Eastern State Penitentiary
A digital photo series from the inside of Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary.
Written & Photographed by Haylie Fraettarelli
On a weekend trip to Philadelphia, my friend and I had to make a decision on what to do with our one full day in the city. Our decision led us to the infamous Eastern State Penitentiary, which was obviously the better choice considering I can’t remember the others. Once inside, we received a pair of headphones and an iPod with a pre-recorded audio tour voiced by Steve Buscemi, which I thought was quite comical. Moving through each decrepit and dilapidated corridor while listening to the history behind the prison provokes an eerie and sinister impression. I wanted this series of photos to portray this, and potentially stimulate the same sensations in the viewers. They show the crumbling ceilings, the old, flakey paint on the walls, and musty cells with poor lighting.
See more photos in the printed issue - Issue 007, Spring 2020! Available in the Aislin Shop.