City Could Buy Old Joliet Prison — And the Price is a Steal

• Read: Joliet Officials, Museum Considering Offering Prison Tours

City Manager Jim Hock told WJOL that even if the legislation gets the OK, city officials will have to think long and hard about buying the property, which is in need of repairs. Several weeks ago, the brick roof on an old administration building collapsed and fell three floors into the basement, and a year ago, a fire destroyed the old prison warehouse.

Hock didn't immediately return a phone call from Patch on Tuesday, but Joliet Area Historical Museum Executive Director Greg Peerbolte was excited about the possible purchase.

"I would think owning the property is a double-edged sword," Peerbolte acknowledged, saying ownership could pave the way for tours to begin — but then the city and the museum would be responsible for the old prison's upkeep.

The proposed tours, which would allow guests to get a glimpse behind the prison walls but not inside the buildings, could help fund efforts to refurbish the institution, which housed prisoners from the 1850s to 2002.

The site, made famous in 1980's "The Blues Brothers" and in other movies and TV shows including "Prison Break," could open up for bus and walking tours.

Peerbolte said museum staff hopes to have tours up and running between August and October of this year.

He said proceeds from the tours would be split three ways, with one-third of the costs going to reimburse the property owner — whether it's the Illinois Department of Corrections or the City of Joliet — for repairs. Another third would go into a general preservation fund, and the remainder would go into a museum operations fund.

One day, Peerbolte said, he hopes to see the old prison rehabbed to allow tourists to walk through the buildings, similar to what's happened at the famed Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. He said reps from Eastern State have even consulted with museum staff to help with the process.

"This is not the same tour we want to have in five years," Peerbolte said of the outside-only tour.

The tentative $40 price tag is also not set in stone, he said, adding the museum could offer discounted rates or possible family packages.

But for now, "The plan is just to get people inside of the walls," Peerbolte said. "It's got a really unique campus feel to it. There's a lot to see out there even without going inside the buildings."

Peerbolte said the historical museum has already begun looking to hire additional employees to conduct the tours — and he is willing to take the financial risk to invest in the prison.

"I believe in this project," he said.

Peerbolte said he hopes that once tours get up and running, the project's success will allow the museum to apply for grants to help fund repairs at the site. 

Legislation that could allow the city to purchase the prison has yet to go before the General Assembly. Hock told WJOL he's not sure when it could be up for a vote, or whether it could happen during the current session.