Yuma Territorial Prison turns 150 years old

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Yuma Territorial Prison (YTP) is celebrating its 150 anniversary this month.

YTP says when people read or hear stories about the prison, it usually follows with a tale of horror and insufferable heat.

While they say some of it is true, there's still more to the story.

"This was a progressive-minded penitentiary believing in the power of education to change lives," said Yanna Kruse, Manager of YTP.

In 1876, ground was broken, and the first seven inmates were asked to help construct the cells they would later be locked inside.

During its time of operation, more than 3,000 inmates passed through the facility.

"They would be locked in here at night. During the day everyone had to have a job. So, yeah...this cell wasn't for comfort, but there's several feet of granite here," said Mike Erfert, a volunteer. "I think there's probably good insulation with that."

The prison was operation for 33 years.

"Prisoners came in all shapes and sizes. Men, women, teenagers. This row of cells was for the most hardened criminals. The murders for the most part. The lighter sentences were to the other side," Kruse shared. "The crimes committed were everything you could imagine. Of course, cold blooded murder, arson, polygamy…burglary."

During that time, Kruse says prisoners got the chance to get an education while they were locked up.

"Inmates were given the opportunity to go to school basically while they were here…learn trades," Kruse explained. "The idea, back at that time in history, was while they're incarcerated, let's invest in them. Let's actually treat them well."

After its closure, the space was used for other purposes, including where the Yuma High School "Criminals" were born.

The prison has had visitors from all over the country, including Jasmine Rollins. Through one of YTP's exhibits, she learned about her roots in Yuma she didn't know she had.

"I was able to see that I was related to one of the sheriffs that was involved in the prison, a doctor," Rollins expressed. "Unfortunately, some of my relatives were prisoners here."

While the prison is celebrating a huge milestone of 150 years, YTP is also using this as a call to action to help preserve the national treasure for generations to come.

For more information on how to donate to the cause, click here.