Ossining Village Tutors

About Ossining Village

Ossining Village lies within the town of Ossining, New York. Ossining Village is probably most known as the home of the Sing Sing Correctional Facility; although in 1901, the town changed its name from Sing Sing to Ossining Village to avoid the association. The Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison, established in 1825. Sing Sing was the fifth prison built in New York State, and was designed to be the first “modern,” prison. It was built to replace the Newgate Prison, the first prison ever built in New York State. Newgate was located north of New York City, off of the Hudson River; thus the term “being sent up river,” originally meant being sentenced to Newgate. Sing Sing eventually took over the idiom, and now receives most of the credit for its origin. Sing Sing was named after the Sinck Sinck Native American Nation, that originally owned the land where the prison is located. Sinck Sinck also translates to, “stone upon stone,” an appropriate name for a prison.

With such a long history, it’s no question that Sing Sing has seen its share of escape attempts. Located right along railroad tracks, and close to the Hudson River, there is no doubt that many prisoners have imagined the perfect escape. A few lucky prisoners have successfully escaped the prison, and many more have tired. In 1872, an incarcerated married couple took advantage of a horse carriage that frequently visited the prison. The husband was able to successfully hide inside the carriage and ride all the way to freedom; fifteen days later his wife followed. After nearly fifty years, the wife wrote the Warden of Sing Sing, letting him know that she was doing well, living her life of freedom in Detroit, Michigan. She also included a check for $500. In 1875, five escapees hijacked a freight train as it passed by the prison. After taking over control of the train, they nearly ran it off the tracks and into the river. They quickly abandoned the train, and tried to escape on foot. Four of the men were quickly found and captured; but the fifth prisoner escaped all the way to England; where he opened up a pub. Perhaps the most interesting escape attempt was made in 1930; when a prisoner named Jack Levy found out that a mattress was going to be thrown away. Levy sewed himself inside of the mattress, and would have successfully escaped, had a prison keeper not noticed a mysterious lump. Sing Sing officials have a good track record of recapturing escaped convicts, and often do so within a matter of hours. I’m sure that those inside would love to be tutored in how to escape without being caught, by those who have successfully made it to freedom.

Ossining Village tutors want to see every student recapture their love of learning. If your student is struggling in school, an Ossining Village tutor may be able to help. Every student deserves the chance to succeed.