Eastern State Penitentiary Video Notes

Background and Historical Context

  • Founding and Operation
    • Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) was operated by Pennsylvania from 1829 until its abandonment in 1971.
    • By the time of closure, prisons had become the standard American response to crime.
    • In the first decades of the 19th century, prisons were experimental; Eastern’s system of separate confinement was controversial and costly.

Early Punishment Systems

  • Colonial Views on Crime

    • Crime was perceived as a sin tied to man's Fallen nature.
    • Punishments included fines and public humiliation (stocks, pillories), flogging, branding, and in severe cases, execution by hanging.
    • Local jails functioned mainly as holding areas, not punishment.
    • Inmates were mixed (age, gender, offense).

  • Enlightenment Influence

    • The Enlightenment challenged views of human nature, proposing that crime stemmed from state power abuse rather than innate sin.
    • Cesare Beccaria: Advocated for rational and humane criminal codes.
    • American civic leaders in the 1790s aimed for legislative reforms reflecting these Enlightenment ideas.
    • By 1787, the Pennsylvania Prison Society promoted humane treatment and prison reform inspired by John Howard's writings.

Reform Movements and Development of Prisons

  • Major Changes in Punishment

    • Many states eliminated the death penalty for all but the most serious offenses.
    • New regulations distinguished between debtors and felons and allowed for solitary imprisonment for serious offenses.
    • Early prisons became overcrowded, leading to efficiency concerns.

  • Social Concerns

    • Population growth (tripling between 1790-1830) instigated fears of disorder among lower classes.
    • Leaders worried about crime affecting societal stability.
    • Suggestions were made to use rational principles in the management of penitentiaries and other institutions.

Competing Prison Models in the 19th Century

  • New York’s Silent System vs. Pennsylvania’s Separate System

    • New York's Auburn Prison established the silent system where inmates worked and communicated silently under brutal discipline.
    • In contrast, Pennsylvania’s separate system aimed for reformation through isolation and labor promoting reflection.

  • Construction of Eastern State Penitentiary

    • Funded in 1821, the design emphasized Quaker ideals about isolation leading to redemption.
    • Cells accommodated both prisoners and work tools with essential amenities like water and heating, aiming to prevent jail fever.
    • Architectural designs sought to create an imposing presence encouraging fear of confinement.

Living Conditions at Eastern State Penitentiary

  • Cell Design and Philosophy

    • Cells were initially planned to be solitary; later adaptations included doors for efficiency.
    • An imposing stone wall and gothic design centralized the concept of isolation.
    • Regulations limited contact with outsiders and enforced silence; inmates could only benefit from limited outdoor exercise.

  • Occupational Training and Punishments

    • Inmates engaged in trades like shoemaking or weaving to provide skills.
    • Many faced harsh and ineffective punishments, including an iron gag for noise complaints.

  • Criticism and Failures

    • Investigations in the 1830s exposed abuse and inadequate management practices.
    • Charles Dickens criticized the solitary confinement experiences, likening them to being "buried alive."
    • By the 1840s, with the rise of industrialization, the separate system became impractical as labor markets for handmade goods collapsed.

The Shift to Reformatory Systems

  • Emerging Ideas and Adaptation

    • Irish System: Inspired administrators to create more progressive rehabilitation programs.
    • Eastern initiated educational programs in the mid-1850s and liberalized visiting policies.

  • Prisoner Experiences in the Early 20th Century

    • The prison saw an increase in violent unrest as populations grew and facilities deteriorated.
    • By the 1920s, management trials included self-governing structures but resulted in increased chaos and violence among inmates.
    • Warden’s heavy-handed strategies angered prisoners and incited further disturbances.

Later Development and Decline

  • Changing Demographics and Overcrowding

    • By the late 1940s, over half of Eastern's inmate population were black, showing significant racial disparities in incarceration patterns.
    • Overcrowding resulted in drastic measures, impacting the efficacy of rehabilitation programs.

  • Final Years and Closure

    • Despite ongoing calls for closure from officials, Eastern remained operational until 1970, when it was repurposed before eventually closing.
    • Its legacy illustrates failures in achieving humanitarian reform ideals, as the prison system expanded without achieving intended rehabilitation outcomes.

Contemporary Implications

  • Enduring Issues in Incarceration

    • The overall prison population increased dramatically from 200,000 in 1970 to nearly 1.2 million by 1997.
    • The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates globally; racial disparities remain stark, with black Americans facing much higher rates than whites.
    • Current discussions reflect on the inefficiencies of prisons to deter crime or reform prisoners, echoing views from earlier critiques of the system.

  • Final Reflections on Pennsylvanian Experimentations

    • As the failings of Eastern mirror those of modern prisons, optimism initially present has largely faded in the face of persistent challenges, raising questions about the future direction of penal reform in the United States.