Haunted Places
EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY
A BRIEF HISTORY
In the 1770s, an, Englishman, John Howard became aware of and was scandalized by the abusive and degrading
conditions in his country's jails and prisons. Between 1773 and 1790, he visited various penal institutions in
England and Europe and wrote careful accounts of their construction and administration that were widely read and
influential. He called for, among other things, the separation of all inmates at night;
and, during the day, the separation of men from women and serious felons from petty criminals; the introduction of
sick wards and infirmaries; the prohibition of alcohol; and the institution of rules governing cleanliness and
conduct. His work was a direct influence on the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons
which was formed in 1787. The Society petitioned the legislature for changes in laws and changes in treatment of
offenders that eventually led to the first penitentiary at Walnut Street Jail, Philadelphia. The ideas inspiring
humanitarian reforms were in accord with Quaker theology, which held that "the light of God" resided within
everyone. Many Quakers were influential in the reform movement; almost half of the Society members were
Friends. 2
Eastern State Penitentiary embodied Quaker ideas about the nature of man and the redemptive powers of solitary
reflection and penitence. Members of non-conformist sects had long opposed capital punishment and had, since
the colonial era, championed imprisonment as an alternative. In 1821, after many years of lobbying from the
Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons, founded by Dr. Benjamin Rush, the Pennsylvania
Legislature approved funding to build Eastern State Penitentiary. The new prison was approved to confine
two-hundred fifty inmates and with a cost $780,000. 3
The philosophy guiding the intent of Eastern State Penitentiary presented many challenges for the architects.
Unlike earlier, unsuccessful attempts at maintaining solitary confinement, the building design would have to
prevent communication between inmates in order to prevent the transmission of moral contagion. Unlike Auburn,
the cells would have to accommodate both the prisoner and provisions for his or her work equipment. Since the
prisoners were to remain in their cells for the whole of their terms, each cell had to be equipped with water,
rudimentary plumbing, and heat. Prevailing theory held that prisons needed adequate ventilation to prevent "gaol
fever," which had plagued earlier institutions. And the planners wanted an imposing building that would inspire fear
and respect among the citizenry. Upon completion, Eastern State Penitentiary was the largest building in America
and possibly the most expensive
A BRIEF HISTORY
In the 1770s, an, Englishman, John Howard became aware of and was scandalized by the abusive and degrading
conditions in his country's jails and prisons. Between 1773 and 1790, he visited various penal institutions in
England and Europe and wrote careful accounts of their construction and administration that were widely read and
influential. He called for, among other things, the separation of all inmates at night;
and, during the day, the separation of men from women and serious felons from petty criminals; the introduction of
sick wards and infirmaries; the prohibition of alcohol; and the institution of rules governing cleanliness and
conduct. His work was a direct influence on the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons
which was formed in 1787. The Society petitioned the legislature for changes in laws and changes in treatment of
offenders that eventually led to the first penitentiary at Walnut Street Jail, Philadelphia. The ideas inspiring
humanitarian reforms were in accord with Quaker theology, which held that "the light of God" resided within
everyone. Many Quakers were influential in the reform movement; almost half of the Society members were
Friends. 2
Eastern State Penitentiary embodied Quaker ideas about the nature of man and the redemptive powers of solitary
reflection and penitence. Members of non-conformist sects had long opposed capital punishment and had, since
the colonial era, championed imprisonment as an alternative. In 1821, after many years of lobbying from the
Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons, founded by Dr. Benjamin Rush, the Pennsylvania
Legislature approved funding to build Eastern State Penitentiary. The new prison was approved to confine
two-hundred fifty inmates and with a cost $780,000. 3
The philosophy guiding the intent of Eastern State Penitentiary presented many challenges for the architects.
Unlike earlier, unsuccessful attempts at maintaining solitary confinement, the building design would have to
prevent communication between inmates in order to prevent the transmission of moral contagion. Unlike Auburn,
the cells would have to accommodate both the prisoner and provisions for his or her work equipment. Since the
prisoners were to remain in their cells for the whole of their terms, each cell had to be equipped with water,
rudimentary plumbing, and heat. Prevailing theory held that prisons needed adequate ventilation to prevent "gaol
fever," which had plagued earlier institutions. And the planners wanted an imposing building that would inspire fear
and respect among the citizenry. Upon completion, Eastern State Penitentiary was the largest building in America
and possibly the most expensive
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