Philadelphia's Mega Prison | Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary, located in Philadelphia, stands as a haunting monument to the evolution of the American penal system. Established in 1829, it pioneered the revolutionary concept of solitary confinement, aiming for inmate rehabilitation through isolation and reflection. Its imposing Gothic architecture, designed to intimidate and induce penitence, housed notorious criminals like Al Capone. Despite its innovative approach, by the mid-20th century, the penitentiary fell into disrepair, closing its doors in 1971. Since then, its crumbling corridors and empty cells have captivated visitors, becoming a historic site that echoes the eerie legacy of its past, shrouded in tales of both reformative ideals and the harsh realities of incarceration.

IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Dillan Aultimate
Editor - Karolina Szwata
Host - Ryan Socash
Music/Sound Design: Dave Daddario

» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[blandrooker]

First program I've seen on this building that didn't involve night vision gear and ghost hunters 👍

[timbuckjr]

I had the pleasure of helping install the AC unit and duct work for it to help preserve what is left of the murals Lester Smith painted on the walls of the Chaplain's office. My co-worker and I were able to park inside and we would get there an hour early to just roam the halls. It was pretty surreal. I remember having a conversation with the roofers and how they had to take large pieces of sheet metal and make it look like the old soldered tin panels.

[cactaceous]

Lived for 2 years in the Fairmount area of Philly, Pennsylvania Ave, blocks away from Eastern State. Even went to events there and a tour. It’s actually quite cool and the Firehouse restaurant right in front is really good.

[tomtransport]

The prison is right across the street from Batche Elementary School at 22 and Brown Streets. You can see the school in the high long shot at 27:10. It's that gray 3 story building top left. I went to school there 1st to 6th. I was on the safety patrol too. My post was at 22 and Fairmount Ave. My class rooms always faced the wall of the prison. Walked by it 4 times a day for 6 years. 1949-1955. We would play half ball up 22nd street above Fairmount, that's a rubber ball about the size of a tennis ball cut in half. A broomstick was the bat. The pitcher pitched the half ball across 22 street to the batter opposite the prison. Hit the wall was a single, half way up was a double, 3/4 was a triple, If you hit the half ball over the wall it was a home run.😀😀

[aaronschaefer]

I just did that tour last year it takes way longer than a half an hour to go through everything there are 50 plus stops covering almost every aspect of the prison and human life. Steve buscemi is great in it. Maybe if you can press everything Steve buscemi said with no time to walk between all the different stops it would take a half an hour that does not include all the interviews and extra stuff that's in that tour tour. If you're anywhere near Philadelphia I highly recommend going on it!

[GirlieGirl]

I go to Terror Behind The Walls every Halloween! I swear it gets more scary every year, I love it! And when my friend Justin was growing up down the street from the prison, he and his cousin broke in and got stuck inside haha they screamed and screamed until someone who lived on Brown St heard them and called the cops. I encourage anyone who visits Philly to take a tour, it's awesome.

[ashleyfarrow]

My daughter had surgery at Shriners in Philadelphia a few years ago. I could see this building in the distance. Wish we had time to go explore!

[eventiderapture]

I’d love if you covered my favorite museum in Philly; The Mutter Museum. Thomas Mutter was a fascinating individual.

[mrbilky]

One of my employees was sent there in the late sixties early seventy forget what it was for but it is a fascinating story I once boomed over the wall on the back side of the prison when I worked for a large tree contractor it truly does evoke awe If I remember correctly the word penitentiary comes from the word penitence and the hub a spoke design was revolutionary allowing for the guards to see down every cell block from a central location even today when I pass by it is an awe inspiring view

[tardissixteen]

I took a tour of the penitentiary last year, it’s really cool and I highly recommend it

[patrickodonnell]

I grewup in Fairmount and this place was where we played street hockey in the parking area on Brown st. I remember when kids from the neighborhood broke in through the side door on 22nd street it was news throug out the neighborhood.

[hughie]

Fascinating! If I'm ever in Philadelphia, I'll have to pay it a visit!

[anthonydivon]

I grew up across the street from there on Corinthian Avenue in the 70's and 80's. Also my father worked there as a corrections officer from 1967 until it closed in 1971.

[Iswearthatsnotmine]

I just found this channel. I live in Philly and I'm a contractor. I worked there for 6 months doing repairs to the brick and stone work. The whole Fairmount area is pretty cool to visit but I definitely recommend checking out the prison if you ever make your way to the Philly area. Very cool piece of history!!

[Stussmeister]

Very interesting and informative. I've been to this prison twice, though I can't say I had any paranormal encounters, and one of my relatives worked here as a security guard.

[tdsollog]

Halloween at Eastern State is amazing. They do it up!

[peteheyde]

It's eerie red stone walls and towers are visible from I-95 a mile south of the Academy Road exit in Northeast Philadelphia. I've driven past it hundreds of times. From the day I first saw it, it seemed to have a twisted aura about it. And THAT was before I actually researched it and found out some of the history of the place. In any event, this presentation is a very welcome and appreciated chapter in "I'ts History". Thanks, RS, nice work!

[slamjackson]

Never been inside but I’ve walked past it a bunch, it’s certainly a presence, and a striking visual. I think there’s a cool little public garden on the side with chalk and plants and walking paths.

[philipdepalma]

I have been there and took the tour. According to the tour the real reason the prison closed was because the city grew up around it and the possibility of a prison break with the prisoners escaping into city neighborhoods was unacceptable to political leaders. It wasn’t concern for prisoners but the fear or escaping prisoners that closed the prison.
The solitary concept was copying religious hermits without recognizing that this involved a small group of individuals CHOSE to do that to get closer to God or to repent for some act rather than a large group of prisoners FORCED into it by the state. Granted the NY system using violence to keep order in a mass prisoner setting wasn’t much better.

[mindyhiteshue]

I toured the prison about 10 years ago, it was absolutely terrifying. Thank you so much for this documentary, very interesting to learn even more about it.