Eastern State Penitentiary, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was open from 1829-1971. The prison was among some of the first in America to enact the Pennsylvania system, a penal method that emphasized the idea that solitary confinement leads to reformation. Eastern State Penitentiary is known for its grand architecture and cutting-edge layout. The prison was designed by John Haviland, one of the most remarkable architects of the nineteenth century. Haviland visualized a penitentiary set up like the center and spokes of a wheel. There are seven cellblocks branching out from the central point, allowing for easy supervision of the inmates and maximum security.
Over time, Eastern State Penitentiary became an example for other prisons, with its influence spreading throughout the world. Despite this, the stark truths of solitary confinement led to intensifying pressure for reform. By the end of the 1800s, the prison turned away from its strict isolation rules. The institution of the congregate system, a system where the inmates were permitted to be alongside each other during the day while still being isolated at night, was a huge change in the prison’s reformation policies.
Some of the prison’s most notable prisoners were Al “Scarface” Capone, Victor “Babe” Andreoli, Leo Callahan, and Freda Frost. Al Capone was a famous mob boss who spent eight months at Eastern State after being arrested for carrying an unlicensed 38 caliber revolver outside of a movie theater. His cell was furnished nicely, displaying his luxurious stay at the prison because of his status. Victor Andreoli was arrested for first degree murder. He escaped in a delivery truck leaving the prison, but was caught several weeks later. Leo Callahan was one of four prisoners who successfully escaped the penitentiary. Leo and five other prisoners made a wooden ladder that they used to escape over the east wall. He was the only out of the five to not be caught. Freda Frost served time at Eastern State because she poisoned her husband, but was eventually transferred to Muncy Industrial Home for Women.
The Eastern State Penitentiary closed in 1971 for several reasons. The prison became extremely overcrowded which led to worsened conditions and a shortage of resources. Philosophy surrounding correctional methods was changing, and people began to look down upon the techniques used at Eastern State. Despite its closing in the early 1970s, it was opened as a museum and historic site in 1994. Hundreds of thousands of people travel yearly to learn about the building’s past. It also attracts many paranormal enthusiasts due to its reputation as one of the most haunted places in the world. It is an architectural phenomenon with rich history that appeals to people of all ages and interests, making it a sight to see.
