Echoes of History Beautiful Sites Where the World Was Forever Changed

30. The Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia – The Prison That Changed Criminal Justice

Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was the world’s first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to reform rather than merely punish. It introduced solitary confinement, a controversial practice that later spread worldwide but has since been deemed inhumane. The prison's unique radial design, where inmates were kept in isolated cells with minimal human contact, influenced modern prison architecture. Notable inmates included Al Capone, who served time here in a surprisingly luxurious cell. Though it closed in 1971, Eastern State now serves as a museum and stark reminder of how criminal justice policies have evolved over time.