Son of Sam Prison History in Upstate New York

When you hear "Son of Sam," you probably think of one of the most infamous serial killers in American history. David Berkowitz, the man behind the nickname, killed six people and wounded seven others during his reign of terror. For more than four decades, he's been locked away in various prisons across Upstate New York.

Drawn to the Dark Side of Cinema

I remember the summer of 1999 when some friends talked me into seeing a new movie about a notorious New York serial killer. The cast was stacked: John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, Mira Sorvino, Jennifer Esposito, and Anthony LaPaglia, so I figured, why not?

A Bronx Summer Gripped by Fear

"Summer of Sam" hit theaters in 1999, telling the story of David Berkowitz, better known as the Son of Sam, and how his 1977 murder spree sent shockwaves through a tight-knit Bronx neighborhood.

Spike Lee’s Unsettling Masterpiece

That movie left a mark on me, not just because of the intense performances, but because the shaky camera work literally made me queasy. In my opinion, "Summer of Sam" is one of Spike Lee’s underrated masterpieces. It flopped at the box office, maybe partly because of the style, but I still think it deserved more attention.

The Demon Dog and a City’s Nightmare

In case you’ve forgotten the details, Berkowitz was also called the "Son of Sam" and the ".44 Caliber Killer." When the police finally caught him, he famously claimed he was following orders from a demon that took the form of his neighbor’s dog.

Justice Served, Truths Revealed

Berkowitz went to trial and was found guilty. He got six life sentences, with a chance for parole after 25 years. Later, he admitted the whole demon-dog story was just an act, his insanity defense was a lie.

From Prison to Prison: Berkowitz’s Journey

Following his sentencing, Berkowitz bounced around several prisons in New York. He started out at Clinton Correctional Facility near the Canadian border, then went to the Central New York Psychiatric Center outside Utica. After a brief stay, he landed in the infamous Attica Correctional Facility near Buffalo, where he spent ten years. He later moved to Sullivan Correctional Facility near Bethel, and today, he’s at Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Wallkill, Ulster County.

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From "Son of Sam" to "Son of Hope"?

These days, Berkowitz says he’s found religion. He now calls himself the "Son of Hope" instead of the "Son of Sam." Still, parole has never been granted; he’s been turned down 12 times, most recently in 2024.

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