Keeper of the Keys: A Warden's Notebook

Recounts the memories of the men and women Wayne K. Patterson knew and worked with during the 40 years he served in the Colorado Correction system. Supplementing the stories are pictures of prison breaks, execution orders, prison life along with politicians and other men and women that the remarkable Warden Patterson lived and worked with. The book is an easy read full of amusing, sad and sometimes dangerous stories of the Warden's experience. Readers enjoy it because it can be read all in one setting or story by story.

Wayne K. Patterson served more than 40 years in the Colorado Correctional System. He was warden of both the original penal institutions in the sate, at Buena Vista and Canon City. He was Executive Director of the first Department of Parole in Colorado, was later Chairman of the Parole Board and Director of Corrections for the City and County of Denver. Patterson has held national offices in professional associations and is a past Vice President of the American Association of Wardens and Superintendents and of the West Central Warden' Association. Betty L. Alt is the co-author of six other books, including Uncle Sam's Brides; Campfollowing: A History of the Military Wife; Weeping Violins: The Gypsy Tragedy in Europe; Slaughter in Cell House 3 (with Patterson); Wicked Women; and Black Soldiers/White Wars. She has a B.A. in sociology from Colorado College, an M. A. degree in history from Truman State University in Northeast Missouri and is currently a lecturer in sociology at Colorado State University-Pueblo.