My visit to the Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a memorable one to say the least. As I approached the entrance, the imposing Gothic-style architecture of the prison stood tall and ominous, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding, even if it was reduced to a museum. My knowledge of the prison already had me on edge, and I could feel the history emanating from its imposing 10-acre presence and its 30-foot worn stone walls.
Once inside, I was struck by the eerie atmosphere of the prison. The cell blocks were dimly lit, and the only sounds were the occasional creaking of the wooden doors and the echoing of footsteps in the corridors. The cells themselves were small, cramped, and devoid of any personal belongings or decorations, giving the impression of complete isolation. The mandated silence must have added to the already suffocating claustrophobic feeling the prisoners felt back when the prison was still operational.
As I walked through the prison, I learned more about the history of Eastern State Penitentiary and the Quaker-inspired philosophy that influenced its design. The prison was built in 1829 and was designed to reform prisoners through solitude and reflection, with the hope that this would encourage them to become better people. Despite this noble intention, the reality of life in Eastern State was harsh. Prisoners spent up to 23 hours a day in their cells, with no contact with other inmates or the outside world. The silence was only broken by the occasional visit from a guard or a chaplain, and prisoners were forced to wear hoods when they were outside their cells to prevent any communication.
One of the most striking features of the prison was the Al Capone cell, Al Capone’s cell in Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most famous cells in the prison. Capone, who was one of the most notorious gangsters of the Prohibition era, was incarcerated in Eastern State from 1929 to 1930 for carrying a concealed, unlicensed revolver. During his stay, he was housed in a cell in the Park Avenue block, which was known as the “Kings Row” due to its exclusive and relatively luxurious nature.
Capone’s cell was furnished with some items that were not standard issue in the prison, including a desk, a radio, a rug, a mirror, a lamp, and an armchair. The cell was also larger than the standard cells, with a floor space of around 350 square feet. These amenities were provided to Capone due to his wealth and influence, as he was able to pay off the prison officials to provide him with better living conditions. Despite the luxurious furnishings, Capone’s cell was still a prison, and he was subjected to the same harsh conditions as other inmates. He was required to wear a prison uniform and was only allowed outside of his cell for an hour each day for exercise. He was also under constant surveillance by prison officials, who suspected that he was still running his criminal empire from inside the prison.
After his release from Eastern State Penitentiary, Capone was transferred to another prison in Atlanta before being released on parole in 1939. He continued to be involved in organized crime until his death in 1947. Today, Capone’s cell in Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most popular attractions in the prison, drawing thousands of visitors each year. It serves as a reminder of the prison’s infamous past and the role that Capone played in it.
Overall, my visit to Eastern State Penitentiary was a haunting and sobering experience that left a lasting impression on me. The prison’s imposing Gothic architecture and eerie atmosphere, combined with the stories of the harsh conditions that prisoners endured, made it clear that this was a place of great suffering and hardship. However, the prison also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of treating prisoners humanely and giving them the opportunity to reform. The philosophy that influenced the prison’s design may have been flawed in practice, but it still represented an attempt to create a more just and equitable system of punishment.