Eastern State believes in the power of education as a catalyst for change. We are committed to generating innovative, nonpartisan tools that help learners of all ages navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system and contribute to the evolution of a more just and fair society.
Want to integrate justice education into your classroom? Please feel free to utilize the resources below!
Justice 101 is a free, monthly discussion series examining the history of the justice system in America, from its founding to today, and the impact it has on society, citizens, and the world. While discussions take place live — in person, online, or both — recordings can be viewed anytime on our YouTube channel.
Learn more about Justice 101. Then, consider leveraging one of these past Justice 101 events in your classroom:
The Eighth Amendment: Cruel & Unusual Punishment (September 2023) — The Eighth Amendment states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” Has that standard been upheld by American criminal justice institutions of the past? Is it being upheld presently?
Women Behind Bars: Why Is Incarceration of Women on the Rise? (March 2024) — Female imprisonment is on the rise in the United States, surpassing global rates. Why is this? Consider the historical context of women in prison, and discover the unique challenges faced by women as they navigate life within correctional facilities primarily designed for men.
Unlocking History is a video series that examines the intricacies of everyday life at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today. In each installment, our researchers delve into the archives and share a unique, often-overlooked slice of history through the lens of a specific person, community, or topic.
Learn more about Unlocking History. Then, consider leveraging one of these Unlocking History videos in your classroom:
Sports at Eastern State Penitentiary (September 2024) — From solitary exercise to team activities, learn more about the important role of sports at Eastern State Penitentiary including the penitentiary’s integrated baseball teams and legendary boxer turned Eastern State baseball player Charles “Jack” Blackburn.
The Engineering Achievements of Stephen De Ayala (November 2024) — Uncover the fascinating story of Steven De Ayala, who designed Eastern State's eleventh cellblock while incarcerated at the penitentiary in the 1890s.
Eastern State Teachbacks provide an opportunity to engage with fellow educators in a meaningful way. These sessions — made for and led by educators — each feature a conversation centered around a topic in contemporary justice followed by an activity and classroom lesson discussion. Each spring, we offer live virtual Teachbacks, open to all educators. In addition, recordings can be viewed anytime on our YouTube channel.
Learn more about Eastern State Teachbacks. Then, consider furthering your professional learning by revisiting one of our past sessions:
School-to-Prison Pipeline (March 2024) — Presented by Eastern State with guest speakers Aishah Nashedeem (Science Leadership Academy) and Dr. Keith Reeves (Professor of Political Science, Swarthmore College)
The Persistence of Forced Labor in Prisons (May 2024) — Presented by Eastern State with guest speakers Miriam Rock (Friends Select School) and Jennifer Turner (Human Rights Researcher, ACLU)
The following lesson plans have been written and vetted by Eastern State staff, participants in our four-day Summer Teacher Institute, and/or members of our Collaboratory for Justice Education. They are available for use, free of charge, by all educators.
Mass Incarceration (Grades 7 & 8) — Author: Aishah Nashedeem (2023 Summer Teacher Institute); Co-Author: Sarah Duenas
Analyzing Mass Incarceration and the Prison Pipeline Phenomenon (Grades 9-12) — Author: Tiffany Davis (2023 Summer Teacher Institute)
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