Keeper of the Keys: A Warden's Notebook [Paperback]

Wayne K. Patterson (Author), Betty L. Alt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003

Recounts the memories of the men and women Wayne K. Patterson knew and worked with during the 40 years he served in the Colorado Correction system. Supplementing the stories are pictures of prison breaks, execution orders, prison life along with politicians and other men and women that the remarkable Warden Patterson lived and worked with. The book is an easy read full of amusing, sad and sometimes dangerous stories of the Warden's experience. Readers enjoy it because it can be read all in one setting or story by story.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Betty Alt, who co-authored Keeper of the Keys with Wayne Patterson, worked three years to compile, complete and edit Patterson's stories as he dictated them from his carefully kept notes. His working visits were twice a month, and the authors struggled to get the tone of each segment "just right." Long discussions took place over which photos to use as Patterson's files included hundreds of historically interesting articles and one-of-a-kind photos. Patterson, in his mid '80s when the book was in progress, repeatedly assured his co-author, "Miss Betty," that he would live until the book was done. Indeed, he did live until the book was completed and made two public appearances at local signings. Sadly, Warden Patterson closed the final pages of his notebook on October 25, 2003.

About the Author

Wayne K. Patterson served more than 40 years in the Colorado Correctional System. He was warden of both the original penal institutions in the sate, at Buena Vista and Canon City. He was Executive Director of the first Department of Parole in Colorado, was later Chairman of the Parole Board and Director of Corrections for the City and County of Denver. Patterson has held national offices in professional associations and is a past Vice President of the American Association of Wardens and Superintendents and of the West Central Warden' Association. Betty L. Alt is the co-author of six other books, including Uncle Sam's Brides; Campfollowing: A History of the Military Wife; Weeping Violins: The Gypsy Tragedy in Europe; Slaughter in Cell House 3 (with Patterson); Wicked Women; and Black Soldiers/White Wars. She has a B.A. in sociology from Colorado College, an M. A. degree in history from Truman State University in Northeast Missouri and is currently a lecturer in sociology at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: My Friend The Printer (August 1, 2003)
• ISBN-10: 0971584753
• ISBN-13: 978-0971584754
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,485,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeper of the Keys, February 4, 2005

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Jon W. Murrie - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keeper of the Keys: A Warden's Notebook (Paperback)

All of the stories are very interesting and give a great deal of insight into the lives of prisoners in the 1950s and 1960s. I found the anecdote about the Warden's mother fascinating. Having a mother who was adamantly against the death penalty and then having to be the one to enforce it must have been very stressful. Good read. Five stars.