Todd Spoth

SERIES: EASTERN STATE

When Philadelphia architect John Haviland originally designed the prison in the early 1800's, the plan called for one-story cell blocks, but overcrowding was a problem early on and many of the cell blocks were hastily built into two-story units. Several of the two-story facilities such as the one seen here were built and designed solely by the prisoners themselves.
When Philadelphia architect John Haviland originally designed the prison in the early 1800's, the plan called for one-story cell blocks, but overcrowding was a problem early on and many of the cell blocks were hastily built into two-story units. Several of the two-story facilities such as the one seen here were built and designed solely by the prisoners themselves.