I began working at the Old Joliet prison as a medic in 1987 until close in 2002(responded to hangings,fights,riots,stabbings and a bunch of cool stuff). Prior to working inside the prison,we had to attend training in the administration building. The first few days were benefits based information such as medical,deferred compensation,pay raises,retirement ie..Then on the 3rd day on the agenda was a briefing by Major Donald "Duke" Cartwright. The Major came into the room filled with us new employees,shut the door and stated" If you plan on making Corrections as you career,YOU WILL be involved in a hostage and riot situation. There was an audible gasp in the air because the big Major had a fierce presence and you believe what he said. I was a 22 year old gung ho former U.S Navy Marine corpsman so I was pumped up ! After lunch that day,we all noticed that some employees did not show back for training(and never returned),thanks to the Majors words. He weeded out the weak,just like a military drill instructor would do. What a pleasure to work along side this icon and Mike Johnson as well. Peace brothers! Don U. Med Tech
I did time in here too, in the late 90's/early 2000's, until closing. Pulling up to hose front gates was am imposing sight, hearing them open, & then shut you in there is something that you'll NEVER FORGET! I was a young, misguided Chicago kid when I first went there the first time. Walking up to the cell house for your first time the inmates already there serving time are screaming out the windows what they're gonna do to you, & some unfortunate inmates get exactly what they're getting yelled at them!💯 My first day there some guy "tried" you rape my cellie I had when they rolled the doors for breakfast, & thankfully I heard him yelling, & me & 2 of my guys went in there to save him, & bounced the attempted rapists head off EVERY metal surface in there. The chow hall is also something you don't forget, seeing all the buck shot/bullet holes in the ceiling, & knowing that that's where riots usually kick off! I served 12yrs in IDOC, & 6 in Nevada Dept of Corrections, I served time in Nevada State Prison in Carson City Nevada, which was built in 1853, & was there when they closed down also, so not something to be proud of, but I served time in 2 of the oldest prisons in the U.S. I'm glad to say I changed my life around upon release in 2014 here in Nevada, & got married, had a son, & been a productive member of society ever since. Most of you c/of a in Illinois weren't too bad to us, there was a few bad seeds, but overall I can't complain, I WAS A PRISONER!💯😂 Plus the school programs, & other things the state offered really helped some of us change our lives around, I got 2 associates degrees there, & my GED. Nevada on the other IS AWFUL!😤 They treat you terribly, the food is terrible, they offer NO PROGRAMS, & are just too petty, they live to harass us! They honestly tried to murder me in Northern Nevada Correctional Center after a dentist fractured my jaw, & left me with NO HEALTH CARE for 3 days, & no surgery for 9 days, I was suing them, so they were harassing me non stop, & would throw me in the infirmary & take me off ALL MY MEDS, even for blood pressure for complaining about pain, I had a few minor strokes because of this being done over & over. Google that prison, A LOT of deaths for 1 prison!💯
@@steliosconstantinides8117 It looked EXACTLY THE SAME, most of the guards in the show were actual ex correctional officers from there, even the inmates clothes were the same exact stuff we were, they just used the stuff left behind
I lived there in 1977. It is a crying shame, the state this fine building has been allowed to fall into! I could see allowing everything built after 1899 to go to crap, but damn.
You must have been hanging around with the cobras I've been paying attention to your shorts and you always lean towards the cobras and mlds so stop trying to be an innocent bystander you were involved with gangs at some level the Kings did not jump you for the hell of it and that was a long time ago you need to move on almost everybody on the south side had a fight with one or the other Kings or cobras and almost everybody was on one side or the other weather they were on count or not that means a member are you just represented you had ties to folks at some level I can tell just how you favor cobras
Prison Break took me here.
I just took the Guard Tour last Saturday. Mike Johnson is an excellent tour guide. I could listen to his stories all day.
I was there in the summer of 1984.
Saw the fights and shootings on the west yard.
