Philadelphia's Mega Prison | Eastern State Penitentiary

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Eastern State Penitentiary, located in Philadelphia, stands as a haunting monument to the evolution of the American penal system. Established in 1829, it pioneered the revolutionary concept of solitary confinement, aiming for inmate rehabilitation through isolation and reflection. Its imposing Gothic architecture, designed to intimidate and induce penitence, housed notorious criminals like Al Capone. Despite its innovative approach, by the mid-20th century, the penitentiary fell into disrepair, closing its doors in 1971. Since then, its crumbling corridors and empty cells have captivated visitors, becoming a historic site that echoes the eerie legacy of its past, shrouded in tales of both reformative ideals and the harsh realities of incarceration.
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IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Dillan Aultimate
Editor - Karolina Szwata
Host - Ryan Socash
Music/Sound Design: Dave Daddario
» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[@ITSHISTORY]

If you’re ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. You can submit a claim in 8 clicks or less without having to leave your couch. To start your claim, visit: forthepeople.com/itshistory

[@ironhell813]

I want that gargoyle at 0:05

[@brianpayne4549]

Morgan and Morgan are chickenhawks: they’re nothing more than predatory. “Oh, you got hurt? We’ll defend you, for 99% of what you would receive”

[@PlumberWRX]

SIZE MATTERS

[@revee1000]

@@ITSHISTORY seriously 😐

[@blandrooker6541]

First program I've seen on this building that didn't involve night vision gear and ghost hunters 👍

[@alphaomega1351]

That's because the ghosts 👻 moved out to. 😶

[@planescaped]

Thank goodness.

[@noblesicks]

The video game the suffering had a little video on this prison it’s an old game the OG Xbox

[@kalebshaw1477]

@@noblesicks I loved that game

[@workouts_2024]

America is a third world country. I would hate to have been born there. 😯

[@timbuckjr9081]

I had the pleasure of helping install the AC unit and duct work for it to help preserve what is left of the murals Lester Smith painted on the walls of the Chaplain's office. My co-worker and I were able to park inside and we would get there an hour early to just roam the halls. It was pretty surreal. I remember having a conversation with the roofers and how they had to take large pieces of sheet metal and make it look like the old soldered tin panels.

[@Kylewilson608]

So pretty much this shit fake?

[@timbuckjr9081]

@@Kylewilson608 Wat

[@Kylewilson608]

@@timbuckjr9081 u said the roofers would take large pieces of sheet metal and make it look like the old soldered tin panels

[@timbuckjr9081]

@@Kylewilson608 Yes because one full sheet of metal would hold up better over time than several pieces soldered together.

[@Iswearthatsnotmine]

I just found this channel. I live in Philly and I'm a contractor. I worked there for 6 months doing repairs to the brick and stone work. The whole Fairmount area is pretty cool to visit but I definitely recommend checking out the prison if you ever make your way to the Philly area. Very cool piece of history!!

[@cmrn3387]

@@Iswearthatsnotmine and def haunted! My friend and I had a simultaneous experience of hearing marching guard boots on a quiet day. We were in a cell in the middle of a spoke reading historical plaques. I went out to look. No one. We hadn’t said anything to each other, but left for lunch across the street. She said “did you hear those guard boots?”

[@cactaceous]

Lived for 2 years in the Fairmount area of Philly, Pennsylvania Ave, blocks away from Eastern State. Even went to events there and a tour. It’s actually quite cool and the Firehouse restaurant right in front is really good.

[@bio-jesus6967]

I ate there when I toured the prison! I also did the haunted house thing they do

[@WVUer21]

I worked there for two of the Haunted Halloween nights. Firehouse was very good.

[@Youngsickbacchus]

By any chance did you ever go to Fairmount Pizza and Grill? And if so, have you also noticed how ass their slices are?

[@cactaceous]

@@Youngsickbacchus Most likely. Pizza around Fairmount was pretty mid.

[@Bluelinenp]

Yooo I been to the haunted theme too🤣just now finding our about the historic horror this place held

[@aaronschaefer4167]

I just did that tour last year it takes way longer than a half an hour to go through everything there are 50 plus stops covering almost every aspect of the prison and human life. Steve buscemi is great in it. Maybe if you can press everything Steve buscemi said with no time to walk between all the different stops it would take a half an hour that does not include all the interviews and extra stuff that's in that tour tour. If you're anywhere near Philadelphia I highly recommend going on it!

