Santa Fe Jail Inmate Search

Santa Fe jail was a penitentiary in New Mexico that was built for men only. The penitentiary is about fifteen miles south of the heart of Santa Fe. The prison is currently run by New Mexico correction officers. The penitentiary opened in 1885, authorized by the United States Congress two years prior. The prison was originally designed after SingSing Prison in New York. In 1903, the penitentiary employed their prisoners to build a highway, making it the first western prison to do it.

The prison had two riots and one infamous roit during its time being open. The first riot was for overcrowding, poor sleeping conditions. The bed to inmates ratio was also a big problem, on top of the many unclean dormitories. The dormitories were filled with roaches and mice droppings; leading unhygienic surroundings, including the poor quality of the food. These conditions led many of the inmates getting intestinal diseases. On the day of the riot, July 19, 1922, an inmate was shot and killed. The prison guards and staff were to blame for the prisoners being out of control. The second riot happened on June 15, 1953, excessive force and a growing pattern of miscommunication led to the second breakout. The deputy at the time and his twelve guards were held hostage, leaving two inmates dead and several inmates injured.

A new facility was built three years later from the results of the second riot. The new facility was deemed the new main unit and the old facility was left to be demolished. 1980 was the infamous New Mexico Penitentiary Riot, ten years after reform for prisoners happened under President Lydon Johnson. Same trends continued to happen still with the cut-off of the educational classes. The riot was planned on a Saturday night, February 2nd between February 3rd, Sunday. Between those time the prisoners had utter control. Cellblock four the main area the mayhem had taken place of the riot. Many passed away that night, others were tortured during the riot. It took till Sunday mid-noon to break up the riot. Several guards and inmates were let go during the negotiations. Inmates said the riot was plotted by a small group of inmates.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Petintentarairy is now open today as a tour of the old prison. The penitentiary set the standards of modern prison and jail regulations of today. Guests say that the prison is haunted because of the riot that took place in 1980.