1878 State Prison

In Concord, stands a structure that has carried out its purpose for over a century. Built in 1878, the New Hampshire State Prison was constructed to replace an earlier facility from 1812, reflecting a shift toward a more organized and permanent system of incarceration.  

The prison is built primarily of brick, with its long walls and narrow windows giving it a contained, self-contained presence. The original layout centered on cell blocks and regimented space with a daily life followed strict routines of discipline and labor.  

In its early years, inmates were put to work in prison industries, producing goods such as shoes, furniture and textiles. The labor was considered part of the system, meant to instill discipline and prepare individuals for life beyond the prison walls.  

The prison reflects the changing nature of justice. What began as a place defined by strict discipline and labor, gradually adapted to education programs and rehabilitation efforts. Today, the New Hampshire State Prison for Men functions as the state’s primary correctional facility, housing inmates across multiple custody levels, including maximum security.  

In earlier years, the prison was also the site of capital punishment in New Hampshire. Executions were carried out by hanging within the prison grounds, a practice that continued into the early 20th century. The last execution took place in 1939, marking the end of that chapter.

Despite all these changes, the presence of the original structure remains.  The walls still stand.