Roleplay

The Arrest and Processing

You will be arrested and processed into jail

Upon your arrival, expect to be arrested by a uniformed officer. The procedure is realistic. We have had hundreds of inmate guests come to the jail since 2016. Our, nearly all volunteer, staff members know how to provide a professional, intense, and immersive experience for the guests. It can be very intimidating, but don't forget, this is all just role play.

Your first cell is a holding cell

You’ll be placed in a holding cell, your belongings taken from you, and you’ll receive a uniform. Mug shots are part of the process.

Note: Usually, we use orange uniforms as were used during the final twenty years that the jail operated. However, we have access to a very large collection of antique and modern prison uniforms. If you are interested in this collection, let us know so that we can arrange to let you wear some of them during your role-playing adventure.

The Cell Block

The old jail cells are an ominous site to see. Soon you find yourself locked in the big cage that sits in the middle of a large metal room. You will spend a lot of your time in this room, as well as your cell.

Doing Time in Jail

You will be treated as a high risk Inmate

You’ll be treated as a high-risk inmate. Cell searches, scheduled meals, and showers are part of the routine.

Recreational activities are a privilege, and discipline awaits those who don’t comply with officers.

You will be controlled by the officers

Routine becomes your life. Officers dictate when you eat, shower and go the the recreation yard. There are times when you will be bored sitting in a cell. Other times are more regimented. But remember, this is just a roleplay experience, but it sure feels real.

We will make sure that you stay under control

This is one of two restraint chairs at the jail. These are in nearly all jails and prisons in the United States. This chair is made right here in Iowa. So, we had to have one for the jail. We also have a Prostraint chair.

Restraints are used when appropriate

You will be treated as a high-risk prisoner. Restraints will likely be used on you during much of your incarceration.

The jail has restraints that were used during various times that the jail was in use between 1880 and 1988.

Let us know if you are interested in exploring the various restraints that are and were used in jail settings as we have a rather large collection of historical and modern prison restraints. These not only include handcuffs and leg irons, but also soft medical restraints that used to be used, including historical canvas straitjackets, and a padded cell.

(Note that only authentic gear that would be used in a jail or prison are used. This is not intended as a place of "adult entertainment" that is not permitted on this property.)

You could end up on a chain gang

Some guests have been interested in seeing what it would be like to be on an old-style chain gang as seen in some of the old prison movies. Let us know if you are interested in this as it is only done for those who choose this scenario. If you do choose to do this, expect to get hot, dirty, and sweaty. You should be in fairly good physical health if you want to try doing a prison chain gang. Just ask.

Additional Information

How to get invited to come

Inmate guests are selected based on the applications that they send. We review each application carefully. A link to the application is located at the bottom of this page. To participate, guests should be in fairly good health both physically and mentally. Keeping the roleplay safe for all who attend is important. We screen the applicants in an attempt to make sure that that we don't have anyone who might be inappropriate, dangerous, or not mentally grounded in reality. We accept people of all genders, races, orientations, and religions. We have no problems with diversity. Applicants should read everything on this web page, including the rules of conduct, before sending an application.

Preparing to come

If you are invited to come, you should do the following to prepare for your visit.

1. Get your transportation set up. Once you know an arrival time and date, let us know so that we can prepare for you. If something comes up and you need to cancel or change the time, please let us know as soon as you can.

2. let us know of any special needs relating to food, religious requirements, health needs, time outs needed for work, or any other considerations we might need to deal with. We can be flexible in order to meet your needs but let us know before you come so we can plan for it.

3. A few days before you come, check in by text or email just to confirm that everything is still scheduled as planned.

4. The day you come, send a text message to us when you are about an hour or two out. If there are any delays in travel let us know.

Getting to the Jail

For flying in, there are a few options.

1. The nearest International Airport is Des Moines, Iowa. (DSM) It is a 100 mile drive to Hampton. DSM is serviced by United, American, Delta, Southwest, and Allegiant. There is an airport shuttle service that we recommend. The shuttle service is $120 each way, and accepts cash only. It has to be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. You can also rent a car and drive to the jail. If you are driving, turn north off of Hwy. 3 into the alley behind the jail and Napa Auto Parts.

2. Minneapolis - St. Paul Airport is 165 miles from Hampton. (No shuttle service from there.) Flights into Minneapolis are usually less expensive than into Des Moines, but the travel to get from Minneapolis would likely make your travel end up costing you more.

