While Visiting Arizona, I Ended up in Prison

The Sonoran Desert of southwest Arizona is a big draw for thousands of “snow birds” from the frozen north during the winter months. They come in all types, sizes and colors of RV’s and tents to enjoy the warmth and sun and camp in the desert on BLM Land for free.

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Entrance to Yuma Prison Cemetery

I spent some time there as well in January and February and made some new friends. I also went across the border into Los Algodones, Mexico and had my teeth cleaned. There are dozens of dental and vision clinics there and hundreds of Americans and Canadians walk across the border daily for cheap, professional dental and vision care. Additionally, you can pick up prescription drugs there for a fraction of what it would cost you in the U.S. I had family and friends asking if I felt safe. I can tell you, I felt as safe there as anywhere in the U.S.A. There is a large police presence as well as private security. In fact, I asked the U.S. trained dentist who cleaned my teeth, if Los Algodones was safe. She said it like this: Los Algodones is a very safe place. All the businesses in Los Algodones rely primarily on Americans and Canadians for their livelihood. If this were not a safe place, Americans and Canadians would discontinue coming here, so we as a community insist on and work hard to insure that Los Algodones remains a safe place to visit.

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Yuma Prison Cemetery

Since Yuma, Arizona is just across the border from Los Algodones, I toured the city and found the old “Yuma Territorial Prison.” The prison opened On July 1, 1876 and was active for 33 years. 104 of the prisoners who lost their lives to disease, accidents, murder, suicide and escape attempts, are buried in the prison cemetery.

If you saw the movie; 3:10 to Yuma, it was about a prisoner being transported to this prison.

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Yuma Prison Plaque with names of inmates

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