Step into the walls of one of Philadelphia’s most iconic landmarks with this captivating course on Eastern State Penitentiary! Explore the fascinating history of this revolutionary prison, from its 1829 beginnings as a model of the innovative Pennsylvania System of incarceration, through decades of dramatic events, including daring escapes, complex tales of corruption, and the constant push-pull between reform and punishment. Discover how the penitentiary’s story reflects larger tensions about justice and control, culminating in its controversial closure amid rising violence in 1971. Through vivid stories and well-researched history, this course unveils the human dramas and groundbreaking ideas that shaped Eastern State—and its lasting impact on criminal justice.