Tuesday, November 24, 2026
5:30 - 7:30pm EST
Details to come, check back for updates.
We strive to make the penitentiary and our site, programs, and exhibits accessible to all visitors. Click here to learn more about accessibility and accommodations at ESPHS.
This program is part of Justice 101, a discussion series that dives 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 elements, expert voices, and opportunities for community dialogue.
Tuesday, September 08, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Free online and in-person. Join us for a conversation exploring Norway’s "normality principle,” a groundbreaking approach to incarceration that prioritizes humanity and rehabilitation, and learn about ongoing efforts to replicate the model and research its impact through the Scandinavian Prison Project at SCI-Chester, a state correctional institution near Philadelphia.
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.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Free online. Celebrate Constitution Day by tracing the origins of the United States prison system, examining Eastern State’s role within this history as America’s first penitentiary, and considering how past practices continue to drive today’s justice system and modern reform efforts.
Tuesday, October 06, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Details to come, check back for updates.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Details to come, check back for updates.
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.
Wednesday, December 09, 2026
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Details to come, check back for updates.