Sing Sing Prison Photo Gallery by Karl R. Josker at pbase.com

Sing Sing Prison

These pictures of Sing Sing Prison were taken in the summer of 1971, in Ossining, New York. It is located on the Hudson River, north of New York City. This is the prison that added phrases like "Up the river" and "The Big House" to our lexicon.

Keep in mind that these photos were taken over thirty years ago, some of these buildings may have been modified or demolished completely.

Finally, these photos were originally slides, and they have deteriorated, the color dyes fading over time.

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Administration Building	Looking Up The Hill	Looking Down The Hill	Main Recreation Yard
Old Cell Block and Auxillary Buildings	Building 5	Old Cell Block and Guard Tower	Old Cell Block
Old Cell Block	Interior Of Old Cell Block	A Cell In The Old Cell Block	Interior Roadway

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Cossie		13-Jun-2009 03:39
My Uncle died (in his cell, not via execution) in Sing Sing, sometime in 1961 ...his name was Vito Esposito...any info?

Tammy		06-May-2009 22:02
My Great Grand father Leonardo Lomoaco was sing sing prison and I was trying to find out when and what for can anybody tell how to get the information for this.

Guest		01-Apr-2009 04:06
I'm looking for any records or information on Max Egelhaaf. All I know is he died in Sing Sing in 1902. I don't know what he was in for.

Jeffrey		30-Mar-2009 06:36
my great uncle was a death house guard at sing sing from 1956-1964 and i have pictures of him while he was on duty if anyones interested, just write me at jeffzkrazie@gmail.com

RR		20-Mar-2009 13:58
I am looking for information about a prisoner named Louis Boy who was in Sing Sing from 1932 - 1949. He participated in medical experiments while there. One was for a flu vaccine. One was for atabrine (an anti-malaria drug) and one was a blood exchange. He was freed by Gov. Dewey for his service. If you know anything about this prisoner or the experiments, please let me know.

Marilyn		03-Feb-2009 19:49
My uncle was in sing sing for forgery. His name is sam rubin and I want to know when he was there. I can't seem to find out since all the relatives are dead. Does anyone know him or heard of him. I think that he was there is the 60's or 70's. thanks

Rey		13-Jan-2009 21:34
Great Shots, I am currently an Officer at Sing Sing, but would have loved to work back then in the 30's & 40's it seems very interesting then. But I believe women were not allowed to be Officers.

Rey		13-Jan-2009 21:30
Great Shots, I am currently an Officer in Sing Sing and would have loved to worked back then in the older times, but women were not allowed to be Officers only Matrons I believe. Great Great Pictures.

kristine gallagher		07-Dec-2008 05:19
Please help my father worked at sing sing in the 60's, his name is Tom Gallagher. if anyone has any information please contact me THANKS

Michelle		26-Nov-2008 02:24
This is what I came across concerning Jesse Walker. He was executed on February 10,1921 for robbery-murder in the state of NY.He was a white male, age 20 yrs old.They left an "e" out of his name. It shows Jess Walker instead.I found this information from the Death Penalty Information Center website, or DPIC. It is viewed State by State. Please scroll down until you see NY executions in the 1920's list. http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/ESPYstate.pdf

Guest		25-Nov-2008 18:59
that is him, I also have an article where at his sentencing he told the judge he was not there for a lecture but to be sentenced and to get on with it. LOL. I am trying to find any prison records on him or maybe a mug shot

Michelle		24-Nov-2008 02:26
Wow Tony, Is he's one of the twelve men mentioned in NY Times? Special to The New York Times.December 26, 1920, Sunday Page 9, 361 words OSSINING, Dec. 25.--A dozen condemned, men, including Jesse Walker of Brooklyn, who is the first scheduled to face the electric chair, as a special holiday privilege today saw the first moving pictures, ever exhibited in Sing Sing's deathhouse. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50E14FC3F5810738DDDAF0A94DA415B808EF1D3

tony austin		22-Nov-2008 13:19
thanks for the pictures. I had a relative (Jesse Walker) who was executed at Sing Sing.

