Stay Connected“Behind Gray Walls” is a podcast featuring stories from the men and women who lived and worked at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. Each week, Anthony, Samuel, and Skye explore prisoners whose crimes led them to serve time at the “Old Pen.” Their history is explored in depth and compared to corrections topics faced in communities today.
To support this podcast, visit: https://history.idaho.gov/donate/donation-payment/
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In this episode, Old Pen technical records specialist Ian Pickens shares the story of Frank Lobear #5319 (Manslaughter) who attempted to defend his own honor and after his incarceration became a local legend of the Frank Church Wilderness.
In this LIVE! episode from the Storyfort Stage at the Treefort 2021 music festival, Anthony and Skye regale the audience (both live and digital) with the stories of two musical men who shared their skills while incarcerated at the prison, Lewis Ensley #5720 (Burglary in the 2nd degree) and Garth Reynolds #7428/#8091 (Grand Larceny and Burglary in the 1st Degree) and a prominent Boise woman who embezzled thousands as clerk for the City of Boise #4860 Angela Hopper(Embezzlement). Special thanks to Storyfort for having us at the event, and Saxophone player Mike Ward for performing an improvised rendition of "Ace in the Hole" by Cole Porter.
In this episode, Skye and Anthony tell the stories of a woman whose feminine wiles got her in trouble more than once #5952 Alta Hazeltine (Attempted Robbery) and the devastatingly dastardly duo who embark on committing life insurance fraud #9931 Charles Feely and #9932 Monty Moore (Bombing a Building & Assault with Intent to Commit Murder).
In our first LIVE! episode Skye was able to participate in, Anthony and Skye regale the audience (both live and digital) with the stories of a man whose life and crime has everything—including divorce and donuts #7241/#7690/#8376 Delmar Theodore Swatsenbarg (Forgery/Robbery) and a woman whose alleged blackout proved fatal #12081 Bonnie Jean Deaton (Voluntary Manslaughter).
In this episode, Skye and Anthony chat about a woman who was one of three Native American women who entered the Idaho State Penitentiary for Forgery on the same day #11235 Claire Johnson Lopez and a nineteenth-century Forrest Gump (allegedly!) #958 H. M. St. Cyr (Manslaughter).
In the first episode of the sixth season, Anthony and Skye discuss a man whose experience in Siberia with a spoon is only scratching the surface of his troubled life, #11226/#12337 Dennis Guy Clark (First Degree Burglary/Second Degree Kidnapping) and a woman whose six-week old baby gained her a lot of sympathy and a very short prison sentence #2404 Mamie Ross (Receiving Stolen Goods).
We're working hard to bring you a brand new season! Check out our new logo and pick up some merch at the Old Pen! We have t-shirts and stickers available! We recorded a live episode at the Old Pen on July 16. Our next live recording will be at Treefort on Saturday, September 25 at 4pm! Oral Histories: Josef Munch, 7/15/1987 (Idaho State Archives) Mark Maxwell, 10/2/1981 (Idaho State Archives)
In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony sits down with Bette Joe and Roch, the wife and son of the late Jerry Clapp. Jerry was a boy when his father, Lou Clapp, became Warden of the Idaho State Penitentiary in 1945, a position he would hold for 21 years. Jerry, ever the story teller, documented his experiences as The Warden's Son in a memoir that will be released on May 21st of this year. Oral Histories include: Jerry Clapp, Guard Frank Richardson, Guard Chet Stinnett, Guard C. W. Vanderford, and Inmate Dean Thompson. Pick up a ticket to the release party today: https://store.history.idaho.gov/performance.aspx?pid=8269 Can't come to the event? No problem, order a copy of The Warden's Son here: https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=3394
In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Skye and Anthony discuss the eventful 1887 term of court in territorial Idaho with returning guest John Dinger, Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. The term included everything from citizenship and guardianship to murder.
In the last episode of the season, things get a little dark as Anthony and Skye review the stories of a young man whose desperate attempts for love led to multiple deaths #1511 Fred Seward (Murder in the 1st Degree) and a wife and mother whose interaction with the Idaho Department of Public Assistance ended in absolute tragedy #11732 Lula Ann Shreve (Manslaughter). Adult content/Trigger warning: discussions of suicide, gun violence, child abuse.
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