Oregon State Penitentiary

· Arcadia Publishing
4.0
1 review
eBook
128
Pages
Eligible
Ratings and reviews aren’t verified  Learn more

About this eBook

As the only maximum-security prison in the state, the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) has housed some of the most violent criminals on the West Coast, including brutal serial killers Charley Panzram in 1915 and Jerry Brudos in 1969. Sixty men have been executed inside OSP. The prison was originally built in Portland in 1851 but moved to Salem 15 years later, after Oregon became a state. From that time forward, the Oregon State Penitentiary grew from 23 prisoners in 1866 to 1,912 by 1992. The penitentiary suffered several serious fires and riots. On March 9, 1968, the most expensive riot ever experienced in the United States flared inside the walls, causing over $2.5 million in damages. Numerous escapes plagued the prison until 1970, when security measures were tightened. The most famous escape involved Harry Tracy and David Merrill in 1902.

Ratings and reviews

4.0
1 review

About the author

Diane L. Goeres-Gardner is a retired educator turned historian. This is her third Arcadia book and sixth published book about Oregon history. John Ritter worked in the Oregon State Penitentiary for 30 years, retiring in 2005. He is an adjunct professor of history at both Linfield College and Corban University. Both authors have used their extensive skills and experience to bring the reader many interesting details from inside the walls of OSP.

Rate this eBook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Centre instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.