Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Launches Virtual Educational Series “Justice 101”
January 5, 2024
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (ESPHS) announces Justice 101, a new series by the Center for Justice Education at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. Each virtual program examines the history of the justice system in America, from its founding to today, and the impact it has on society, citizens, and the world.
Once a month, Eastern State staff invite special guests to foster dialogue about a different topic in criminal justice. Justice 101 programs are free, take place virtually via Zoom, and last 45 minutes: a 30-minute program followed by a 15-minute Q&A. Guests can tune in live, or watch the programs back anytime on YouTube.
Upcoming Justice 101 Programs:
- January 19, 12:00 pm ET - Conversation on Civil Rights Movements within Prisons
- February 22, 2:00 pm ET - Does the First Amendment Apply in Prisons?
- March 18, 11:00 am ET - Women Behind Bars: Navigating Mass Incarceration
- April 17, 6:30 pm ET - Exploring the 13th Amendment and the Persistence of Forced Labor in Prisons
- May 13, 1:00 pm ET - Policing in America: Navigating the 4th Amendment, Stop and Frisk, and Civil Rights
“We are excited to embark on a new year at Eastern State Penitentiary with new programs, conversations, and ways to engage in civil dialogue around important and challenging topics,” says Dr. Kerry Sautner, President and CEO. “Justice 101 bolsters our growing reputation as the nation’s leading criminal justice museum and offers a new way for people across the globe to learn more about these critical issues impacting us all.”
Justice 101 is designed for learners of all ages. For more information, visit EasternState.org/Justice101.
About Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison.
Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held approximately 85,000 people during its 142 years of operation, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and “Scarface” Al Capone.
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is open for tours year-round. Admission includes “The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour, narrated by actor Steve Buscemi; award-winning exhibits; and a critically acclaimed series of artist installations.
In recent years, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Exhibitions award by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the nation’s highest award in exhibition development and design, for its exhibit Prisons Today: Questions in the Age of Mass Incarceration, as well as the Institutional Award for Special Achievement from the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and the Trustee Emeritus Award for Stewardship from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The LEAD Fellowship, formerly called The Returning Citizens Tour Guide Project, has won the EdCom Award for Innovation in Museum Education by the American Alliance of Museums.
For more information, visit EasternState.org and follow Eastern State Penitentiary on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, and Tik Tok.
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New virtual series Justice 101, from the Center for Justice Education at @EasternState Penitentiary, convenes experts for conversations about policing in America, women behind bars, forced prison labor, & other issues facing the justice system. Learn more: EasternState.org/Justice101
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