Front Entrance

Bullpen

In the movie, "Shawshank Redemption," the arriving inmates were brought in through the West Gate (also called the Railroad Gate). This was not done in the 70s. That gate was strictly a supply gate. In the 70s, inmates were brought in through the front, processed, and taken to the center of the two cellblocks, known as the "Bullpen."

I do not know when the picture of the Bullpen was taken, but by 1972, the bars were removed and the center of the room had a counter top and elevated platform about 3-4 feet tall to give better observation. In the movie, "Shawshank Redemption," the bullpen is shown without the platform, and is where the Warden addresses the new arrivals.

From the platform the officers on duty had a good view of the East and West cellblocks. The Isolation Wing was closed off by a solid steel door and the Barbershop Wing was closed by a solid wall, and had to be entered from outside.

On the next page, I will take you on a tour of the cellblocks.