Exploring Eastern State: The world's first true penitentiary

For years, the visitors who came to tour the historic Eastern State Penitentiary, in Philadelphia, were lured by its morbid past. But lately, one official there says, they're "coming here to learn about criminal-justice reform.” Read more: wapo.st/2p1ZDvz. Subscribe to The Washington Post on KZbin: wapo.st/2QOdcqK
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[@Freshlypeeledmangos]

I remember coming here for a school tour when I was a senior in high school. It's actually not a scary place here. I believe that this place is very photogenic. Definitely recommend checking it out. 👍

[@jnstuff1974]

Idk, the death row area creeped me out! Bad feeling in there. But yes, very cool place.

[@diamondynamite]

I remember going there near the end of 7th grade. I'm currently an upcoming Junior now, and I can confirm that it wasn't that scary, but there were apparently some scary things that DID happen there. The prisoners were being treated horribly there.

[@mikemancini313]

I recall the first person who was sentenced to this prison was a 12 year old boy in 1829 supposedly for stealing something valuable. Possibly a horse. Then there's the whole "iron gag" incident.

[@diamondynamite]

@@mikemancini313 I heard of a 14 year old boy who got sentenced there for the sexual assault of a 9 year old girl. Not much I can remember.

[@anamaria91106]

Such a fascinating experience. I’m not a fan of the super natural and nothing about the tour felt “haunted”. It was however, extremely educational. It encouraged me to research our prison systems here in America.

[@NicoleHRRCP]

I go here every Halloween, it’s amazing to see.

[@markgray3963]

If you're familiar with the book hex and ray Myers hollow in York PA this is where John Blymire was sent in 1929 to serve life

[@stevekells7283]

Hardly...England's prisons date back further,plus other European countries have older prisons

[@jenniferdolson8148]

I've toured lots of prisons in this area while taking a class dedicated to prison reform when I was working on my BA. All of them were populated though, none of them were empty.

[@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet]

People, Alcatraz in the Bay Area is still a huge tourist visiting spot. No different. Nothing morbid. People just like to see history.

[@yvonneplant9434]

This is in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia today. When this was built the surrounding area was open land.

[@sagebrooks6907]

I ❤️ 😍 💖 my city Philly✋️💯🤟

[@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet]

Steps away from Alcatraz is San Quention, which is still used. Nothing morbid. Just normal.

[@markallen3293]

From my research ESP is very haunted.

[@lostinspace699]

No

[@markrios3256]

Was it really haunted

[@DougOfTheAntarctic]

Turning this site into a Hallowe'en theme park at 3:20 seems very shallow. There's so much more to think about.

[@da_suntoucha7219]

Gotta give the ppl what they want

[@x_over_it]

I agree to an extent, personally I think the whole paranormal scene is very tasteful but at the same time this is a massive complex and given that 60% of their revenue comes from an annual event alone. It's very clear that they wouldn't be able to properly maintain the building and grounds without said event.

[@lusmerlin]

I'd rather they do that and stay open in the first place.....

[@krayziiyungn1279]

What he was saying is prison is new slavery.. this is this first of the new slavery

[@RedPolarBearRanger]

I live behind there and a member there I know Matt and everyone who works there I last went to Terror Behind the Walls before the pandemic.

[@rachelsworld5922]

I went in there I made it until the room with all the cells and I was scared so my grandma took me to the gift shop while my mom,my brother,and my 2 cousins went to do the rest

[@sashanj848]

Great video! Also the Guide tour guy is so cute omg! Super nice looking beard 🧔

[@esthervillalobos0305]

Wow I lived in Philadelphia Pennsylvania🙈😲😄😄

[@michaeIv]

OMG I went there it’s was so fascinating

[@IP0Monsturd]

I was there. I saw Al Capones toilet. 🚽

[@Jean-gx2qe]

Better his toilet than his ghost, though, huh??

[@Liltweek49474]

I had to grab my butt this almost mad me go 💩

[@TheNewb187]

it looks like the lancaster county prison lol

[@ReevansElectro]

What a sad sick society that is focused on punishment, retribution, fear, and horror. Come on US of A, you can reach for your better nature and strive to be a world moral leader.

[@pjaccountname]

Not under 45.......

[@ReevansElectro]

@@pjaccountname You proved my point.

[@HenryPaulThe3rd]

Shut up

[@johnjack902]

So prisoners built all these castles😂😂😂

[@zombeast23]

💨 💨 💨 💨

[@infographic-101]

This is very important, Lebanon is suffering these days, and the Lebanese are protesting against corruption and sectarian political parties, and politicians are trying to suppress the protests with force by thugs and not with official police, I think the Lebanese deserve more coverage and expose their case to the world. Please, help the Lebanese by spreading videos and reports of what is happening with them.

[@monstersofthemidw100]

The critical issue is that it should be reopened. American sovereignty now

[@HenryPaulThe3rd]

Why did you have to make this about being woke. Ruined it in the first minute

[@mybiz2167]

What is "WoKe" about this? CRY SOME MORE you Trump fckker!

[@zombeast23]

💩 💩 💩 💩

[@lipmouth5633]

Padophile prist is what comes to preach fir the prisoners

[@lipmouth5633]

And all was lies from all this fake prist