Clinton Correctional Facility, Maximum security state prison in Dannemora, New York, United States.
Clinton Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison in Dannemora, New York, housing over 2,800 male inmates. The complex spreads across multiple buildings, enclosed by 60-foot walls made of gray stone.
The facility opened in 1845, when inmates worked in mining operations at Dannemora and Lyon Mountain. This practice ended in 1877, and the prison evolved into a purely custodial institution.
The Church of St. Dismas stands within the prison walls, built by inmates between 1939 and 1941. The building shows how religious practice and craft work come together in daily institutional life.
The facility allows visits daily between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM, with arrivals required by 2:00 PM. Security checks take some time, so arriving early is recommended.
In June 2015, Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped through underground tunnels from the facility. The breakout triggered a three-week manhunt in the forests of northern New York, until both men were captured.
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