.♪ the cumberland river winds through the western kentucky town of eddyville.ooming around a bend is a virtual fortress. the kentucky state penitentiary, also known as the castle on the cumberland. >> i was really intimidated by this place. it's an intimidating place to walk into. >> this could be the worst place you have ever been in your life. >> the eddyville castle will get you. somebody will take your life from you if you come through here with that old chip on your shoulder, there's going to be somebody to take it off you. >> ksp is kentucky's only maximum security facility. a group of stone masons from italy teamed with inmates from various prisons to construct the castle which opened in 1889. >> when they first built it, they had a sign up over the front door that said, "abandon hope all ye that enter here." they wanted this place to look pretty menacing and it still looks menacing even today. >> i think the penitentiary is unique in many respects, just because of the foreboding appearance that it has. it's a serious place where serious things happen. t