WV Penitentiary back blip

The West Virginia State Penitentiary's design is similar to the facility at the 1858 state prison in Joliet, Illinois, with its castellated Gothic, stone structure, complete with turretsand battlements, except it is scaled down to half the size.[2][3] The original architectural designs have been lost.[2] The dimensions of the parallelogram-shaped prison yard are 82½ feet in length, by 352½ feet in width.[2] The stone walls are 5 feet (1.5 m) thick at the base, tapering to 2½ feet at the top, with foundations 5 feet (1.5 m) deep.[2][3]The center tower section is 682 feet (208 m) long.[2] It lies at the western side of the complex along Jefferson Avenue and is considered the front, as this is where the main entrance is located.[2] The walls here are 24 feet (7.3 m) high and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide at the base, tapering to 18 inches (460 mm) towards the top.[2]
A fun fact is the prisoners built additions to the pen and used the rough cut stones until it was discovered they were easier to climb, after that smooth stones were used for expansion. Also some of  Charlie Manson's family members were imprisoned in this pen and he asked to be transferred from CA to here to be closer to them. His request was denied. I have taken the tour several times always learning something new." Old Sparky" the electric chair built by one of the prisoners is still on display. He was sent to another Prison for his protection once the chair was completed. My husband had a police friend who was killed by escapees from this prison many years ago. Worth a visit if you are in the area.