Allen A Snyder		15-Nov-2008 19:57
I worked there as a correction officer back in 1984 for 8 mos until i got back to attica correctional. The facility is very old with some new buildings. The prison has a nice view of the hudson river.

ladiee Harlem		19-Oct-2008 23:31
it's crazy my boyfriend is on this way there tommorrow for 16 months, i don't think that it look like that now right?

briar		27-Sep-2008 12:15
we found a pair of iron handcuffs with a brass label it has words engraved saying "Sing Sing Prison New York.Wanna know if anyone has a picture of handcuffs used there.

Guest		20-Sep-2008 21:17
Samuel M Seager, guard on Death Row, Sing Sing, pre 1930. Was one of Eliot Ness' "Untouchables", 1929-1932. I am researching Mr Seager, (and his fellow "Untouchables),purely as a personal project. Don't know whether he returned to prison work, post 1932. Can anybody help/point me in the right direction? Fascinating site! Many thanks, from Merseyside, England! email: dpq@blueyonder.co.uk

laura		08-Aug-2008 23:07
Hi For those of you looking for former inmates, The NYS department of correctional service (DOCS) website has information on inmates dating back to 1970.(go to inmate lookup) Hope this is of use to some.

Pat		08-Aug-2008 02:19
I have reason to believe my grandfather, Andrew Froitzheim, was a prison guard at Sing Sing in 1910. He later moved to Auburn, New York, where he also served as a guard in Auburn State Prison. Is there any record about this, or can you tell me where I might find the information?

donna		07-Jun-2008 05:15
my father worked at sing sing, these photos have brought back alot for me from my childhood like going to pick dad up from work with mom. thank you.

Lorraine		19-Feb-2008 20:16
My great uncle was also an inmate at Sing Sing from 1922 to 1931. there is a website that has a database listing inmates from early 1900's. Try www.stevemorse.com. Although he is not listed in this database, I will be contacting the prison directly. Good luck

peter		08-Jan-2008 15:16
My Grandfather was a prisoner at sing sing in 1930. I only learned of this recently, unfortunately no one in the family remembers why. Does anyone know how I could research this information?

Michael E. Holtby, LCSW		20-Nov-2007 05:18
There is a very good book on being a CO at Sing Sing called Newjack by Ted Conover (2001). He's a writer for the New York Times who worked as a corrections officer for a year and documented Sing Sing's history, as well as his own experiences from an on-the-front-lines point of view.

Scott		31-Oct-2007 06:03
I'm trying to figure out how you got permission to take all these Great Shots from all these Prisons!

Pedro		29-Jul-2007 17:58
my father was an inmate at sing sing and got deported in 1995, i was young at the time and thought that it was kool that my father was in jail. but i loved that prision especially the gameroom in the visitor section. i hope to see more pictures soon.

YG		27-Jul-2007 18:33
I am looking for a current inmate. Where do I do a search of inmates??

Dina		17-Jun-2007 07:40
RALPH FRECCIA was my grandfather. He was a prisoner from 1940-1962...anyone know him?

Bill		13-Jun-2007 22:16
Great pictures, I'd love to see more. I was a C.O. for a short time at Sing Sing, and looking at these photos takes me right back there. For good or bad It's an amazing place.

Danielle Harris		07-May-2007 02:20
Well I've lived in Ossining Ny for 14 years..and I remember me and my friends walking past it everyday. It gave me a chill just to know I lived right across the street, at night we could hear some of the guys yelling or playing ball. But when I moved away people talk about SING SING like it's the most amazing thing. They always wonder what it's like to live in that town...I don't want to go back!

Vandal		26-Mar-2007 13:31
i was a prisoner at the sing sing prison. i spent 12 years in my sell . but i was not guilti. i did not murder him.

Gardett		17-Mar-2007 02:23
Attempting to locate a family member who was a prison guard there. His name is William James Washington nick named "Snookie Baby". My research shows his birth date of October 27 1943. He retired from the prison system and is collecting a pension. I have forwared a letter to his pension office, from me personally and through an attorney's office (for legitamacy only) but they did want to "get involved". I have data all the way to his supposed social security number but still no luck. I am only trying to gather medical history and off spring for geneology records.