I began working at the Old Joliet prison as a medic in 1987 until close in 2002(responded to hangings,fights,riots,stabbings and a bunch of cool stuff). Prior to working inside the prison,we had to attend training in the administration building. The first few days were benefits based information such as medical,deferred compensation,pay raises,retirement ie..Then on the 3rd day on the agenda was a briefing by Major Donald "Duke" Cartwright. The Major came into the room filled with us new employees,shut the door and stated" If you plan on making Corrections as you career,YOU WILL be involved in a hostage and riot situation. There was an audible gasp in the air because the big Major had a fierce presence and you believe what he said. I was a 22 year old gung ho former U.S Navy Marine corpsman so I was pumped up ! After lunch that day,we all noticed that some employees did not show back for training(and never returned),thanks to the Majors words. He weeded out the weak,just like a military drill instructor would do. What a pleasure to work along side this icon and Mike Johnson as well. Peace brothers! Don U. Med Tech
John Wayne Gacy....
Once a Marine always a Marine. Get it right.
@@briancross8664 calm down
@@donjen3 just saying there's a code to the Corp and that's what separates us from the rest.HOO RAH!!!!!!
I worked there from 1989 to 1991. I used to work under Major Cartwright and I remember Mike Johnson.
John Wayne Gacy?
I did time in here too, in the late 90's/early 2000's, until closing. Pulling up to hose front gates was am imposing sight, hearing them open, & then shut you in there is something that you'll NEVER FORGET! I was a young, misguided Chicago kid when I first went there the first time. Walking up to the cell house for your first time the inmates already there serving time are screaming out the windows what they're gonna do to you, & some unfortunate inmates get exactly what they're getting yelled at them!💯 My first day there some guy "tried" you rape my cellie I had when they rolled the doors for breakfast, & thankfully I heard him yelling, & me & 2 of my guys went in there to save him, & bounced the attempted rapists head off EVERY metal surface in there. The chow hall is also something you don't forget, seeing all the buck shot/bullet holes in the ceiling, & knowing that that's where riots usually kick off! I served 12yrs in IDOC, & 6 in Nevada Dept of Corrections, I served time in Nevada State Prison in Carson City Nevada, which was built in 1853, & was there when they closed down also, so not something to be proud of, but I served time in 2 of the oldest prisons in the U.S. I'm glad to say I changed my life around upon release in 2014 here in Nevada, & got married, had a son, & been a productive member of society ever since. Most of you c/of a in Illinois weren't too bad to us, there was a few bad seeds, but overall I can't complain, I WAS A PRISONER!💯😂 Plus the school programs, & other things the state offered really helped some of us change our lives around, I got 2 associates degrees there, & my GED. Nevada on the other IS AWFUL!😤 They treat you terribly, the food is terrible, they offer NO PROGRAMS, & are just too petty, they live to harass us! They honestly tried to murder me in Northern Nevada Correctional Center after a dentist fractured my jaw, & left me with NO HEALTH CARE for 3 days, & no surgery for 9 days, I was suing them, so they were harassing me non stop, & would throw me in the infirmary & take me off ALL MY MEDS, even for blood pressure for complaining about pain, I had a few minor strokes because of this being done over & over. Google that prison, A LOT of deaths for 1 prison!💯
@@steliosconstantinides8117 It looked EXACTLY THE SAME, most of the guards in the show were actual ex correctional officers from there, even the inmates clothes were the same exact stuff we were, they just used the stuff left behind
Where did the Editing go in the Last Hour!?
He wad bore in 1903My grandfather lived very close to the prison trading with chained prisoners...as a teenager attended hangings 12:29 12:29 by
Historically it's nice, but it's all two hours of bullshit and talking...Why not make a tour and show us everything together with the chip chat ???
I lived there in 1977.
It is a crying shame, the state this fine building has been allowed to fall into! I could see allowing everything built after 1899 to go to crap, but damn.
In the show Mindhunter - they depicted the prison as an absolute madhouse. Inmates screaming endlessly and running amuck. Is that how it was?
@@bretthousman8317 No. No one was running amuck. And it was easier time than Menard State Prison.
@@captaincobb8146 I appreciate your response Captain.
Gacy was in this prison for awhile he came in 1980
My parents work right next of there at azteca
You must have been hanging around with the cobras I've been paying attention to your shorts and you always lean towards the cobras and mlds so stop trying to be an innocent bystander you were involved with gangs at some level the Kings did not jump you for the hell of it and that was a long time ago you need to move on almost everybody on the south side had a fight with one or the other Kings or cobras and almost everybody was on one side or the other weather they were on count or not that means a member are you just represented you had ties to folks at some level I can tell just how you favor cobras