[@lukedraper4100]

There is one here in Australia think it does tours but has regular Lazer tag so fun

[@tomtransport]

The prison is right across the street from Batche Elementary School at 22 and Brown Streets. You can see the school in the high long shot at 27:10. It's that gray 3 story building top left. I went to school there 1st to 6th. I was on the safety patrol too. My post was at 22 and Fairmount Ave. My class rooms always faced the wall of the prison. Walked by it 4 times a day for 6 years. 1949-1955. We would play half ball up 22nd street above Fairmount, that's a rubber ball about the size of a tennis ball cut in half. A broomstick was the bat. The pitcher pitched the half ball across 22 street to the batter opposite the prison. Hit the wall was a single, half way up was a double, 3/4 was a triple, If you hit the half ball over the wall it was a home run.😀😀

[@1GirlieGirl]

I go to Terror Behind The Walls every Halloween! I swear it gets more scary every year, I love it! And when my friend Justin was growing up down the street from the prison, he and his cousin broke in and got stuck inside haha they screamed and screamed until someone who lived on Brown St heard them and called the cops. I encourage anyone who visits Philly to take a tour, it's awesome.

[@Cream_of_wheat]

@@1GirlieGirl 😂😂😂😂🤦🏽‍♀️

[@ashleyfarrow2175]

My daughter had surgery at Shriners in Philadelphia a few years ago. I could see this building in the distance. Wish we had time to go explore!

[@schmumu]

@@ashleyfarrow2175 I felt as if I could feel the darkness coming from the walls

[@Cream_of_wheat]

I hope your little one is doing well🥰

[@eventiderapture]

I’d love if you covered my favorite museum in Philly; The Mutter Museum. Thomas Mutter was a fascinating individual.

[@joestrike8537]

I don't know a single friend who went there and weren't totally grossed out. (I turned down an invite to join them because I'd already heard about the place.)

[@SupaTang]

I second that...I love that museum....its sad that currently some ppl want it closed.

[@PoizNusChEEzCaKe]

welp a little bit of caution should be mentioned lol i loved this video, im new here, and ive been scrolling to see what other good videos and material i can find, saw ur comment, figured "why not? give it a quick google, should be fine" ... um yea NOT!! im grown af, and i honestly havent been that shocked, scared, interested, captivated, in a very very long time perhaps since i saw my first gore video about maybe 13 yo ish lol, and it really did took an unusual bit of effort to steel my nerves and not bail on the whole 'google' concept a few times, but im pretty sure since now i have to make it to PA to see the prison, im gonna have see this one too, still gotta figure out what im gonna do with the kids and how im gonna sell their mother on the idea, but every now and then i do have a good idea, and it's been a while since the last one, so this one got to be it, right? lol

[@mrbilky]

One of my employees was sent there in the late sixties early seventy forget what it was for but it is a fascinating story I once boomed over the wall on the back side of the prison when I worked for a large tree contractor it truly does evoke awe If I remember correctly the word penitentiary comes from the word penitence and the hub a spoke design was revolutionary allowing for the guards to see down every cell block from a central location even today when I pass by it is an awe inspiring view

[@tardissixteen8178]

I took a tour of the penitentiary last year, it’s really cool and I highly recommend it

[@peteheyde7999]

It's eerie red stone walls and towers are visible from I-95 a mile south of the Academy Road exit in Northeast Philadelphia. I've driven past it hundreds of times. From the day I first saw it, it seemed to have a twisted aura about it. And THAT was before I actually researched it and found out some of the history of the place. In any event, this presentation is a very welcome and appreciated chapter in "I'ts History". Thanks, RS, nice work!

[@briansingmaster9453]

The prison you’re referencing is Holmesburg prison, which also has a very interesting story but different from eastern state. Eastern state is closer to the art museum.

[@peteheyde7999]

You are absolutely correct. Thanks Brian I used to deliver to the former Coyne Textile Services Plant at 48th and Brown in the middle eighties. When Ryan said that the ESP was on Brown Street, I thought I may have driven past it, but the Pen is at 2100 Brown inside the Surekill Distressway! @@briansingmaster9453

[@ritirons2726]

That’s the holmesburg prison that you see along 95. It actually appears similar especially an overhead view.

[@Stussmeister]

Very interesting and informative. I've been to this prison twice, though I can't say I had any paranormal encounters, and one of my relatives worked here as a security guard.

[@mindyhiteshue]

I toured the prison about 10 years ago, it was absolutely terrifying. Thank you so much for this documentary, very interesting to learn even more about it.

[@visualsweets]

I just came back from Philly and went to the penitentiary for the whole day. I was surprised that it was in the middle of a nice peaceful neighborhood. I especially enjoyed the Speakeasy at Al Capone’s cell. They had some great performers singing which you can only see if you sign up for the VIP tour.

