About The First Penitentiary In America
Today, it operates as a museum and historic site, offering guided tours
Eastern State Penitentiary was the first penitentiary in America. It was designed by British architect John Haviland and opened in 1829. When first opened as one of the world's first penitentiaries, it was intended to revolutionize the prison system. The design was based on the principles of the Pennsylvania System, which aimed for solitary confinement and reflection to encourage prisoners' penitence and reform.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections defines it as the first true penitentiary. The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation describes it as the world's first true penitentiary. University Of Pennsylvania recognizes it as the world’s first true penitentiary. The World Record Academy declares it as the world's first true penitentiary.
During its operation, Eastern State Penitentiary housed some notable inmates, including Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Capone served time there in 1929-1930 for carrying a concealed weapon, while Sutton was a prolific bank robber who escaped from Eastern State twice.
The Pennsylvania System employed solitary confinement as a means of rehabilitation. Each inmate had their own cell, complete with plumbing and a skylight to provide light. Inmates were kept isolated from others, with the belief that solitude would lead to penitence and reform.
Over time, criticisms of the Pennsylvania System grew, with concerns raised about its impact on prisoners' mental health and its high cost of operation. Eastern State Penitentiary ceased operations as a prison in 1971, due to its outdated facilities and the changing attitudes towards incarceration. After its closure, the Philadelphia Streets Department used the penitentiary grounds for storage until the mid 1980s.
During its closure, Eastern State Penitentiary fell into disrepair. However, efforts to preserve its historic significance began in the 1980s. Eastern State Penitentiary remains an important landmark, shedding light on the evolution of the prison system and raising questions about the treatment of prisoners and the effectiveness of solitary confinement as a means of rehabilitation.
Eastern State has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and video games, such as "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "The Dark Knight Rises," cementing its place in popular culture. Its haunting, ruinous state, with crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers, has made it a popular site for Halloween festivals, transforming its grounds into a major attraction each fall.
The former penitentiary is known for its extremely haunted reputation and hosts special events, especially around Halloween season, offering ghost tours and other spooky attractions. In fact, it is cited by many experts, including the National Archives Foundation, as the most haunted place in all of America.
Its architecture, featuring towering walls and intricate stonework, along with its controversial history make it a significant cultural and educational site in the historic city Philadelphia. The design is still considered groundbreaking.
It was designed in the architectural style known as "Castellated Gothic," with imposing walls and towers resembling a fortress. The radial layout of cell blocks emanating from a central surveillance hub was innovative for its time and became a model for future prison design.
The visitor experience is comprehensive, with admission including access to historic cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, Al Capone's cell, and Death Row. The "Voices of Eastern State" audio tour, narrated by actor Steve Buscemi and featuring voices of former prisoners and correctional staff, guides visitors through the complex, offering insights into its history.
Additional offerings include guide-led tours, mini tours, critically acclaimed art installations, and award-winning exhibits, all aimed at interpreting the legacy of American criminal justice reform from the nation's founding to the present day.