Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Opened in 1829, it pioneered the 'separate system' of incarceration, emphasizing reformation over punishment.
The prison's radial floor plan and fortress-like walls influenced prison design globally. Its Gothic Revival architecture was intended to intimidate and inspire penitence.
The prison held several notorious criminals, including Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Visitors can see Capone's restored cell, which was surprisingly luxurious.
Today, the penitentiary is a museum offering tours of the cellblocks, solitary confinement yards, and the death row block. It also hosts art installations and the popular 'Terror Behind the Walls' Halloween event.