Terror behind the walls

A few pictures brought to you by the Cabrini College Photography Club

Property of Cabrini College Photography Club

Positioned just meters away from the prison's central tower, this guard post is enclosed by a single large iron door with a padlock and metal latch. Although in decrepit condition, this room was once an important office for guards to plan their daily prison patrols and file important documents on inmates.

Property of Cabrini College Photography Club

Iron cell doors eerily adorn the catwalk. The cell doors have a rectangular opening that food and work materials could be passed through to the prisoner. In addition, there were peepholes for the guards to observe inmates without being seen.This is one of seven cell blocks radiating from the central guard tower. Each cell block contains two ranges of large single cells that are 8x12 feet by 10 feet high.

Property of Cabrini College Photography Club

The old desk is a testament to the fact that Eastern State Penitentiary was victim to years of looting upon its closure in 1971. Notice the missing handles on the desk. Handles were usually made of brass or copper, which could be sold for profit to jewelers and pawn shops.

Property of Cabrini College Photography Club

Items such as the wheelbarrow in this cell block show just how archaic Eastern State Penitentiary is. Prison architect John Haviland pioneered the "hub and spoke" design that was built around an octagonal center with seven radiating single story cell blocks.

Property of Cabrini College Photography Club

Synagogue: Obadiah 1:18 is etched in the skylight and serves as a reminder to Jewish prisoners. Obadiah, which means “Servant of Yahweh", is though to have lived between 845 B.C. and 586 B.C.