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Opened in 1858 and shuttered in 2002, the Illinois State Penitentiary, now known as the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site was reopened to the public in 2018, managed by the Joliet Area Historical Museum. …
Opened in 1858 and shuttered in 2002, the Illinois State Penitentiary, now known as the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site was reopened to the public in 2018, managed by the Joliet Area Historical Museum. The Prison is probably best known today for its most popular, albeit fictional inmate – “Joliet Jake” Blues from the 1980 film “The Blues Brothers.” Since then, the Prison has made a number of appearances in films in television, including the fictional “Fox River State Penitentiary” in the critically acclaimed Fox series “Prison Break,” and in smaller scenes in, Let’s Go to Prison, Derailed and recently, Empire.
Reviews
Tripadvisor
4.0/5 · 136 reviews
5-star
59%
4-star
24%
3-star
10%
2-star
0%
1-star
7%
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Oct 6, 2024
I absolutely loved this place it's got so much history. The prison grounds are vast. The inside is amazing, the air is thick and heavy when you enter you can really feel its past. Our guide was supe… Full review by Marmalade2004
Aug 30, 2024
This was the biggest waste of time and money. There is nothing to see except derelict buildings the buildings were dark just terrible Full review by Ambassador563264
Jul 16, 2024
Used to be cool. Now an awful experience. The guard tour was so interesting and fun. Now they just have some lame self guided tour. The new staff are rude and awful. Management is there is a joke. Th… Full review by Brendan P