3. Mason City Airport. This is a municipal airport that is only 35 miles from Hampton. If you fly into Chicago, you can take a flight on United Airlines to Mason City. This is a small commuter jet. The air fare is reasonable because it is government subsidized. But there are only two flights per day, so scheduling can be a challenge. If you fly into Mason City, one of our staff members can pick you up at the airport and take you to the jail and back to the airport later as a free service. You will likely travel to the jail in handcuffs if you choose to have us pick you up in Mason City.

What to bring...and not to bring

Pack light. Separate your medications and things that you will need in the jail into a separate bag so that the intake will go more smoothly. The only thing you will be allowed to have during the jail roleplay is your medications and medical devices such as CPAP devices. You are also allowed to have a book if you want. No other personal items will be allowed unless you let us know of your needs in advance. Your jail inmate uniform, underclothing, bedding, and personal items (toothbrush, soap, towel) are all provided by the facility. Note: Some of the people who come to the jail want to bring their own restraints. This is not permitted. Do not bring them. We only use the approved realistic institutional restraints that belong with the jail. Our staff is trained in their use.

Cell Phones

Guests are permitted to get cell phone time when needed. In order to not interfere with historic role playing, inmate guests are taken out to the intake cell to use thier devices.

Food Service

As part of the jail roleplaying adventure, simple basic meals are provided to inmates by an outside vendor. If you have a special diet (Diabetic, vegetarian, allergies, etc.) let us know in advance of your visit.

Handicap Needs

Because of the age of this historical building, access could be limitted for some guests. The doors (made before 1880) that open into the cells and cell block are only two feet wide. There are low doors, steps, and uneven floors. This may prevent some individuals from full participation in all areas of the facility. We still want to provide as much of an adventure as possible. Let us know your needs.

Costs

We ask all those who roleplay as inmates to contribute $400 per day (24 hour period). All guests who have had their applications accepted and have set a date need to deposit $400 through PayPal to hamptoniowajail@gmail.com in order to hold their space on the calendar. This will also cover the cost of their first day in jail. Please be advised that if you have agreed to a time to come and not paid a deposit, you are not on our calendar unless other arraingements have been made.

General Rules of Role Playing

In this jail roleplay you are pretending to be a jail inmate. You are encouraged to play and make up the background of the character that you are pretending to be. You may choose to resist the person playing the officer. You may choose to be rebellious. You may choose to be compliant. You run the story to a great extent. Don't be afraid to "get into your role". We make it up as we go. The way that the guards treat you, depends a lot on your behavior. If you play a bad inmate who is resisting or being disrespectful to the officer, you will be treated more severely. You may be put in police restraints, strapped to an emergency restraint chair, or even get strapped into a in a straitjacket. We encourage you to play. We play cops and robbers like we did as children. The jail roleplay may develop into a "prisoners versus the guards" scenario. It is okay for you to curse at your guard. It is okay to play the bad guy. We will treat you as one. We understand that it is all just play. Please do not resist us to the point of excess. We do not want to have anyone hurt. Play must be wholesome and not "adult entertainment" in nature.

Do not pretend that you are sick or hurt. If you say that you are sick, we will believe you. If you are having any physical or mental problems, please make sure that you tell us. If you need to pause or stop the role playing, simply tell a staff member to pause or stop the roleplaying. Then we can deal with any problem or issue. Staff members will stop the roleplay and possibly remove a player from the jail if they are playing unsafe, or if the staff member feels that continuing would not be safe mentally or physically for that person.

Throughout the day we tend to jump in and out of the jail roleplaying. You stay locked up as an inmate, but we often end up having some interesting conversations. It is a safe non-judgmental place.

Be aware of the other inmates and the guards who are volunteers in the jail roleplaying. Make things fun for everyone.

Rules of Conduct

1. Role playing must be safe and sane.

2. No illegal activities are allowed.

3. No inappropriate sexual conduct.

4. No fluid transfer of germs like spitting.

5. No overly aggressive physical contact.
6. No illegal substances or Alcohol.
7. No pornographic materials.
8. No smoking. If you need to use tobacco, you can request to be taken outside to the yard.

Application for Jail Role Play

HamptonJail.com

Jail Roleplay