Ridiculous History: CLASSIC – That Time Kansas Imprisoned Women For Having STDs

Release Date: March 22, 2025
Hosts: Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown
Producer: iHeartPodcasts
Description: Delving into one of Kansas's darkest and most ridiculous historical policies, this episode explores the imprisonment of women for possessing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during the early 20th century.

Introduction

Ben Bowlin opens the episode by setting a somber tone, acknowledging that while history is often fascinating, it can also be brutally unjust. He introduces the topic: the reprehensible policy in Kansas that led to the mass incarceration of women diagnosed with STDs.

Ben [00:00]: "Sometimes evil things are ridiculous as well. And this episode is about a very ridiculously evil policy in our good state of Kansas."

Historical Context

The hosts provide a backdrop of the 1920s America, a period marked by the aftermath of World War I (1914-1918). Returning soldiers brought not only cultural influences but also diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea, which became a public health crisis.

Noah [07:23]: "Things like syphilis, gonorrhea, things that genuinely posed not only a national health risk, but also a national security risk."

Legislation Details: Chapter 205

In response to the STD outbreak, Kansas enacted Chapter 205 in 1917, granting public health officials extensive powers to quarantine individuals suspected of possessing sexually transmitted diseases. This law disproportionately targeted poor women, reflecting the era's entrenched gender biases and moral policing.

Noah [09:16]: "Anyone suspected of having a sexually transmitted disease... public health officials an insane amount of leeway."

Ben emphasizes the gendered nature of the enforcement, noting that while the law theoretically applied to all genders, in practice, it was predominantly women who were incarcerated.

Ben [09:25]: "STDs transmit across the entirety of the gender spectrum. So this means that if Kansas... they should be locking up everyone who has one, right?"

Impact and Consequences

The implementation of Chapter 205 led to a dramatic increase in the number of incarcerated women. Initially, the Kansas State Industrial Farm, a working farm listed as a prison, housed approximately 17 women. However, following the law's enactment, this number swelled to nearly 400 by the end of 1917 and eventually affected around 5,000 women by 1942.

Noah [21:15]: "How many people did chapter 205 affect? ... around 5,000 women being imprisoned at the farm while the law was on the books between 1917 and 1942. Insane."

These women were often arrested under charges like vagrancy, a tactic that masked the true intent of moral retribution. The conditions were harsh, and the punitive measures were more about social control than public health.

Ben [12:12]: "By the end of that year ... the law stayed on the books and they kept using it to persecute women."

Personal Stories and Research Insights

Researcher Jennifer Moyer from the University of Kansas uncovered stark historical photographs of the incarcerated women. These glass plate negatives provide a poignant glimpse into the personal lives and tragic circumstances of these women, highlighting the human cost of such discriminatory policies.

Noah [20:09]: "I'm looking at this one of a woman... it's very easy to look at these faces and kind of identify and see yourself in them because they really, you know, other than the dress, these are humans."

Moyer’s findings reveal that women were not only victims of the law but also of societal stigma, with many turning themselves in due to the inability to afford safe and effective treatment for their conditions.

Modern Comparisons and Reflections

Ben and Noah draw parallels between the 1920s STD panic and other instances of moral panic in American history, such as the internment of civilians during World War II and the stigma surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s.

Ben [22:37]: "The US does have a history of quarantining, detaining, or interning citizens on its own soil."

They discuss how societal fears often lead to the persecution of vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of learning from past injustices to prevent their recurrence.

Noah [23:55]: "It's a similar situation... it's seen as a potential public health crisis. So, you know, people do stupid stuff when they panic."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reflection on the progress made since the 1920s, noting the abolishment of Chapter 205 and the ongoing efforts to destigmatize STDs. Ben and Noah urge listeners to remain vigilant against moral panics and to advocate for compassionate public health policies.

Noah [25:06]: "We have a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel... we're making progress not just as a society, but as a species today."

They underscore the enduring relevance of historical awareness in shaping a more just and informed future.

Key Statistics

• Imprisonment: Approximately 5,000 women were incarcerated in Kansas under Chapter 205 between 1917 and 1942.
• Public Opinion (AIDS Epidemic): In 1991, 34% of Americans supported quarantining individuals with HIV; by 1997, this dropped to fewer than 17%.
• Current STD Statistics: According to the American Sexual Health Association, 1 in 2 sexually active individuals will contract an STD by age 25, with the CDC estimating around 20 million new STD cases annually in the U.S.

Notable Quotes

• Ben [00:00]: "Sometimes evil things are ridiculous as well. And this episode is about a very ridiculously evil policy in our good state of Kansas."
• Noah [09:16]: "Anyone suspected of having a sexually transmitted disease... public health officials an insane amount of leeway."
• Noah [21:15]: "How many people did chapter 205 affect? ... around 5,000 women being imprisoned at the farm while the law was on the books between 1917 and 1942. Insane."
• Noah [20:09]: "It's very easy to look at these faces and kind of identify and see yourself in them because they really, you know, other than the dress, these are humans."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Ridiculous History shines a light on a largely forgotten dark chapter in Kansas's history, underscoring the importance of vigilance against discriminatory laws and societal fears. Through meticulous research and empathetic storytelling, Ben and Noah educate and engage listeners, ensuring that such injustices are neither repeated nor forgotten.

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