Guest		05-Mar-2007 18:14
I heard that all the babies born at Sing Sing died. I know this from research for my dissertation but cannot find anymore information than that, I wonder if anyone can help, there is nothing about the incident on the internet and only a tiny bit in one book. I would appreciate any help

Guest		02-Mar-2007 08:08
Karl- Great site! I was a CO at Sing Sing from 95-96 then I transferred to Shawangunk, but working there is still very vivid in my mind and people are amazed when I tell them that I worked at the infamous "up the river joint"-

Robin Protsko		27-Feb-2007 15:43
I am looking for info on my uncle who was incarcerated here. I don't know when he went in or the exact date of when he was released. I think it was about 1960 or 1961 when he was released. His name was Raymond L Koontz. He has since died. I would really like some info an anything about him being there. It would be very much appreciated as this has been very secretive in my family.

Michelle		24-Feb-2007 05:55
I wished they had left the death house alone, and not turn it into a vocational building, because I would have love visiting and experiencing the horror of being locked up in the pre-execution chamber called, "The Dance Hall," hours before my execution.The county could had generated alot of money.I believe many people are fasinated with prisons, and the eerie feeling associated with it.To imagine themselves as inmates of the pass.

Bonniethe rootrooter		11-Jan-2007 12:33
I'm looking for information on an ancestor who was an inate at Sing Sing in 1930. His name was Michele Iadanza. any ideas on who to write to or call. Of course photo's would be nice. but I doubt I will find any. Bonnie

moe		24-Nov-2006 23:23
nice photos. tSing-Sing is eerily beautiful. This is not just art, its history, and part of my reality. I am a former resident of this place (1980's) B-BLOCK & 7 BUILDING. Ironically, my wife is now an employee there. I am currently a program executive and doctoral student. (Yes I turned my life around). Its funny how this place still is a part of my life. When I see your photos I am taken back to a period in my life that I am still trying to escape from. this was very therepeutic for me. eventhough my wife works there I still have not been able to go see it from this side. That will be overwhelming, I'm sure. Thank You

ssosso		21-Oct-2006 15:46
Beautiful site!

gili		20-Sep-2006 11:50
wow

sesso		17-Sep-2006 09:17
Good Site .Nice work.

tiff		29-Aug-2006 06:44
you should all read the book..New Jack, Guarding Sing Sing.

Guy		26-Jul-2006 02:07
Hi Karl, I wrote a book about the history of Sing Sing that features 200 vintage photos. Your pictures are fantastic! I havn't seen pictures of the "Death House" circa 1970s. I have never seen a picture of the death house kitchen. Your photos give one a feel for what Sing Sing was like many years ago.

Justin		16-Jul-2006 17:54
I too was watching a television show about sing sing while looking at the photos on this site and found it very very insigtful. People interested in learning about prisons should read a book called NEWJACK, its about a journalist who becomes a C.O. at Sing Sing in the 90s.

j.small		16-May-2006 13:12
hi there,i just watched a programme on sing sing and found your pictures and info very interesting.many thanks from dundee,scotland

claire		27-Apr-2006 04:18
Thanks for posting photos of Sing Sing. Now I have an image associated with the stories. i'm both horrified and fascinated. just like with insane asylums and old hospitals. I'm morbid I know.

John M Anderson		02-Apr-2006 19:30
Hi,I am a Prison Officer in Scotland,31yrs. service,and as such I am interested in Prisons worldwide,these are very interesting pictures of one of the States major Prisons,great stuff,J.M.Anderson.

ants from the U.K		31-Mar-2006 08:55
Wow this was a scary prison, not quite as all the movies made out, a very dark and depressing place for inmates. Great photos and wording too. Very chilling...

