In the second half of the 19th century, modernity arrives in the city of Guadalajara(Mexico) through the ideals of the Reforma and its personages, Ignacio Vallarta as well as thecolonies of foreigners and their influence, the new penitentiary, photography and particularlyphotography of prisoners. In a conservative society the men in "white trousers" (Indians) areconsidered the most conflictive. The "Penitentiary of Escobedo" (Penitenciaria "AntonioEscobedo"), a long time awaited project of the 19th century "Tapatía" elite thatrepresented the materialization of an obsessive civil right against those who commit robbery(based in a Anglo-Saxon model) or participated in a crime or social disorder. Since then thephotography of the prisoners became a "modern" control instrument, and element ofdifferentiation and stigmata available to the state authorities of Jalisco.