JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Members of the public got to see some interesting items that came from the old state penitentiary Sunday evening.
The event was held at Prison Brews restaurant in downtown Jefferson City. Some of the items showed off the artistic side of inmates. Everything from intricate leather work to wood working was on display.
Community members who may have worked in the prison were encouraged to bring in their own items.
"There are hundreds and hundreds of items out there that families have and the gamut is absolutely unbelievable,” said tour guide Mark Schreiber. “Everything from furniture to prison-made weapons that were illegal to novelty items."
The current warden of the Jefferson City Correctional Center said that while some prisoners discovered their artistic talents behind bars, other inmates chose to make weapons.
"They can make a weapon out of just about anything and some of the items here show it,” said warden Dave Dormire. “Some of these are more dangerous items. Any item they can get their hands on, they can make a weapon into."
Though not all prisoners were violent. One talented inmate painted the official state portrait of a Missouri Supreme Court justice.
The hope is that one day the items can go into a museum on the prison grounds. If you have any items that you believe may be from the prison, you can call the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau and ask for Mark Schreiber.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG