Yuma Territorial Prison
Arizona's Version of Devil's Island
 Many of the nation’s prisons have had notorious pasts. Yuma Territorial Prison in Yuma, Arizona is one such notorious prison, but it also has a surprising history that travelers to the area may want to check out. Today, the prison is a State Historic Park that is open to visitors. Operated by Arizona’s State Parks, this landmark is a must-see for tourists so they can imagine what life must have been like for criminals sentenced to the Yuma Territorial Prison.
Prison History.
Yuma Territorial Prison opened for business in 1876 during Yuma's rough and tough wild west days. Over a course of thirty-three years, it jailed 3,069 prisons that included twenty-nine female inmates. The prison’s criminals served prison sentences for everything from murder to polygamy, but thievery was the most common offense. In its heyday, the prison was often called “Devil’s Island” or “Hell Hole” giving one the impression of its menacing notoriety. On the contrary though, the nicknames were mainly due to the prison’s location. Yuma was one of Arizona’s most isolated, hot, and dry places. And in those days there wasn't air conditioning or other methods of cooling the temperature. The inmates must have suffered through the intense desert heat during their stays in very small cells with little air circulation.
Interestingly, no executions were ever held at the prison, although many died of tuberculosis which ran rampant through the area in those days. Unruly prisoners faced dark cells where they would be chained to the stone floor. Prisoners who tried to escape faced a sentence with a ball and chain in order to prevent subsequent attempts to flee. But all in all, and considering the times, Yuma Territorial Prison generally received good marks as far as a humane prison operation. Many prisoners had access to school as well as decent medical treatment.
During their free time, prisoners were allowed to create hand-crafted items that were sold each Sunday at bazaars following church services. Written records indicate that, except for the weather, prisoners were treated quite humanely and that Yuma had a reputation as a model prison for its time.
The prison closed in 1909 because it was too small to house a swelling prison population. In 1910, it was used to house the Yuma Union High School—an unusual turn of events, but one that proved successful for several years. During the Great Depression, homeless people were able to live within the prison for no charge. Clearly, the prison’s history is quite colorful and visitors will delight in the tours and additional information provided by the State Park and its historical museum.
Visiting the Prison Today.
Visitors to the state park have the unique opportunity to view what life was like for territorial prisoners more than a century ago. Desperados and hardened criminals were cramped into hot cells in this deserted part of Arizona. The park offers many annual events such as the Gathering of the Gunfighters and various reenactments that should please visitors of all ages.
Annual Events Held At The Prison.
Gathering of the Gunfighters - Second weekend in January
Fund Raising Dinner - February
Yuma Crossing Day - Last Saturday in February
Hard Ride to Yuma Prison - Mid April
Haunted Tours - Last Saturday in October
Evening Encounter - First Saturday in December
Old West Reenactments - Every Sunday, October through April
Directions To Yuma Territorial Prison.
The prison is located in Yuma, Arizona at 1 Prison Hill Road on the banks of the Colorado River which divides Arizona from California. Travelers and tourist from both directions should take I-8 to Yuma. Then, take Exit 1 to Giss Parkway and turn onto Prison Hill Road. The park is open to the public daily from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Picnic areas and restrooms are available on the grounds.
For More Information.
Yuma Territorial Prison
(928) 783-4771
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