My Trip to Prison (Part 1)

To prevent escapes, this gate is the only way in or out. Inside are 12 acres of cell blocks and rubble.

Once the most famous and expensive and prison in the world, the Eastern State Penitentiary stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbing cell blocks and empty guard towers.


Opened in 1829 as part of a controversial movement to change the behavior of inmates through 'confinement in solitude', the Eastern State Penitentiary was the first of its kind. This was the world's first true 'penitentiary,' a prison designed to insprire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners.

It is estimated that more than 300 prisons worldwide are based on the Penitentiary's wagon-wheel, or "radial" floor plan.

The prison remained in operation for 142 years. It closed in 1971.


For now, enjoy the infectious smile of our tour guide - as she laughs when:

I dropped a bar of soap at her feet and sloooooooowly bent over in front of her.

And when that didn't work, I demanded to be strip-searched for nail files or metal saws which didn't get any takers either.

And finally I just said in a quiet, menacing Clint Eastwood sort of way, "Does your Mother know you hang out at an all-male prison all day?"

She probably blogs about how she hates dealing with the public.


I'll write more about the prison's history and quirks later, which include Chicago's Al Capone eight month stay and the life-time without parole Cat-Murdering Dog...