Walnut Street Prison, First state penitentiary in Society Hill, Philadelphia, United States.
The Walnut Street Prison occupied a U-shaped building structure between Walnut Street and Locust Street, featuring individual cells and work areas for inmates.
Established in 1773 and operational until 1838, this prison introduced a new system of incarceration that influenced correctional facilities across the United States.
The Pennsylvania Quakers developed this institution based on their belief in penitence and self-examination as methods for rehabilitation of criminal behavior.
The prison building included small cells with high windows, arranged to minimize communication between inmates while providing natural light and ventilation.
On January 9, 1793, Jean-Pierre Blanchard launched the first manned balloon flight in the Western Hemisphere from the prison yard.
Location: Pennsylvania
Inception: 1773
Official opening: 1773
GPS coordinates: 39.94700,-75.14700
Latest update: March 13, 2025 12:27
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