When I was in Hawaii recently I visited the Hale Pa’ahao prison on Maui. It was quite different from Alcatraz.  Much more relaxed.  It’s on the West Maui town of Lahaina, down a side street off the main drag where all the tourist shops are. It was interesting to see such a quaint, pleasant building — and of course they have a big palm tree out in front.  The outer walls are made of coral.

With all the whaling going on there in the 1850s, apparently they needed a place to lock up the rowdy sailors who had too much to drink.  But conditions weren’t very harsh at all, and the offenses for which you could get locked up for were relatively minor.  About the worst thing you could get in trouble for was “disturbing the quiet of the night” or “lascivious conduct.”

The prison rules were relatively mild as well. But check out Rule No. 14 … now THAT one sounds interesting!