Wentzville Resident Producing Documentary Titled: The Missouri State Penitentiary: 168 Years of Brutal History

Hello Patch Subscribers!

I am a proud resident of Wentzville, and the owner of Storyboard Film Studio. Earlier this year, I had an interest in producing a documentary on The Missouri State Penitentiary, which is located in Jefferson City Missouri.

Built in 1836 and employing inmate labor, the Missouri State Penitentiary housed prisoners 100 years before Alcatraz. This would not only become the oldest penitentiary West of the Mississippi but also one of the most violent by the time it closed its doors in 2004. In fact, 40 executions took place within its walls, and Time Magazine called it “The Bloodiest 47 Acres In America” back in the sixties. Former inmates such as “Pretty Boy Floyd” and “Firebug” Johnson would help contribute to the penitentiary’s reputation. These guys were not housed here for sneaking under circus tents either - These were serious, hard-core criminals.

The Missouri State Penitentiary is rich in history and intrigue. There is no shortage of stories from the days inmates called this place home… Settling scores, riots, arson and unexplained paranormal phenomena.

I hope to bring all of this (and much more) together in this documentary by interviewing the former warden and correctional officers, tour guides and maybe even a former prisoner! After that I will be staying overnight in the jail with a small film crew to see what goes “Bump in the Night”.

The full-length documentary is expected to last up to 90 minutes, however the trailer is now available and I would like to invite you to take a look. I hope that it intrigues you and that you want to see the full documentary!

Video Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6XOBwYNBkw

Kindly,
Wade J. Ramponi
Owner: Storyboard Film Studio