[@anthonydivon5571]

I grew up across the street from there on Corinthian Avenue in the 70's and 80's. Also my father worked there as a corrections officer from 1967 until it closed in 1971.

[@patrickodonnell9388]

I grewup in Fairmount and this place was where we played street hockey in the parking area on Brown st. I remember when kids from the neighborhood broke in through the side door on 22nd street it was news throug out the neighborhood.

[@o0oTyPow]

You should do a mini doc on the Missouri State Penn.

[@hughie522]

Fascinating! If I'm ever in Philadelphia, I'll have to pay it a visit!

[@TurtleSauceGaming]

The thing people don't realize about Holmesburg is as tall as that wall is, it's equally as deep underground

[@keneason775]

@@TurtleSauceGaming Graterford prison was the same. 40 foot walls and the same deep. It's closed now, but SCI Phoenix has replaced it.

[@TurtleSauceGaming]

@@keneason775 pretty much standard construction practice for these prisons from that era I imagine. They filmed law abiding citizen there. Was quite a sight seeing someone running through the halls with a fire arm.

[@richduerr4471]

To call the prison 'abandoned' is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! It holds daily guided tours, and really fun Halloween tours that are over the top! It has been kept restored to the utmost, including a recreation of Al Capone's cell. I have toured it about five times, two of them Halloween tours. They even have a little drinkng bar at the end of the tour, and give discount tickets for the bar/restaurant across the street. It is only abandoned by the ghosts of those who were incarcerated there. Or is it? If you have a couple hours to kill in Philly, I highly recommend you work that tour into your schedule.

[@tdsollog]

Halloween at Eastern State is amazing. They do it up!

[@philipdepalma4672]

I have been there and took the tour. According to the tour the real reason the prison closed was because the city grew up around it and the possibility of a prison break with the prisoners escaping into city neighborhoods was unacceptable to political leaders. It wasn’t concern for prisoners but the fear or escaping prisoners that closed the prison. The solitary concept was copying religious hermits without recognizing that this involved a small group of individuals CHOSE to do that to get closer to God or to repent for some act rather than a large group of prisoners FORCED into it by the state. Granted the NY system using violence to keep order in a mass prisoner setting wasn’t much better.

[@zevkramer6154]

That's not why. If that were true they would not have closed Holmsburg Prison.

[@275Vet-RLTW]

That place has been an abandoned pa tourist attraction since before socash was born. I was touring it at 12 years old in the late 70s

[@swimmer1997fly]

I visited here over a year ago and had an experience there. The moment I stepped into the cell the escape started I felt immense dread and anxiety that I’ve never felt before. I was terrified and couldn’t explain why. Prior to that, I’ve never believed in ghosts or energy staying after. But not I’m a lot less skeptical of stories people have

[@Doepeshiomc]

I’m from CA, I be in PA I passed by there a few times.. always tripped me out how it’s houses right across the street lmao 🤣

[@rudykr3oc]

My Great-Grand Father was there in the late teens to early 1920's. Not really a bragging right if you look up his name in Ancestry and get the documents. I wish I had a mugshot of him because I have no pictures at all, but they said many of the historical books where just pilfered, lost, damaged, who knows. His name was William Oscar Frame and any more info on him would be great.

[@tylerlittle4436]

I just flew over this when landing a Northeast Philly airport a couple days ago. I was wondering what it was! Great timing!

[@gratefullthirdeye]

Been there its wild!! ❤ you can feel the energy and its ALWAYS cold 🥶.

[@tracey7209]

This place is pretty cool. My time was limited but spent about 2 hours there and I was content. Definitely check it out if you’re visiting Philly and the self guided tour is more than enough.

[@twenger1]

I like your new intro better! Nice work, old one was always surprising

[@empressvogt]

I saw the Penitentiary wall on my trip up to Salem, Mass! I had enough time to look up from my phone and look left! I freaked out because I've always wanted to see the building for so long! I will always remember it!!

[@greatwall8158]

@@empressvogt it's always better to look at your surroundings on a road trip as opposed to a cell phone.

[@DMD.The.MeNaCe]

I live right across the street from Eastern State on Fairmount.

[@pluck263]

I actually went there to visit. Pretty big building near DT. Crazy what happened there tho

[@ILLinois7024]

Big fan. First time sending a hello & huge thanks from Plano, ILLinois.

[@xnbk-yotiex5247]

I still remember this prison. When I was a child, my father use to drive me by it every now and then

[@Hukkavei]

Honestly speaking, looking at American prisons today, a solitary cell system looks far more appealing. People just were more extroverted back then.

