Panzram at Leavenworth

Book excerpt: On February 1, 1929, Carl Panzram, the self-described "meanest man who ever lived", stepped through the gates at the Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas. Upon entering the penitentiary, Panzram mentioned to the Warden that he would kill the first person who bothered him. Keeping his word, Panzram murdered the civilian laundry foreman who was taunting Panzram about his past crimes. A life of torture and suffering led Panzram to hate the entire human race and himself. His only friend was Washington D.C. corrections officer Henry Lesser, who Panzram continued corresponding with while incarcerated at USP Leavenworth. Eventually, Panzram is placed in segregation across from another famous criminal, Robert Stroud, The Birdman of Alcatraz, who observes Panzram and writes about him. Panzram does not censor himself as he conveys his thoughts on murder, segregation, the death penalty, and his desire to die. Panzram at Leavenworth is the first book to accurately depict murderer Carl Panzram's time at the federal penitentiary. Presenting archival documents and photographs, a clear view of the events which transpired during Panzram's time at Leavenworth Penitentiary comes into focus.