What made the walnut street jail different from the other contemporary “work houses” ?

Answer 1

The Walnut Street Jail, reformed in 1790 in Philadelphia, was a major turning point in U.S. corrections history. It differed from other contemporary work houses in several key ways:

1. Focus on Rehabilitation – Unlike typical workhouses that emphasized punishment and hard labor, Walnut Street Jail introduced the idea that prisoners could be reformed through reflection and discipline.
2. Use of Solitary Confinement – It was the first institution in the U.S. to use solitary cells to encourage inmates to reflect on their crimes in silence, marking the beginning of the penitentiary concept.
3. Religious Instruction and Order – Prisoners were expected to read the Bible and follow strict routines. The belief was that religious study and quiet contemplation could lead to moral reform.

This model influenced the later development of two major systems:

1. The Pennsylvania System – Expanded the use of solitary confinement for all prisoners at all times.
2. The Auburn System – Allowed inmates to work together silently during the day and be isolated at night, emphasizing discipline and labor.

The Walnut Street Jail is considered the foundation of the American penitentiary system because it shifted the goal of incarceration from punishment to reform.