Kentucky State Penitentiary, Eddyville, Kentucky

This is a photograph that I made at the Kentucky State maximum security prison in Eddyville in Lyon County, Kentucky in June 2006. This penitentiary is home to the state of Kentucky's "death row." It is known as the "castle" because of its architectural design. During my years in the Kentucky National Guard, I served in one of the state's military police units and we had an annual assignment at this prison. We were granted a tour of most of the prison and were shown the "death chamber." I had the distinct "opportunity" to sit in the electric chair, which is made from wood that used to be part of the hanging gallows....it was an eerie experience to say the least! I also worked as part of a security detail at this prison in 1997 for the execution of convicted killer, Harold McQueen.