Eastern State Penitentiary

A prison built around isolation

Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 with a plan to reform prisoners through solitude and reflection. People were kept in separate cells, with little opportunity to see or interact with other inmates. The approach was central to the prison’s original purpose, but its effects and strict discipline later became controversial.

Architect John Haviland designed the complex in a hub-and-spoke pattern. Cellblocks radiate from a central watchtower, allowing the building’s layout to organize separate wings around one point. The plan influenced more than 300 prisons around the world. As the prison population grew, new cellblocks were added, and the complex expanded beyond its original design.

The scale of the building was striking when it opened. Its cells had centralized heating, and the site included plumbing and sewage systems. The prison operated until 1971. Today, its worn cellblocks and empty guard towers show the effects of time, while the original layout remains legible as you move through the site.

Following the audio tour

The self-guided audio tour, “The Voices of Eastern State,” is narrated by Steve Buscemi and includes contributions from former wardens, guards and prisoners. It guides you through the prison’s history and spaces, including cellblocks and Al Capone’s cell. That cell was furnished during Capone’s time at the prison with rugs, furniture and a cabinet radio.

You can also take part in daily guide-led tours. The large complex is best explored at a pace that leaves time to look into individual cells and notice the contrast between restored areas and sections left in a deteriorated state. The prison’s long, vaulted corridors and sky-lit cells are among the defining features of the visit.

Exhibits on incarceration and justice

Exhibits move beyond the history of the building to examine incarceration and criminal justice. “Prisons Today” addresses the present-day U.S. criminal justice system. Other permanent displays include “The Big Graph,” “Hidden Lives Illuminated,” “Jewish Life,” “Al Capone’s Cell” and “Murals of the Chaplain’s Office.” Art installations add another way to encounter the site and its stories.

The prison’s history includes people whose names became well known, such as bank robber Willie Sutton and Al Capone, as well as thousands whose stories are less familiar. The exhibits and audio material help place the famous names within the wider history of the institution and the people held there.

Seasonal events

In autumn, Eastern State hosts Halloween Nights, a seasonal event that combines haunted attractions with museum exhibits, live performances and themed lounges. It brings a more theatrical, scare-focused experience to the historic site. Timed-entry tickets are recommended for popular dates and special events, so check availability before making plans.