Let the doors be made of iron. 19th century prison reform
Description
This Academy Award-nominated program uses dramatic reenactments, old lithographs, and photographs to trace the fascinating history of the world's first full-scale penitentiary-Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia. Conceived as a humane alternative to the overcrowding and debauchery of smaller jails, the prison's fortress-like design and policy of separate confinement and meaningful labor became the correctional model for prisons worldwide. Important events in the prison's history are detailed, including the arrival of its first prisoner in 1829, and a visit by its only detractor-Charles Dickens. This is an interesting historical window on an early experiment in the humane treatment and rehabilitation of criminals.
Runtime
23 min
Subjects
Genre
Date of Publication
[2006], c1987
Database
Films on Demand
Direct Link
https://www.remote.uwosh.edu/login?url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=102638&xtid=6867
Similar Films
Chris Blessinger. Interview
Colt Lundy. In Cell
Jobs and crime
Lost in Detention. The Hidden World of Immigration Enforcement
Kevin Henry. Interview
Juvenile Inmate Aaron. Cell Interview
Adult Prison. Interviewing Inmates, with Larry Greer
Gang Counseling in Prison, Part 1
Inside Prison, Huff Administrative Review Hearing (ARC)
The Mass Execution, Part 3 (Life and Death Row, Series 3)
Adult Prison. Interviewing Inmates, with Rodrick
Tribal justice
Indecent Liberties
Part Four, Home Is A Work In Progress
What In the World—El Salvador. Yo Cambio