Prison Chronicles, airing on History, takes viewers inside some of the world’s most notorious prisons, and in this episode, the series turns its attention to Leavenworth. Located 25 miles northwest of Kansas City, Leavenworth was once the largest maximum-security federal prison in the United States, known for its imposing dome, which gave rise to the term “the big house.”
The episode highlights three tales of struggle and survival within the prison’s walls. It begins with the story of Carl Panzram, a violent inmate with a penchant for attacking his foreman.
The narrative then shifts to Robert Stroud, a murderer who finds an unexpected passion for ornithology and becomes famous for his work with birds.
Finally, the episode explores the drug trade within the prison, which gives rise to one of the country’s most feared inmates, Tommy Silverstein.
Prison Chronicles: Leavenworth airs on Monday, September 2, 2024, at 10:33 p.m. on History.
