A Look Back: A Brief History and some photographs from our Eastern State Penitentiary investigation conducted in December 2011. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Eastern State Penitentiary is considered to be the worlds first true penitentiary. It was designed by architect, John Haviland with a unique central hub and wheel spoke layout. The prison opened its doors on October 25th, 1829. Eastern State was known for its revolutionary system of correction known as the Separate System. This system required the separate confinement of each prisoner. Prisoners were housed in cells and entered their cells through two doors, first a heavy metal door followed by a wooden door to keep the prisoner in total silence. Outside each cell was a small individual area for exercise. When a prisoner left his cell an accompanying guard would place a hood over the head of the prisoner so that no communication or recognition could happen between prisoners. This system of solitary confinement eventually was abandoned in 1913 due to overcrowding. During its operation it housed such notorious criminals as bank robber Willie Sutton and gangster Al Capone. Although there were many murders during its time of operation no one was ever executed at Eastern State Penitentiary. The prison officially closed its doors in 1971. The photographs: Photo one -Eastern State Penitentiary Photo two -The entrance was to the prison Photo three -An open door way to one of the cells Photo four -This photo take in rapid succession of the open door contains an unexplainable mist. Photo Five -Taken with a thermal image camera shows a shadow figure between an open door way and a wall. The shadow figure is free standing and colder than the surrounding area. Photo six -The stairway to one of the cell block tiers. Photo seven-Cell Block Four Photo eight -A cell. Photo nine -The high vaulted ceilings. Photo ten -Another cell area with a long narrow window. Photo eleven -Al Capones Cell. Photo twelve -Eastern State Penitentiary ~ VPI
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:00:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015