary spree across Boise, Idaho, stealing cash and Christmas presents before being captured and sentenced to prison. Refusing to stay locked up, Margaret escapes the penitentiary alongside her cellmate in a daring, cheeky prison break. Through hardships, humor, and heart, Margaret journeys toward redemption, freedom, and finding a life worth living.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary and i48: The Idaho 48 Hour Film Festival & Competition host the 13 Stories Film Competition and Showcase each fall, with local Idaho filmmakers producing short films based on true stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents and staff. Watch for registration to open for 2027 this spring!

Margaret Barney and the Great Escape (2026)Director: Jewelia Dobk...

Address

2445 Old Penitentiary Road
Boise, ID
83712

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 5pm
Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+12083342844

Website

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