[@kingpest13]

That maiming illustration is nightmare fuel.

[@Kimpossible_choc]

I go there every year for their Halloween themed tours!

[@johnfrancis0063]

The "round house." was another treat.

[@barbararoberto1258]

Enjoyed this very much so professionally done with alot of history, thumbs up

[@ITSHISTORY]

Thanks for the visit!

[@SupaTang]

I live in the area...love the neighborhood and the community garden on the property is peaceful.

[@buckscountyeasarchive8995]

You should cover Holmesburg Prison too. It’s got an interesting history as well

[@chrisbarkerguitar]

Fantastic video, very interesting thank you very much. Hoping to visit this place one day, hopefully soon!

[@smoshpoint120]

Did the tour there a few years back was actually really sick!

[@DrFooMod2]

I lived several blocks from Fairmount Penitentiary. Penitentiary derives it's name from "penance",. The Quakers that dominated society at the time were strong believers in such.

[@josecolon5034]

I grew up a few blocks away on 17th and Fairmont and the prison is on 22nd and Fairmont. Al capone once spent time there as well as many others

[@MrNiceguy-z1w]

Ive been there to see the historic site it's kinda cool and amazing to see in person

[@ericalampley480]

Went on a regular tour there. Very cool. Got great pics and video.

[@brianpayne4549]

They do haunted houses there, during Halloween. It’s pretty cool.

[@billyhatcher643]

i love the history of this place and the paranormal activity it has and i plan on going here at some point all day just for the history and hopefully stay overnight just for the hell of it

[@funken079]

Another great video , thanks Ryan

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

Thank you very much Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸

[@tugginalong]

I’m in Philadelphia quite often and I’ve seen it from a distance. If yours are still occurring, I’ll be going in early 2024. No AC- did you really expect there to be AC? I live in SC and we didn’t have AC in school in some of my classes in 1976 and we didn’t have AC at home until 1971. Some criminals, not all, deserved the worst possible punishment that be given. And you make a great argument for the death penalty as compared to solitary confinement. But so many people went to prison for what would be considered frivolous crimes today.

[@buckbuck9225]

It's never been "abandoned" closed in 71'. Registered as a landmark in 65'.

[@Duececoupe]

"Being alone with your thoughts"!? Freddy Krueger wouldn't last 5 minutes in my head, before he runs for the hills screaming at the top of his head "f*ck that, I'm not mentally prepared for this kinda sh*t!"....😉😆😂

[@LKS-1976]

This is a cool place to visit, grew up in Philly.

[@robertabrams8562]

To all future prisoners…if you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime!

[@MarthaAnderson-ex9yb]

@@robertabrams8562 Now that I have to Agree with you 💯💯

[@Iamtaicha]

I visited and it’s so big and surreal to walk thru and know that so many people served time there to see some items death row cells , beds etc worth a visit also cool when it turns into haunted house

[@jimtownsend7899]

If I'm ever in a "precurious" situation, I'll call Morgan & Morgan. Maybe they can tell me what I will eventually be curious about. They might even be able to help me if I am in a precarious situation.

[@Shabazzelbey]

Literally Shawshank Redemption

[@classic.cameras]

Such an interesting video! And I think I will be watching Shawshank Redemption as some of these stories clearly inspired Stephen King with that story.

[@josecolon5034]

You should do a piece on the Philadelphia County prison system

[@larrysorenson4789]

Looks like it needs to reopen ASAP.

[@danielhouser8845]

Torresdale & Enfield in Philadelphia thought your talking about this when they didn't have enough room on State road we went here and they put us all in gym

[@218philip]

During this era people were imprisoned if they couldn’t pay their debts, no excuse was considered. Making restitution was impossible and rendering the wife and children destitute was intentional. Many people subjected to total isolation, no communication even with guards. This type of deprivation led many to permanent brain damage.

[@ItsEverythingElse]

Sure you could describe them. The video might get demonetized but you absolutely can describe them.

[@frankgrima]

Government neglect, this facility looks like good solid construction and it's a shame that they did not take care.

[@GLaV456]

I did state time in New York witch I’m from and I also got pinched in Scranton and had to go up state and that was some of the worst time I had to do, with comfortably between each state and from what I hear from other states I think New York is the best state to get locked up in if u want to do your time as comfortable as can be..

[@RCAvhstape]

I think the Dead Milkmen shot their video for Punk Rock Girl there, too.

