During the first half of the 20th century, Florida prisoners were divided into two categories: Grade 1 prisoners were sent to the chain gangs to build the roads and highways that brought settlers and tourists to the state, and Grade 2 prisoners were sent to the state prison farm near Raiford. The farm began as a temporary stockade in November 1913 but expanded dramatically in the 1920s and 1930s as permanent structures including factories and an execution chamber were established. As there was no separate women's prison before 1952, all female prisoners were also housed at the state prison far ... More

During the first half of the 20th century, Florida prisoners were divided into two categories: Grade 1 prisoners were sent to the chain gangs to build the roads and highways that brought settlers and tourists to the state, and Grade 2 prisoners were sent to the state prison farm near Raiford. The farm began as a temporary stockade in November 1913 but expanded dramatically in the 1920s and 1930s as permanent structures including factories and an execution chamber were established. As there was no separate women's prison before 1952, all female prisoners were also housed at the state prison farm. Over 45,000 men, women, and some children spent time in Florida's prison farms and road camps between 1913 and 1956. The majority of inmates were African American men, and the prison system was defined by racial segregation and expectations of black deference to white guards and inmates. Raiford was the third largest prison farm in the United States and in the interwar years was considered by penologists across the U.S. to be a progressive and innovative penal farm. Yet, overcrowding, mistreatment of inmates, silent sabotage, and prisoner protests were also commonplace in these years. To chart Florida's uneven journey toward penal modernism, this study explores the origins and development of Florida's prison farms and chain gangs, the changing racial and gender demographics of the inmate population, the institutional life and leisure activities of guards and inmates, and the development of prison healthcare.