PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Introducing West Virginia Penitentiary’s Photography Tour!

This is not a guided tour; you can roam at your own pace and leisure. The gate is opened approximately 15 minutes prior to the tour time for check-in. Each photographer is responsible for their own equipment and is required to sign a waiver/agreement upon check-in. The front gate will be locked shortly after check-in. Please do not be late as there may not be a way to contact a staff person.

You do not have to be a professional photographer to take advantage of this opportunity. We welcome professionals, amateurs, artists, painters, and everyone in between!

During your photography tour, you are allowed access to areas that are not accessible to the public on a regular basis and the basic tour route. The areas that are available during a photography tour are as follows:

• The Sugar Shack
• The Boiler Room
• The Infirmary
• The Psych Ward
• South recreation yard
• North Hall and New Wall (cell blocks)
• Visitation
• Kitchen and cafeteria
• Note: Due to ongoing Corrections and Law Enforcement trainings, some areas may be closed without notice.

You will NOT have access to the following areas:

• Any part of the Administration Building (including the former warden’s quarters)
• The Warden’s Residence
• The Guard Towers
• The North Yard
• The Indoor Gun Range
• Event Center
• Haunted house
• Chapel
• The Obstacle Course on the South Yard
• Any areas used solely by the Division of Corrections

In June, July, and August, you will be sharing the facility with tour groups. We ask that you refrain from blocking doors and pathways, and keep the floor clear of equipment that may cause a hazard to guests.

You may bring drinks and snacks. NO ALCOHOL. Please pick up and dispose of your mess.

There is no heat or air conditioning throughout our facility. The building will be extremely HOT in the summer and extremely COLD in the winter. Please dress according to the weather! We will NOT postpone due to rain.

Our Photography Tour route does have areas that are not wheelchair/walker friendly and involve stairs with lowlighting.

Please bring a flashlight!

Tickets are non-refundable and MUST be purchased online. Online ticket sales end at 10:00 p.m. EST the evening before a scheduled photography tour to notify staff to be on hand.

IMPORTANT: Please complete the online waiver that you receive in your email once your booking is placed. You will not be permitted to attend a photography tour without a signed agreement.