[@Michaelengelmann]

My sister went one year or a couple for Halloween. I couldn’t. I’ve been a scaredy cat since elementary school but now, I wouldn’t mind doing spooky things

[@chervaunbryan479]

Lived in Philadelphia for 23 years never seen this before

[@wofat6300]

The prison system still use solitary confinement as a punishment.

[@nervouswreck392]

GRATE‼️✔️☝️👌

[@stelampology]

You can reeeally get a sense of how huge it is when you walk the perimeter, during the Fairmount Avenue fleamarket… 😅

[@luisd333]

14:43 Mans head is so big his ears are in different timezones

[@Jonny_World]

Omg I was just there during Halloween it’s so much fun

[@aarona.aaronson9621]

Places like this are a good example of how many countries and the US in particular have a hard time coming to terms with both their history and current politics and culture. I'm glad to see it is now a museum, but to have this be a location for holiday celebrations and filming, some might consider distateful.

[@gradyrm237]

Charles Dickenson? The famous writer of A Christmas Carolson?

[@sweetmother2406]

@@gradyrm237 yeah it made me do a double take too lol

[@BriannaMassey-i2i]

I just went there for a trip at school it's so crazy looking

[@FC-qe1wl]

Some of the schools in the area and even in NJ close to philly are designed like ESP. with wings and a center hub.

[@gregg9226]

@FC-qe1wl American public Schools are prisons.

[@fermio100]

This was a most impressive video. Thank you very much, sir.

[@davida5296]

I thought it was unethical and against the code of conduct for a law firm to advertise without giving a physical address

[@jojohill27]

The game The Suffering is all about this prison awesome game straight up

[@jpatterson4042]

My great-great grandfather hung himself there while serving time for shooting his son in-law during an argument of non payment of a loan. We didn't know anything about it until my aunt started doing genealogy on her and my dads fathers side of the family after she retired

[@ITSHISTORY]

That’s quite a story!

[@Fvphilly215]

My favorite haunted house for Halloween and it’s creepy everytime 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Taschara-lp6xy]

Was the Sutton story the inspiration for the "Shawshank Redemption"?

[@bigbaldbikerinwa]

Sounds like a perfect prison! Bring it back and make it a model for all of them!

[@jakepophal985]

How does that rehabilitate people??

[@francisdv]

Agreed!! Bring it back!! Prison should be a place normal people don't want to go too.

[@bigbaldbikerinwa]

@@jakepophal985 rehabilitation does not work.

[@richardbeckenbaugh1805]

Treatment like this- solitary confinement- actually makes people more violent, not less. It also gives them PTSD - you never know what will set them off into a violent rage. Once PTSD sets in, it takes a lot of time and effort (read MONEY) to treat it to get it down to where the person can function in society again. Basically, you’re taking a possible nonviolent criminal and turning them into the most violent person possible. Think taking someone convicted of possessing marijuana and turning them into a cold blooded killer. Not really the desired outcome. Research has shown that that’s what actually happened to the inmates of the prison.

[@hightower6645]

@@jakepophal985 They need punishment, not rehabilitation.

[@springsummerwinterorfall]

His name is Charles dickens

[@n00dles79]

How do you dig a tunnel through what I assume to be concrete?

[@glenstribling6123]

Looks like a great place to make a movie. Also a great place to hide from zombies.

[@amyjojinkerson-b6o]

just like the Great Escape

[@JacobVilla-tl2zy]

But the homies that are locked up nowadays are over here talking about they're "LIKE ANIMALS"😮😂

[@toldyouso5588]

This here is a ready solution to the homeless crisis.

[@williamchamberlain2263]

Coat of paint and some better ventilation and it'd make an amazing indoor/outdoor market and/or library and/or natural history museum.

[@loadedfun4764]

I grew up there in the neighborhood back in the 80’s & 90’s While most ppl wanted out of the prison we wanted in. In the late 80’s you could scale the wall in the rear of the prison where they had a refrigeration building. From the roof there was a pole leading up the wall to the tower at 22nd. & brown. At the time the city stored municipalities vehicles and streets department vehicles inside on the prisons grounds. (We drove those vehicles all day inside the the perimeter of the yard. I knew two ppl who fell off the wall into the prison back in the Late 80’s.

[@loadedfun4764]

It was never abandoned. The city of Philadelphia had always used the prison as a parking lot for municipal vehicles as well storage for the police department. There has always been activity inside of the prison.

[@irjr6175]

2:24 nobody see the cat being thrown? 😂 on the left side

[@too_sturdy]

Is this State Road? I thought that was the only jail in Philly.

[@warpo007]

places like these do not need the bullshit ghost stories, if anything they get in the way of the much more fascinating, true stories of real life in the penitentiary

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

Agree!