Location: Ossining, N.Y.
Sing Sing sits on the scenic banks of the Hudson River, 30 miles north of New York City. The phrases "sent to the big house" and "sent up the river" both originated here.
Ambiance: Built in 1825, a time in which prisoner's rights were not a concern, oppressive Sing Sing was once known for such tortures as "the bath," in which water was poured over a prisoner's head only to collect, and terrifyingly rise, in a hollow basin worn around the neck and head, and "bucking," where prisoners were hung upside down for long periods of time. Today Sing Sing has been rebuilt as a fully modernized prison facility, and there's talk of turning the original cellblock into a museum.
Famous Guests: Former residents include spies Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, serial killer and cannibal Albert Fish, and prolific bank robber Willie Sutton.
Activities: All inmates attend school until they receive their GED. Sing Sing also offers vocational programs, religious services, treatment programs for drugs and alcohol, and counseling services.
Staff: There are 1,000-plus staffers to handle the prison population of about 1,700.
