The Burlington County Prison

Built in 1811 in Mount Holly and intended to be a short-term holding facility, Burlington County Prison became one of the most notorious prisons of its time as criminals of all sorts spent days, years or lifetimes in its dungeon-like cells. Renowned architect Robert Mills designed the structure to be escape-proof, but more than a few prisoners overcame that challenge. Murderers, kidnappers, abusers, alcoholics, the mentally ill and other undesirables� served time here. Many were executed on the grounds, while others never left. From conception to construction, from criminal deviants to prisoners guilty of simply being poor, authors Dennis Rizzo and Dave Kimball explore the prison's past and present, the whole story of one of New Jersey's most well-known landmarks.

Dennis Rizzo is the author of numerous books and articles. In late 2010, he moved to Orillia, Ontario, where he has joined the Mariposa Writers Group (a writing and critique group) and is their web manager. He is the chair of the Orillia Community Kitchen Resource Group and a member of the Orillia Museum of Art and History.