Additional information
by Ann Burkly (Author), Steve Dunkelberger (Author)
McNeil Island might look like just another wooded island along Washington State's Puget Sound. That first impression would be wrong. McNeil was home to territorial, federal, and state prison systems, and its inmate roster included mobsters, politicians, infamous killers, and bank robbers. But, alongside the inmates and the wire that contained them was a thriving community. The original pioneer residents and, later, the families of essential prison staff lived their daily lives as normally as possible while anchored by prison activities.
Author Biography
Ann M. Burkly lived on McNeil Island and attended school there. Living on the lush island and interacting with prisoners gave her a deep appreciation for life, nature, and humanity. A historian, Ann has published articles in academic papers and blogs about McNeil. Her master's degree focused on the island, and Ann founded the McNeil Island Historical Society, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving McNeil's unique history. Steve W. Dunkelberger, a journalist in the Puget Sound region for two decades, is also a noted historian and author of local histories, including two other Arcadia Publishing titles concerning the city of Lakewood.
