Historic Folsom Prison

 The history of Folsom Prison



If you are a fan of Johnny Cash, you probably know his famous song "Folsom Prison Blues" and his live album "At Folsom Prison". But do you know the history behind the walls of Folsom State Prison, one of California's oldest and most notorious prisons?


Folsom Prison is located in Folsom, California, about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. It was built in 1878 as a branch prison for San Quentin, which was overcrowded and unable to handle the influx of criminals during the Gold Rush era. Folsom was designed to be a maximum-security prison, with thick granite walls, iron doors, and no plumbing or heating. The cells were 8 by 7 feet, with only six holes at the bottom for ventilation and an 8 by 2 inch slot for viewing.


Folsom was also the first prison in the country to have electric lights, installed in 1893. The prison also had its own hydroelectric plant, which powered not only the prison but also the nearby town of Folsom. The prison also had a quarry, where inmates worked to cut granite for various construction projects, including the prison walls.


Folsom Prison housed some of the most dangerous and notorious criminals in California history, including train robbers, murderers, rapists, and gangsters. Some of them tried to escape, but most of them failed or were killed in the process. The prison also witnessed 93 executions by hanging between 1895 and 1937, before the death penalty was moved to San Quentin's gas chamber.


Folsom Prison became famous in 1968, when Johnny Cash performed two concerts for the inmates and staff. Cash had recorded "Folsom Prison Blues" in 1955, inspired by a movie he had seen about the prison. He wanted to perform for the prisoners as a way of showing empathy and compassion for their plight. His concerts were recorded and released as a live album, which became a huge success and boosted Cash's career.


Today, Folsom Prison is still operational, but it has undergone many changes and reforms over the years. It now houses mainly medium-security inmates, and offers various educational and vocational programs to help them rehabilitate and reintegrate into society. It also has a museum, where visitors can learn more about the history and culture of the prison.


Folsom Prison is more than just a song or a place. It is a symbol of the American justice system, with its flaws and achievements, its challenges and opportunities, its tragedies and triumphs. It is a part of California's history that deserves to be remembered and explored.

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