Opened in 1829, Eastern State is considered to be the world's first true penitentiary. Its system of incarceration originated and encouraged solitary confinement as a form of rehabilitation in the hope that it would move the criminal toward spiritual reflection and change. The method was a Quaker-inspired system of isolation from other prisoners, with labor.

The early Quaker-inspired system was strict. To prevent distraction, knowledge of the building, and even mild interaction with guards, inmates were hooded whenever they were outside their cells. Proponents of this system believed that isolating the criminal from his surroundings in such a manner forced them to think of the ugliness of their crimes and as a result would inspire the criminal to become genuinely penitent, hence the term "penitentiary".

By 1913, Eastern State officially abandoned the solitary system and operated as a congregate prison until it closed in 1970. Some its more famous inmates included Al Capone and Willie Sutton. It is now open as a museum.

No significant attempts have been made for renovations or upkeep. The facility is intentionally kept in a state of preserved ruin. Visitors are asked to sign a liability waiver due to some minor safety concerns.

In the middle 1970’s, the empty prison was designated as a National Historic Landmark and was eventually purchased by the city of Philadelphia to be used as a tourist attraction. The Pennsylvania Prison Society of Philadelphia was placed in charge of operating and promoting it as a historic site and they continue to conduct tours of the penitentiary today.

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Eastern State was a modern marvel of the early 19th Century. Seven cell blocks radiate from a central surveillance rotunda. Each prisoner had his or her own private cell, centrally heated, with running water, a flush toilet, and a skylight. This was in an age when the White House, with its new occupant Andrew Jackson, had no running water and was heated with coal-burning stoves.








In each vaulted, skylit cell, the prisoner had only the light from heaven, the word of God (the Bible) and honest work (shoemaking, weaving, and the like) to lead to penitence. The "light from heaven" emanted from a skylight. As the number of prisoners increased, some of the cell blocks needed to have a second story added, which obscured the skylight.



Throughout the prison there are sculptures of cats. These sculptures represent the colony of cats that took up residence in the prison after it was shut down. For 28 years a man by the name of Dan McCloud (Dan the Cat Man) came to the prison three times a week to take care of the 30-40 jailhouse cats. In 1993 the cats were trapped and neutered by the Spayed Club. The population dwindled and several years later Dan turned the cat care over to the staff at Eastern State.





The cell block hallways are very cathedral-like in appearance with 30-foot, barrel vaulted hallways, tall arched windows, and skylights throughout them. The prison's architect descibed it as a forced monastery, a machine for reform.







Probably Eastern's most famous inmate was Al Capone. Here's how an article in the Philadelphia Public Ledger for August 20, 1929, described Capone's cell: "The whole room was suffused in the glow of a desk lamp which stood on a polished desk.... On the once-grim walls of the penal chamber hung tasteful paintings, and the strains of a waltz were being emitted by a powerful cabinet radio receiver of handsome design and fine finish..."

Capone continued to conduct business from prison. He was given a private cell and allowed to make long-distance telephone calls from the warden’s office and to meet with his lawyers, friends, and family, all of whom made frequent trips to Philadelphia.





The exterior is a menacing, medieval facade, built to intimidate.






Eastern State Penitentiary has been the location for films and for many ghost tours. Throughout the web you can find information about different paranormal investigations that have taken place there. No, I did not see any ghosts while I was there....at least none that I know of.





But I'll tell you honestly that this is undoubtedly one of the creepiest places I've ever visited. Would I go back? Probably.

Just a note for any of you who would like to visit for the purpose of taking pictures: they do not allow you to bring tripods in there with you. If you head there on a bright sunny day, you'll have plenty of natural light to work with and bars to lean on for support.

Edit (10/8/2010): Thought I'd stick this here so no one would miss it. Apparently you CAN bring a tripod with you but you will need to pay a fee to use it. You can also check their web site in case there are any changes. Their photographer guidelines may be found here: http://www.easternstate.org/visit/options.php

Gorgeous, nothing less.

