Many year ago, hubby and I visited the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. The prison started out as a great idea for the Quakers assumed people were inherently good. Therefore, the penitentiary was built so that those incarcerated would have time to reflect on the bad things they did and return to good behavior. Each inmate had a private cell. The only book with each prisoner was a Bible. They did not talk to anyone. They each had a private yard to walk in for exercise.
It was, in truth, solitary confinement. Evidently, a lot of inmates went crazy and the system changed.
Al Capone stayed there briefly. He had a rather nicely appointed cell--with a radio, lamp, rug, armchair, and desk.
We were told that the prison holds reunions every year.
The audio tour is great and part of the price of admission. It is an interesting place to see. I hear they have some awesome Halloween tours. :^)
2 comments:
Kind of strange, the nice furnitue contrast witht he rotting walls. Very Halloween-ish!
Mark:
We visited in the daytime. I would not want to be there at night. :-)
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