PENITENTIARY TOURS RESUME

16/February/2010 04:55 PM

The Missouri State Penitentiary opens its doors to the public the first weekend in March; for tours, of course. In 2004, the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) was decommissioned; in May of 2009, the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau began offering tours of the historic site to the public. In its first year, over 3,000 people caught a glimpse of "life inside the walls."

This year the Bureau is offering an extended line-up of tours in addition to the basic two hour tour that was offered last year. Now, visitors have the opportunity to take a one hour or two hour tour.
The one hour tour is more talking and less walking; it includes a couple of housing units, the dungeon cells and information about some of the MSP's most notable events and inmates. The one hour tour does not include the gas chamber. The two hour tour includes a couple of housing units in addition to those on the one hour tour, the gas chamber and a more extensive view of the MSP grounds.
The tours showcase cells dating back to 1836, when MSP was built, including those of famous inmates such as heavyweight champion Sonny Liston who learned to box during his time in the big house and James Earl Ray.
Public tours start March 6 and are scheduled until the beginning of November. Tickets are $12 per person and must be reserved in advance. Log on towww.MissouriPenTours.com or call the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau at (866) 998-6998 for available tour times or to reserve your tickets.
The Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau will host an open house to kick off the 2010 tour season from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2010 at the Bureau office, 100 E. High Street. Those who attend can enjoy a light "prison lunch," meet the tour guides and get their picture taken behind bars. Souvenirs will be on sale as well.

"The inaugural year of Missouri State Penitentiary tours far exceeded our expectations," said Steve Picker, executive director of the Bureau. "People traveled from across the country to see this piece of history. We have heard nothing but positive comments about the Missouri State Penitentiary tours."