Walnut Street Jail | Definition

Doc's CJ Glossary by Adam J. McKee
Course: Introduction / Corrections

The Walnut Street Jail was the first prison in the United States to feature individual cells and work details; it opened in Philadelphia in 1773.


The Walnut Street Jail, located in Philadelphia, was the first prison in the United States to feature individual cells and work details. This was a significant departure from the previous practice of housing prisoners together in large communal cells or dungeons, where they were subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions.

The Walnut Street Jail opened in 1773 and was designed to hold both male and female prisoners. The jail was built with individual cells that were intended to promote solitary reflection and penitence among inmates. Each cell measured approximately 8 feet by 12 feet and was equipped with a bed, table, and chair.

In addition to individual cells, the Walnut Street Jail also featured work details, where prisoners were assigned to perform various tasks such as weaving, spinning, and shoemaking. This was intended to provide inmates with useful skills and to keep them occupied and productive during their confinement.

The introduction of individual cells and work details at the Walnut Street Jail represented a significant shift in the way that society thought about punishment and rehabilitation. Prior to the opening of the Walnut Street Jail, prisons were primarily used as holding cells for individuals awaiting trial or punishment. Conditions in these facilities were often brutal and inhumane, and prisoners were subjected to physical abuse, torture, and neglect.

The Walnut Street Jail represented a departure from this harsh and punitive approach to criminal justice. By providing inmates with individual cells and useful work details, the jail aimed to promote reflection, penitence, and rehabilitation among prisoners. This was based on the belief that criminals were not inherently evil but were instead products of their environment and circumstances. By providing them with a structured and supportive environment, it was believed that they could be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society as productive citizens.

Despite the progressive nature of the Walnut Street Jail, conditions in the facility were still far from ideal. Inmates were still subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions, and the use of solitary confinement was often abused as a form of punishment rather than rehabilitation. However, the introduction of individual cells and work details represented an important step forward in the development of more humane and effective correctional practices.

Today, the legacy of the Walnut Street Jail can still be seen in the way that prisons and correctional facilities are designed and operated. The use of individual cells and work details has become a standard feature of modern prisons, and the emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration has become a central component of the criminal justice system.


Learn More

On This Site


[ Glossary ]

Last Modified: 04/23/2023

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Exit mobile version