10 Times Infamous Criminals Served Time Together in the Same Prison

Edmund Kemper & Herbert Mullin

California Medical Facility, U.S.A.

It isn’t exactly uncommon for certain dangerous criminals to cross paths while incarcerated at the same prison. Edmund Kemper gained nationwide infamy in the United States as “The Co-Ed Killer,” while the slayings committed by Herbert Mullin were performed, by the killer’s own admission, to apparently prevent California earthquakes. These two met while incarcerated at California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California, where Kemper was serving concurrent life sentences against Mullin’s life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. The former reportedly pushed around his smaller counterpart, utilizing what he referred to as a type of behavioral treatment to curb Mullin’s habitual chattiness and penchant for singing.

Ian Brady & Graham Young

HMP Parkhurst & Park Lane Hospital, U.K.

This pairing of killers spent time together at not one, but two facilities over the years. Ian Brady, who was responsible for the Moors child killings between 1963 and ‘65, and Graham Young, a.k.a. The Teacup Poisoner. HMP Parkhurst Prison and Park Lane Hospital (later named Ashworth Hospital) would house Brady and Young, who would occasionally play each other in chess. The history of Nazism also reportedly served as subjects of the pair’s conversations during their time together, while Brady was quoted as being fascinated by Young’s methodology and modus operandi during his decade-long spree between 1961 and ‘71.

Jean-Paul Gerbet & Karla Homolka

Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines Penitentiary, Québec

Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were known as “The Ken and Barbie Killers,” a moniker that referred to the couple’s smiling, healthy good looks; appearances which disguised their brutal crimes. Homolka was released from prison back in 2005, in exchange for testimony that helped convict her husband of first-degree murder and two cases of aggravated sexual assault. Yet, it was during Homolka’s time at Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines Penitentiary, Québec where she met fellow killer Jean-Paul Gerbet. The pair struck up a relationship while the latter was volunteering in the prison library, one that made headlines during parole hearings for both individuals.

David Berkowitz & Gary Evans

Sing Sing Correctional Facility & Clinton Correctional Facility, U.S.A.

The Son of Sam, David Berkowitz, may retain a more infamous reputation than the Capital District serial killer, Gary Evans, but that didn’t seem to influence the pair’s friendship. Berkowitz and Evans first met while serving time in the maximum security Sing Sing Prison, where they lifted weights in the yard and exchanged letters while isolated in solitary confinement. Some reports also claim that Evans and Berkowitz continued their cordial relationship after a move to the Clinton Correctional Facility, while others claim that Evans eventually distanced himself from the “berserk” 44 Caliber Killer. Gary Evans would eventually perish during a botched escape attempt in 1998, after jumping into the Hudson River.

Charles Manson & Edmund Kemper

California Medical Facility, U.S.A.

Charles Manson’s death made headlines back in 2017, while the aforementioned Edmund Kemper is still incarcerated at the time of this writing. The crimes of both still exist among the United States’ most chilling criminal cases, yet it’s unclear how much was discussed of their respective legacies during their time spent together at California Medical Facility. Kemper’s reputation as an intelligent and eloquent “model prisoner” was juxtaposed against Manson’s notorious difficulty behind bars and penchant for buzzworthy, chaotic quotes. The Co-Ed Killer has spoken about this close proximity to Manson over the years, but the word “friendship” probably shouldn’t be the one used to describe their relationship.

Ted Bundy, Gerald Stano & Ottis Toole

Florida State Prison, U.S.A.

Florida State Prison is another facility that’s housed some of history’s worst criminals over the years. Despicable creatures such as murderer Ottis Toole, serial killer Gerald Stano and the infamous Ted Bundy. All three came into contact with each during their time at FSP, which was once known as Raiford Prison. Stano and Bundy had reportedly spent some time together during their incarceration, prior to both of them being executed for their times. Toole, meanwhile, was allegedly jailed in a cell close to Bundy, although it’s less clear how much, if any, contact they had during this time.

Rodney Alcala & Richard Ramirez

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, U.S.A.

The Dating Game Killer, Rodney Alcala and The Night Stalker, Richard Ramirez, didn’t serve the lion’s share of their prison sentences. Alcala was primarily confined to the California State Prison in Corcoran, yet he also spent brief periods of time at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. It was here where Ramirez was being held on death row, and where the pair eventually served at the same time. Both died on death row, and in hospitals, with The Night Stalker perishing from complications secondary to B-cell lymphoma at Marin General Hospital, and Rodney Alcala suffering a heart attack in Kings County in 2021.

Robert Stroud & George “Machine Gun” Kelly

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, U.S.A

They were two of the criminal world’s most well-known nicknames: Robert Stroud, also known as “The Birdman of Alcatraz” and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. The pair served at the Federal Correctional Institute at Leavenworth, before their paths eventually crossed on Alcatraz Island. It was here where Stroud and Kelly first came into contact with one another, with the former having already earned his “Birdman” moniker prior to being moved to “The Rock.” Kelly, meanwhile, was seen as a braggart by many of his peers as Alcatraz, earning the new nickname of “Pop Gun Kelly” on account of prison perception of his boastfulness.

William Bonin, Lawrence Bittaker, Randy Kraft & Douglas Clark

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, U.S.A.

We’ve already mentioned San Quentin’s Death Row, a place that basically speaks for itself with regards to the kinds of individuals housed within its walls. Heavy-duty criminal names such as William Bonin, Lawrence Bittaker, Randy Kraft and Douglas Clark, all of whom spent time together while serving their sentences at San Quentin. They reportedly played cards together, passing the time and partnering up in duos against each other on a regular basis. Two out of the four remain at the time of this writing, with Kraft and Clark continuing to serve their time. Bittaker died at San Quentin in 2019, while William Bonin was executed via lethal injection in 1996.

Timothy McVeigh, Ted Kaczynski & Ramzi Yousef

United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility, a.k.a. ADX Florence

They were housed at Unit D of United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility, otherwise known as ADX Florence. A place that was eventually referred to as “Bomber’s Row,” thanks to a trio of infamously explosive terrorists: Timothy McVeigh, Ted Kaczynski and Ramzi Yousef. They worked out together and spoke often, exchanging letters and discussing their cruel and vicious criminal histories. Ramzi Yousef continues serving time for his role in orchestrating the 1993 World Trade Center bombings. Timothy McVeigh was executed via lethal injection 2001. “The Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski committed an act of self-destruction in his cell on June 10th, 2023.

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