Neat shots.

I didn't realize you could tour the place. I've seen documentaries on penetentiary and found it very interesting.

PS: it would be close for me - I live in Lancaster

Great story, awesome pictures!
Thank you so much for taking us with you!

Wow. Amazing write-up and stunning photos. Thank you so much for sharing!

Superb series

Wow, these are amazing! I really love #2 and the gargoyles.

Fantastic work! Thanks for the tour, very interesting!

Thanks so much for looking, folks!

To wholenewlight -- Lancaster is a mere day trip from Philadelphia, perhaps 1.5 hours, that's it.

ESP! I have wanted to go there for ages and... dammit I just realized it's October already, meaning I've just about missed it this year, too.

Beautiful photos, even with all the people in there. I know that it gets kinda squeezy with tourists which (Ive heard) makes it difficult to get a clean shot, but I think it adds a surreal feeling to the desolate surroundings. Do they really disallow tripods? Last time I checked they just charged extra.

Originally Posted by schmooo ESP! I have wanted to go there for ages and... dammit I just realized it's October already, meaning I've just about missed it this year, too. Beautiful photos, even with all the people in there. I know that it gets kinda squeezy with tourists which (Ive heard) makes it difficult to get a clean shot, but I think it adds a surreal feeling to the desolate surroundings. Do they really disallow tripods? Last time I checked they just charged extra.

Thanks.

All I know is that they checked to see if I had one on me when they saw my dSLR. Normally no one goes through that kind of effort unless it's not allowed. I didn't see anyone using one, either. I suppose you can get away with a monopod or one of those gorillapods, though.

How cool is that? I never knew about that. Cool gargoyles too.

i grew up in philly! Great shots!

I'll be out that way next month and this will be one of my stops. Here is the lowdown on tripods from the ESP web site.

April through November
We ask that you honor these policies when photographing at Eastern State Penitentiary:

• Do not block any pathways or exhibits, or leave backpacks or tripods in these areas.
• There is a $10.00 fee, per person for all non-members to bring a tripod, monopod, easel, sketching stool etc. onto the site. This pass is valid for the entire season. There is no fee for handheld cameras. (Groups of 15 or more purchasing tripod passes will receive a discounted rate of $5.00 per person, per pass).
• Visitors purchasing an Equipment Pass are required to sign a form agreeing to abide by our "General Policies for All Photographers" when purchasing a Tripod Pass. No equipment, other than a single tripod, monopod, easel or stool, are permitted during public hours.
• Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site requires the location credit "Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA" in all uses of penitentiary photos in print, on the web, in broadcast, and in any other public medium.
• Eastern State Penitentiary assumes no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to equipment.

December through March
We ask that you honor these policies when photographing at Eastern State Penitentiary:
During the winter months, the penitentiary complex is only accessible by guided tour. Photography is allowed (no tripods), as long as it does not distract or delay the group.

I'll have both my tripod and monopod with me on the trip, not sure which I'll bring to ESP

i live in philly and i didn't know u could tour. i only thought it was open for touring during halloween.

robin

Originally Posted by richtersl

I love this shot, great write-up

The folks who run this place are very friendly, and its a good project. I'm still a member even though I don't live there anymore (well, Jersey, but close enough). I bet you could "rent" the place for some studio type shots if you really wanted to.

Maybe me and Schmoo should get some glamour models up in there the next time I'm stateside.

Originally Posted by Loud Al I love this shot, great write-up

Thanks, Al!

Originally Posted by Justiceiro Maybe me and Schmoo should get some glamour models up in there the next time I'm stateside.

You bet!!! That's worth going back for, I'm sure everyone would agree.

Originally Posted by Justiceiro The folks who run this place are very friendly, and its a good project. I'm still a member even though I don't live there anymore (well, Jersey, but close enough). I bet you could "rent" the place for some studio type shots if you really wanted to. Maybe me and Schmoo should get some glamour models up in there the next time I'm stateside.

You bet!!! That's worth going back for, I'm sure everyone would agree.