Pay to Spend the Night in Jail Friday in Bristow

BRISTOW, VA — Well, now. This certainly is a departure from the usual routine when spending the night in jail on the weekends, after which one generally has to pay a bail bondsman to get out of jail.

Instead, for $125 per person this weekend, folks will pay to spend the night in jail.

But this is no ordinary jail. It's the historic Brentsville Jail, and the event, dubbed simply "Overnight Stay in Brentsville Jail" will be held Friday night beginning at 8 at the nearly 200-year-old facility at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road.

Perfect for a pre-Halloween adventure, no less.

Cells will be cleared 8 a.m. Saturday.

From 1822-1893, the brick jail building housed people accused of theft, poisoning and even murder. According to a release, a prominent Prince William County resident was gunned down in his cell awaiting trial.

Awaiting modern-day prisoners during the event, folks will receive spooky history lessons about some of the old jail's more interesting inmates and other factoids about the facility.

Reservations are required.

Image: Prince William County Historic Preservation Division