Eastern State Penitentiary History

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Download our mobile app to listen on the go

Get App

Questions and Answers

What was the primary philosophy behind the design of Eastern State Penitentiary when it first opened?

To foster spiritual reformation through complete isolation and work. (correct)
To inflict harsh physical punishment as a deterrent to future crime.
To provide a communal environment where inmates could learn trades from each other.
To implement a system of congregate labor during the day and solitary confinement at night.

Which of the following best describes a key difference between the Auburn and Pennsylvania prison systems?

Auburn prioritized rehabilitation through education, while Pennsylvania focused on strict punishment.
Auburn utilized congregate discipline with enforced silence, while Pennsylvania employed a separate system. (correct)
Auburn focused on complete solitary confinement, while Pennsylvania emphasized congregate labor.
Auburn aimed to integrate inmates back into society quickly, while Pennsylvania sought long-term isolation.

How did Enlightenment ideals influence the development of imprisonment as a form of punishment?

Enlightenment thinkers rejected the concept of punishment altogether, advocating for social reform instead.
Enlightenment thinkers believed crime was a result of inherent evil and supported life-long incarceration.
Enlightenment thinkers advocated for harsher penalties to deter crime.
Enlightenment thinkers promoted imprisonment as a more rational and humane alternative to corporal punishment and execution. (correct)

Why did the Pennsylvania system, exemplified by Eastern State Penitentiary, eventually become impractical?

The system proved to be too expensive, unproductive and went against the industrial age. (A) Signup and view all the answers

During the operation of Eastern State Penitentiary, what societal factors contributed to anxieties about crime and the need for institutional reform?

Political and economic changes disrupting social order, as well as a growing population of the lower class. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What factors contributed to the shift from the Pennsylvania system to the Auburn system in the United States?

The Auburn system reduced costs via prison labor and private contracts. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant challenge faced by Eastern State Penitentiary that contradicted its original design and philosophy?

Inability to maintain complete isolation, as inmates found ways to communicate and rules were not strictly enforced. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Pennsylvania Prison Society in shaping the early prison system?

Promoting the humane treatment and reform of convicts. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did the introduction of industrialization impact the operations within Eastern State Penitentiary?

It made the separate system impractical as most inmates were sentenced for property crimes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the eventual closure of Eastern State Penitentiary?

It was replaced by a more modern facility due to overcrowding, it's deterioration, and ineffectiveness. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What characterized colonial-era punishments for crimes before the Enlightenment?

Punishments were primarily aimed at deterring the public through fear. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did racial and ethnic tensions manifest themselves within the prison system and society during the period when Eastern State Penitentiary was in operation?

Segregation, urban populations, low wages, and substandard housing in ethnic neighborhoods led to increased crime. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What inspired the changes to American prisons that emphasized rehabilitation and reformation?

The Irish system. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples of abuse occurred with the female inmates at Eastern State Penitentiary?

A female inmate detailed a complaint of sexual assault by a keeper in 1922. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the state of Eastern State Penitentiary before it was abandoned?

Eastern State Penitentiary was deemed 'not fit for human habitation'. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Eastern State Penitentiary

A controversial social experiment using solitary confinement, reflecting evolving views on crime and punishment.

Colonial-era Punishments

Equated crime with sin, using public humiliation, flogging, and even death as deterrents.

Cesare Beccaria

Argued for rational criminal codes, influencing American civic leaders to seek legislative reforms.

Pennsylvania Prison Society

Sought humane treatment and reform for convicts, influencing changes in Philadelphia's Walnut Street Jail.