City:
Yuma

Closest major city:
Yuma

State:
Arizona

Appropriate age group(s):
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Best time to visit:
Open 8 am-5pm daily, except Christmas!

Time needed for trip:
Half day

Description:
Over a 33 year period, more than 3,000 inmates were incarcerated here, having been convicted of crimes ranging from polygamy (more than one wife or husband) to murder.
The prison was made of rock and adobe. The cells, main gate, and guard tower are still standing, to give some idea of what a convict experienced in days gone by.

The museum has pictures and descriptions of many of the inmates, including 29 women, who served time at Yuma. The gift shop (accessible online) offers books rich in the history of the people and places of the region.

Inside the visitor's center, children and adults can try on a lovely replica of a striped prisoner's shirt; be sure to bring your camera ;-)

Other comment or suggestions:
Best Time to Visit is sort of hard to say. If you want to be comfortable, go in winter, spring, or fall...

but if you want to come anywhere close to an authentic feel for the place, visit in Summer, when the temperature's at least a hundred degrees, or edging closer to 110. Look out from a cell at the cool blue of the Colorado River...so close, and yet so far, in a prisoner's view.

Picnic tables and a ramada (covered area) are provided.

Yuma Crossing State Historical Park is quite nearby. A rich variety of people passed through Yuma when it was truly a crossroads to the West.

The US Cavalry once tried to use camels in this desert region. They hired an authentic camel driver to train the men; his real name was (I hope this is right!) Haj Ali, but he was invariably called "Hi Jolly". There is a movie based on the camel experience; a comedy called "Hawmps". Only partially historically accurate, but a romp, nonetheless...

When the prison was no longer a prison, it served other purposes. For a time, it was a school. Consequently, one of the local high schools has as its mascot name the "Yuma Criminal.

Old Chestnut of a Joke: an inmate died at the old Yuma Prison. Expecting to meet St. Peter, he ended up in That Other Place, saying Hello to the red dude with pitchfork and horns. And he promptly asked the Devil for a blanket, because:
being accustomed to Yuma, H-E- double toothpicks was wayyyyy too cold for him....

;-)

Drink lotsa water, and don't fergit yer sunscreen!

Contact information for this day-trip site:
Giss Parkway & Prison Hill Road
(520)783-4771
www.pr.state.az.us