Rare photos offer glimpse into notorious abandoned prison

Constructed in the 1950s, this former state prison in Madison, Wisconsin has a troubled history dating back to its inception (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

Rare images have emerged of a notorious state prison which once housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the US.

Constructed in the 1950s, this former state prison in Madison, Wisconsin has a troubled history dating back to its inception, undergoing several changes before morphing into the infamous correctional facility it became known for.

In its early years, the prison primarily served as a medium-security facility, housing inmates convicted of various crimes that included assaults, theft, kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder.

Because the prison’s reputation was brought so low the state invested £787,520 ($1Million) in an attempt to improve the facility, but the prison ended up being unable to keep up with the costly runnings and closed permanently in 2020.

Heavy metal doors were used to house prisoners in Madison, Wisconsin in the 1950s (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

A straight jacket left behind at the prison (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

A view from the prison yard (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

These images were captured by urban explorer Leland Kent, known online as Abandoned Southeast in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Kent’s photos show a plethora of abandoned and highly personal materials which shed light on the horrifying regime once housed inside, including a straight jacket, a prosthetic leg, the weekly food menu at the prison and even the graffiti done by inmates and some choice locker decoration.

‘As the prison population increased, so did the need for expansion and improvement,’ Leland stated on his blog.

‘In the early 2000s, a major renovation project was launched to deter violence, prevent escape attempts, and accommodate more inmates.

Bunk beds used to house prisoners (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

In its early years, the prison primarily served as a medium-security facility, housing inmates convicted of various crimes (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

‘One of the notable features of the prison was its commitment to rehabilitation programs. The facility offered a range of educational and vocational opportunities including GED classes, job training, substance abuse counseling, and mental health services.

‘These programs were aimed to help inmates successfully transition to life outside of prison upon their release.

‘By the late 2000s, the facility had garnered an awful reputation for being a dark den of despair and brutality with inhumane conditions where violence was a daily occurrence.

‘Inmates complained about the meager portions and the subpar food quality. Some were malnourished while others were ill after being refused medical care.

The prison was finally shut down in 2020 (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

The cafeteria (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

‘Despite the grim reality of life inside the correctional facility, there were always those who refused to be broken. They clung to any chance of hope and became resilient, finding solace in small acts of kindness and inmate fellowship in the surrounding darkness.

‘Due to the amount of inmate complaints and reports surfacing about the brutal conditions within the facility, state officials eventually intervened around 2010.

‘The state spent over $1 million on upgrades including state-of-the-art cameras and other security systems, and highly trained staff to ensure safety for all inmates, visitors, and employees.

‘In the years before its closure, the institution added new measures to prevent contraband and violence within the facility.

The showers (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

Someone has left without their prosthetic leg (Picture: mediadrumimages/Leland Kent)

‘Despite this commitment to rehabilitation and safety, the institution faced uphill challenges including overcrowding and budget constraints.

‘Due to these challenges, prison officials implemented strategic solutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the institution, but the changes proved too costly. The prison was permanently closed in 2020.

‘From its humble beginnings as a medium-security facility to its final status as a notoriously violent correctional institution, the facility has undergone significant growth and development over the years.

‘But for most, the prison is a living hell, a place where brutality reigns and humanity is a distant memory. As of 2024, the prison is still abandoned.’

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