Penitence

Noun

penitence (uncountable)

1. Condition of being penitent.
2. Feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong or sinning.

It was an idea that overtook the prison systems 

 in the early 19th Century in the United States. 

Prisons should become a place that would inspire penitence,  

thus the name Penitentiary. 

In Philadelphia, 

the Eastern State Penitentiary sits like a medieval castle. 

And in its day, it was a state of the art castle! 

The prisoners here had the luxury of 

running water and central heat long before most Americans did, 

even before the man living in the White House! 

The prisoners also enjoyed

skylights and beautiful architectural details! 

Instead of being placed in group cells, 

a prisoner would now have his own cell 

in which to be alone with his thoughts, 

thus enabling penitence. 



The Barber's Chair

The prison was slated for redevelopment after it closed 

in 1970, but later Mayor Wilson Good intervened. 

Today, the prison is considered a historic site and 

operates as a museum. 

 Tons of photographers are

attracted to the deteriorating cells inside the prison walls. 

You could spend hours here! 
If you go, take a tripod and dress for the weather.
2027 Fairmount Avenue  Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 236-3300

More of my photos from the prison can be seen here.