Educate. Engage. Empower.
From classroom-ready lesson plans to tours, workshops, and professional development opportunities, we offer content that accommodates a wide variety of learning styles and subject matter, featuring expertise from universities, school districts, and thought leaders across the country. Together, we can shape a transformative learning experience that connects past to present and encourages critical thinking about the pathways forward.
Classroom Resources
Integrate justice education into your curriculum - these innovative tools help educators navigate the complexities of the justice system in a classroom setting.
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Professional Development
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School Tours & Workshops
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Justice 101 Panel Discussions
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Educational Videos
LEARN MOREThe Collaboratory for Justice Education
The Collaboratory for Justice Education, powered by the Eastern State Center for Justice Education, is a dynamic community of dedicated and enthusiastic people with a shared passion for justice education.
LEARN MOREPlan a Group Visit
With virtual, in-person, guide-led, and self-guided options, there’s something for everyone at Eastern State. Learn more and make your group reservation today.
Upcoming Justice Education Events
Justice 101
Tuesday, September 15 - Thursday, December 31, 2026
Join us as we dive into some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice today, through a historical lens and with a focus on civic education. Each program includes interactive online or in-person elements, expert voices, and opportunities for community dialogue. Powered by the Eastern State Center for Justice Education.
Justice 101: Voices Beyond the Walls — Justice, Reentry, and Civic Power
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Free online and in-person. In recognition of National Voter Registration Day, the Philadelphia City Commissioners' Office and the Eastern State Center for Justice Education are partnering to present a panel and networking event exploring voting rights and civic engagement for justice-involved individuals and all community members.
Moderated by Vanessa Caracoza (Deputy Executive Director, Philadelphia City Commissioners' Office). Panelists include Omar Sabir (Chairman, Philadelphia City Commissioners’ Office), William “Bill” Hart (Associate Director, Temple University—Office of Community Affairs and Engagement), Benjamin D. Geffen, J.D. (Senior Attorney, Public Interest Law Center), Assata Thomas (Executive Director, Division of Reentry—City of Philadelphia’s Office of Public Safety), and others to be announced.
Justice 101: The History of American Incarceration
Thursday, September 17, 2026
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Explore the history of the U.S. criminal justice system beginning with Eastern State Penitentiary, a revolutionary attempt at prison reform led by Benjamin Franklin and other Framers of the U.S. Constitution. Consider how founding ideals of liberty and freedom impacted—and continue to play a role in—justice reform today.
Moderated by Kerry Sautner, Ed.D. (President and CEO, Eastern State) and featuring Ashley T. Rubin, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa), a leading scholar in U.S. carceral history and author of "The Deviant Prison: Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary and the Origins of America's Modern Penal System."
Justice 101: Religious Freedom and the Justice System
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Explore the complex legal story of religious freedom and the justice system, and unpack how it continues to unfold in courtrooms, prisons, and jails across the country today. Delve into notable rulings that protected the rights of incarcerated people to practice their faiths behind bars.
Speakers include Michael Moreland, J.D., Ph.D. (Professor of Law and Religion & Director of the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Villanova University) and others to be announced.
Scout Days
Saturday, November 14 - Thursday, December 31, 2026
Led by our engaging staff, all Scout Days participants will enjoy interactive discussions and activities. Members of Scouting America and Girl Scouts of the USA will also meet badge requirements.
In Person Scout Day
Saturday, November 14, 2026
All Day
Led by our engaging staff, all In-Person Scout Day participants will enjoy interactive discussions and activities. Members of Scouting America and Girl Scouts of the USA will also meet badge requirements.
Justice 101: From Natural Rights to "Slave of the State"- Philadelphia's Founding Vision and the Making of the "Slave of the State"
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Details to come, check back for updates.
Justice 101: Faith, Sanctuary, and Community
Thursday, December 03, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Additional details to come, check back for updates. Join us for an evening that opens with a panel discussion and features live musical performances exploring how religious connection sustains people through incarceration.
Justice 101: Examining the Justice System and the Unfinished work of the Founding and the Prisoners' Rights Revolution
Wednesday, December 09, 2026
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Details to come, check back for updates.