Guest		28-Mar-2006 16:46
My Father was Ret. Lieutenant James Holman. He died of cancer last year. Did u Know him and/or do you have any pictures? Kyle Holman nykholman@msn.com

Jim		30-Jan-2006 23:24
Karl, Any luck finding the picture you took of my father (Irv) years ago? Still hoping you find it. Jim

Barbie		07-Jan-2006 05:26
I was a guard at Sing Sing for four years, Ive been gone now for about two years. Today was the first time I saw your site with the pictures and although it looks alot different today, I was reminded how much I actually miss that crazy place and the awsome officers I worked with. Thanks for the memorise guys and gals and thank you for the site and the pictures look back on.

Reggie		04-Jan-2006 00:48
My Grandfather was an inmate here for 8 years. He never wanted his grandchildren to know, so we only found out after his death. Thank you for posting these pictures, I am very interested in anything I can learn about Sing Sing and my Grandfather. Does anyone know how I can find out about past inmates?

Stew		08-Dec-2005 19:01
This is a really great website. The pictures were very helpful because i am doing a project on penitentiaries in the 19th century for my history class. I also was born near ossining new york and this is very interesting information.

Ashley Hockenberry		18-Nov-2005 19:39
I can still hear the echoes of prisoners and guards in these photos.

ghughes		23-Oct-2005 22:22
I have been trying to get names of prisoners that spent time at sing sing, but no luck-any suggestions?

ghughes		23-Oct-2005 22:21
I have been trying to get names of prisoners that spent time at sing sing, but no luck-any suggestions?

wendy		13-Sep-2005 23:54
Does anyone know about the Mutual Welfare League or the Rena Club? My great uncle was presented with a (hand scrolled?)document thanking him for all of his efforts by the Mutual Welfare League. the document says that my great uncle was the president of the Rena Club. It is dated April 23,1926 and signed by the following: Theo Deacore, Director of entertainment (that name was hard to make out), Timothy O'hara, Sargeant at Arms and Frank Liuton, Secretary. I don't know what my great uncle did for the inmates but i do know he was very wealthy and gave a lot of money away. Anything you could add would be fun to know. thanks

Jack		05-Jul-2005 22:02
I reamember watching the Three Stoges and they would always talk about going to the big house sing sing.

Jake		08-Mar-2005 22:06
Very cool shots, Im currently a student at ossining high school, and i think its really cool that our town has such rich heritage, I'm gald to see photos of this historic site online. Keep up the good work!

John		02-Mar-2005 17:36
what a wonderful service you have provided for the masses! My great grandfather was a prison inmate at this very prison! Fantastic photography. Thank you very much

where is justice		12-Dec-2004 23:55
Thanks for these! feels like a 'free' tour of Sing Sing, the infamous - not an easy thing to do in reality; and what it made 90% of tour-quality was your notes at the bottom to explain the photos, without which a tourist would not get even 5% of the emotion behind the subject. Your 'death cell' details, 'last meal' notes etc. gives me near heaving chills to imagine the Sartre-esque agony - real - of justice coming to sit softly in the laps of those its due to. *Attempting to eat a last steak. shackled to a padded-cell's urine and fecies drain, as wildeyedly the to-die prisoner may lunge the bars, at passing employees etc. Very well-done, sir. Poe-esque drama made lucid for us. Jeff. Triple AA+ subject-choice ... and the camera-work's pretty good too (wink).

ben		27-Nov-2004 23:55
thanks for posting your pictures. i'm reading Newjack by Conover and its about a newbie prison guard in sing sing. i was having a lot of trouble visualizing the prison before seeing your site. ben

gina cochran		16-Nov-2004 01:30
i am looking for any info about w. denault, a former warden of sing sing. he was a relative and i am doing a family tree. my grandfather was his brother

Cynthia		02-Oct-2004 01:57
Enjoyed looking at the photos. Very interesting.... thanks for sharing!

Jeff		30-Mar-2004 17:05
Hi Karl, I am A retired LT. watch Commander from Sing Sing Prison and enjoyed your photo array!!! I am also a large collector of Sing Sing memobilia. Thank you for sharing your display. p.s. If you have more to share let me know

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