Penitentiary of New Mexico, Maximum security prison in Santa Fe County, United States
The Penitentiary of New Mexico spans multiple security levels across buildings situated 15 miles south of central Santa Fe on State Road 14.
The facility opened in 1885 after Congressional authorization in 1853, following architectural designs used for Sing Sing and Joliet correctional institutions.
New Mexico became the first western state to employ inmates in highway construction projects starting in 1903, establishing a new model for prison labor programs.
The prison maintains specific security protocols with designated visiting hours, mail procedures, and communication channels through the New Mexico Corrections Department.
The 1980 riot at this facility remains recorded as the most severe prison uprising in United States history, resulting in 33 inmate fatalities.
Location: Santa Fe County
Inception: 1885
Official opening: 1885
Operator: New Mexico Corrections Department
Address: State Highway 14
Phone: +15058278201
Website: https://cd.nm.gov/apd/pnm.html
GPS coordinates: 35.56190,-106.06000
Latest update: November 22, 2025 11:14
This collection brings together penal institutions that have marked the history of incarceration worldwide through their architecture, detention conditions, or roles in major historical events. From the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba, established in 2002 for holding individuals suspected of terrorism, to high-security facilities like Red Onion in Wise County, Virginia, these sites document the evolution of penal systems across continents. Among the institutions transformed into memorial sites, Diyarbakır Prison in Turkey stands out for its conversion into a cultural center and museum since 2019. Its 24 dormitories spread over two floors, its cells, and corridors allow visitors to explore this chapter of Turkish penal history. In Argentina, Mendoza Prison, built in the early 20th century, reflects the prison practices of that era and the development of the regional judicial system. Other facilities remain operational and raise questions about prisoners' rights and incarceration conditions. Gldani Prison in Tbilisi caused national protests in 2012 after images exposing systemic abuses were released, leading to major reforms in the Georgian penal system. Ciudad Barrios Prison in El Salvador continues to function as a correctional center in the eastern region of the country. These sites, spread across multiple continents, provide documented insights into penal practices in various political and social contexts. From Rwanda to North Korea, passing through Colombia and the United States, they help understand the evolution of judicial and correctional systems while raising current issues related to detention and rehabilitation.
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