Lorton Reformatory

History

Plans for the workhouse were ongoing in 1910 with Snowden Ashford as the Municipal Architect responsible for the workhouse while Leon E. Dessez was the special architect who was appointed by the commissioners to draft plans for the new workhouse. It opened in 1916 as a facility for less serious offenders in the Lorton Correctional Complex. It is located in nearby Lorton in southern Fairfax County, Virginia. In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed a special Penal Commission to investigate deplorable conditions of the District of Columbia's jail and workhouse in Washington. As a result, the Commission recommended a complete change in the philosophy and treatment of prisoners in D.C. The United States Congress acted upon this recommendation, and a 1,155-acre (5 km²) tract north of the Occoquan River was purchased in 1910 through condemnation proceedings.

Classically inspired, symmetrical dormitory complexes were constructed instead of cellblocks. The brick buildings were built by the prisoners themselves, using brick manufactured at the on-site kiln complex located on the banks of the Occoquan. It became known in its later years, however, as an outdated and badly overcrowded facility. The last prisoners were removed from Lorton Reformatory late in 2001. As a result of the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, felons from the District of Columbia began going to Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities.

As a result of the Silent Sentinels pickets of the women's suffrage movement at the White House in Washington D.C., approximately 168 women, most from the National Women's Party, were detained and mistreated at the Medium Security facility from June to December 1917. Some suffragists at the facility were force-fed after they began hunger strikes. The night of November 14, 1917, is known as the "Night of Terror" because of how badly the suffragist prisoners were tortured, beaten, and abused. These events were dramatized in the 2004 film Iron Jawed Angels.

Near the Reformatory lies Revolutionary War patriot William Lindsay's circa 1790 estate known as Laurel Hill. This house served as a residence for the reformatory superintendent.

Initially only the maximum security section was fenced, but fences were established for other sections in the 1970s due to area politicians asking for the closing of the prison and increased concerns over prison escapes.

The reformatory had its own railroad, the Lorton and Occoquan Railroad that operated from 1911 to 1977.

Lorton Reformatory also hosted Nike missile site W-64.

On July 15, 2002, Fairfax County received title to the facility. The transfer was enabled by the Lorton Technical Corrections Act passed by Congress in October 1998. It required the county to develop a plan to maximize use of land for open space, parkland or recreation prior to the transfer. Plans for the land the prison occupied can be found at the Fairfax County planning site.

The site has been part of the D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory Historic District since February 16, 2006.

Composition

Notable prisoners

In popular culture

Portrayals of events at the Occoquan Workhouse played a key part in the 2004 film Iron Jawed Angels, a film about the history of the National Woman's Party, Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and other members of the 1910s Women's Voting Rights Movement.

Lorton Reformatory 2016

In 2002, The "Lorton Arts Foundation" sought out a great idea to reuse the property of the prison. The idea was too simply reconstruct and repair the prison facility, and turn it into a Cultural Arts Center. Of course, much had to be altered to serve as such a place. In 2004, approval from "The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors" allowed the project to get under way. Soon after the decision was made to repurpose the land and old historic buildings, restoration begun. Walls were repaired, rooms were completely cleared, and of course the tall fences around the property were taken down. In 2008, the Arts Center was ready to be used by the public. With four years to build and restore, six separate buildings were transformed into the headquarters for hobbies of all types. Ceramics, photography, painting, theatre, film and much more is now offered and accessible by the public within these buildings. Classes are offered to those who wish to learn, in most or all of the categories offered. The Cultural Arts Center also houses famous pieces of art by renown, and local artists. Well-known artists have visited the center to teach, and to present their work. With over 800 different art classes offered, this has become a safe heaven for the aspiring artist.

Along with the Cultural Arts Center, the once prison yard has now become home to baseball and soccer fields. With a lot of grass still available, plans are in place to add more athletic fields. During Halloween the essence of the old Prison is reawaken. Many attend a yearly walk through of the old grounds, with elements set in place to spook the guests. Theatre stages have been set up in order to host local theatre organizations.

Walkthroughs/tours were offered before the restoration begun in 2004. Many were able to apply online for a spot in the tour. Rooms such as the cafeteria, Warden's office, shower room, cell dorms and more were on the guided tour. While much has been restored, tours of the prison are still offered, however the authenticity might be slightly less. Either way the history is preserved, and provides a look into what the prison once was.

Some are attracted to the idea that they are standing where once convicted felons were. Guard towers are still surrounding the grounds. The buildings themselves still have an ominous look to them. The Wardens house is still intact, and the once "cell block" or in this case the dormitories used by the inmates are still there. The appeal to the Cultural Arts Center is plentiful, offering artistic accessibility to thousands, while effectively reusing once restricted property.