When asked his favorite part of giving Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) tours, Gary Jobe said it's meeting the people.
"It's very interesting talking to them and finding out about their background," he said. "You meet all types of people from all over the country and the world. I love history and a lot of other people are interested in it too, so I find that very rewarding."
The 75-year-old Missouri State Penitentiary tour guide has been giving tours since 2010 after he retired from the Department of Tourism in 2008. Some days, he gives as many as four tours in a day.
"I thought it'd be something interesting to do, especially since I had all this experience," he said.
Prior to giving tours, Jobe worked inside the prison when it was still operational for 18 years of his 32½-year career. He started his career in 1975 and spent much of his time as a case worker counselor, as well as other positions in the guard force and as an inmate job coordinator. After his day shift, Jobe also spent his evenings teaching in the GED program to help inmates complete their high school education.
Jobe said he originally became involved with MSP while looking for jobs to fund his college degree. After graduation, he came back to work full-time.
"I didn't have any intention of staying here," he said. "But I guess it intrigued me. One thing I liked about the job is that it was never the same. Every day was different, and no two days were alike. You were constantly doing different things, and there was some excitement. For some reason, that all appealed to me."
Jobe said there could be scary moments on the job, but the opportunity to help inmates appealed to him.
"There were a lot of times where you could actually work with inmates and see them turn their life around," he said. "So, it could be very rewarding."
Jobe said Housing Unit 4 A-Hall is his favorite section of the prison to show tourists. The oldest standing building on the MSP campus, it was built in 1868 and was fully functional until the prison closed in 2004.
"I think history's very important," he said. "I think it's extremely important that we stay up on history and save it. Although there's a lot that's been lost through the years, there's such a massive amount of history that went through this prison."
Jobe said he still enjoys giving tours and sharing his passion for history with others. He's also enjoyed connecting with former colleagues from his time working at the prison.
And although he's been giving tours for 14 years, he has no current plans to slow down.
"I think it's very important to stay active in retirement, which I've tried to do," he said. "If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be doing it."
Gary Jobe sits near the control room at the Missouri State Penitentiary on May 18, 2023. Jobe has been a history tour guide for the prison for fourteen years, following a career working at the penitentiary while it was still operational. 
Gary Jobe discusses the history of the oldest cell at the Missouri State Penitentiary on May 18, 2023. Jobe has been a history tour guide for the prison for fourteen years, following a career working at the penitentiary while it was still operational.
Gary Jobe holds the keys to Housing Unit 4 A-Hall at the Missouri State Penitentiary on May 18, 2023. Jobe has been a history tour guide for the prison for fourteen years, following a career working at the penitentiary while it was still operational.
Gary Jobe shows a former inmate's fish tank in a cell at the Missouri State Penitentiary on May 18, 2023. Jobe has been a history tour guide for the prison for fourteen years, following a career working at the penitentiary while it was still operational.
Gary Jobe shuts the gate to Housing Unit 4 A-Hall at the Missouri State Penitentiary on May 18, 2023. Housing Unit 4 is the oldest housing hall in the prison, opening in 1868 and remaining full functional until the prison closed in 2004.
Gary Jobe shuts the gate to Housing Unit 4 A-Hall at the Missouri State Penitentiary on May 18, 2023. Housing Unit 4 is the oldest housing hall in the prison, opening in 1868 and remaining full functional until the prison closed in 2004.