The New Mexico Corrections Department will be offering tours of the
"Old Main" prison over the summer to a limited number of people. These
tours are to inform visitors about what happened during the February
2, 1980 riot and teach them more the Corrections Department. The money
from these tickets will go back into revitalizing the facility. These
tours are centered around the "Old Main" theme; "Respecting our Past
to Create a Better Future". There will be no ghost stories or related
topics discussed on these tours. Please be at the facility no later
than 15 minutes before the start of your tour time. The facility is
just south of Santa Fe. If you are coming from Albuquerque, take I-25
north and exit 599 (Veteran's Memorial Hwy). Turn right at the light.
Go two more lights (there will be an Allsups at the corner) and turn
right. The road will go to one lane, when it opens back up, get in the
right-hand lane and turn right into the New Mexico Corrections
Department parking lot. Please plan your travel time wisely, tours
will not be held back to wait for late visitors. NO refunds will be
given. *IMPORTANT INFORMATION* You will be shuttled to the facility by
vans. You will be stopped by officers at the front gate. Weapons,
drugs and alcohol are prohibited on prison grounds. You, your car, and
your property are subject to search on prison grounds. NO person under
the age of 16 will be admitted for the Old Main Tour due to the
content and restrictions on the facility. All visitors will be
required to show a valid ID to be admitted into the facility. Tickets
are non-transferable. Drugs, alcohol and weapons are prohibited from
the facility and could result in criminal charges if brought on the
property. All visitors must wear closed toe and heel shoes. The Old
Main Tour does require quite a bit of walking and those unable to walk
for long periods of time are discouraged from taking the tour. The
facility is not ADA compliant and those visitors who need special
accommodations may not be able to experience the full tour route.
There are NO bathrooms, electricity, and/or heating/air conditioning
in Old Main. Please dress appropriately for this tour. If it is in the
fall/winter months, visitors are encouraged to bring a jacket. ALL
visitors are required to sign a waiver or release of liability upon
entering the facility. Failure to do so will result in the visitors
not being allowed into the facility. The Old Main and Penitentiary of
New Mexico are prison facilities. To ensure the safety of Old Main and
the Penitentiary of New Mexico you, like other visitors, could be
subject to reasonable searches or other security measures if needed.
Visitors must purchase tickets through this website. Walk-ins will not
be accepted. You can bring a camera, but pictures are restricted in
two areas. *Scheduled Tours are available upon request for groups
larger than 50.
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27/07/2019 Last update