Very interesting. We loved our tour guide. Very knowledgeable and lots of side stories!
Very interesting spot to tour. Our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history of the penitentiary. The standard tour is handicapped and wheelchair accessible. There are special tours of different parts of the prison, at certain times of the year, that are not fully accessible, but it looks like they are very upfront about that. Be sure to take time to look at the exhibits in the small museum section of the visitor center. I have visited Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA, which is self-guided, and WV Penitentiary, and you get a much better look at and understanding of the prison and prison life at WVP.
It was a blast. The tour guide that I had knew everything about the penitentiary and had interviewed former prison guards and inmates to enhance his knowledge of the penitentiary. Not only did I get to experience getting locked up in a cell, but also experiencing what it was like to live as a convict in a maximum security prison. I would recommend to people who want to know more about the criminal justice system and how the WV state government continued to use the prison even though it was painfully obvious that the plumbing system was failing and that the way how prisoners were locked up violated the “cruel and unusual punishment” amendment. It is an experience that is very unique and you come out learning more about how our judicial system is actually practiced and prisons in general.
Love going on the later tour when you can explore on your own. It's awesome. The staff is really cool.
I took a tour here a few years ago and have been wanting to go back ever since. The tours are very informative and engaging. They treat you so well and the staff really knows their stuff. It's also nice that you can park so close to the front entrance.
West Virginia Penitentiary is a US Travel Agency based in Moundsville, West Virginia. West Virginia Penitentiary is located at 818 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA.
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