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{{Short description|Prison in Pittsburgh}}
{{Infobox prison {{Infobox prison
| prison_name = State Correctional Institution – Pittsburgh | prison_name = State Correctional Institution – Pittsburgh
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| coordinates = {{Coord|40|28|13|N|80|2|28|W|region:US-PA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | coordinates = {{Coord|40|28|13|N|80|2|28|W|region:US-PA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| status = Closed | status = Closed
| classification = Low-Security, Medium-Security | classification = Low-Security, Medium-Security at its closing. However for many years it was Maximum security.
| capacity = | capacity =
| population = 1,500 | population = 1,500
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| prisoners = | prisoners =
}} }}
'''State Correctional Institution&nbsp;– Pittsburgh''' (historically known as the "]," "Western Pen," and "The Wall") was a low-to-medium security correctional institution, operated by the ], located<ref>(Retrieved: 5/4/2011)</ref> about five miles west of Downtown ] and within city limits. The facility is on the banks of the ], and is located on 21 acres of land. (12 acres within the perimeter fence.) It was the first prison west of the ] as well as a major ] prison in 1863–1864. '''Jordan Correction''' (historically known as the "]," "Western Pen," and "The Wall") was a low-to-medium security correctional institution, operated by the ],<ref>(Retrieved: 5/4/2011){{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903061316/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/hide_pittsburgh/11400}}</ref>{{failed verification|reason="Western Pen" and "The Wall" are not mentioned in the cited source|date=December 2023}} located about five miles west of Downtown ] and within city limits. The facility is on the banks of the ], and is located on 21 acres of land. (12 acres within the perimeter fence.) It was the first prison west of the ] as well as a major ] prison in 1863–1864.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}


On January 26, 2017, ] ] announced the closing of this facility.<ref name="closing">{{cite news |last1=McConville |first1=Emily |title=As shutdown of SCI Pittsburgh nears, inmates and staff move elsewhere |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2017/06/09/SCI-Pittsburgh-closing-western-penitentiary-closure-state-prison-pa/stories/201706070175 |accessdate=21 October 2019 |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=Jun 9, 2017}}</ref> On January 26, 2017, ] ] announced the closing of this facility.<ref name="closing">{{cite news |last1=McConville |first1=Emily |title=As shutdown of SCI Pittsburgh nears, inmates and staff move elsewhere |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2017/06/09/SCI-Pittsburgh-closing-western-penitentiary-closure-state-prison-pa/stories/201706070175 |accessdate=21 October 2019 |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=Jun 9, 2017}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
Western Penitentiary was originally built in 1826 a few blocks east of the current facility by the architect Strickland.<ref>n° 295 de la revue : Architecture intérieure, CREE - 1977</ref> Western Penitentiary was designed by ] and built in 1826 two miles south-east from the current facility by the architect Strickland.<ref>n° 295 de la revue : Architecture intérieure, CREE - 1977</ref> The original site is now home to the ].


During ] visit to the city March 20–22, 1842, he visited the original prison and some scholars believe he based the classic '']'' on conditions at the facility. During ] visit to the city March 20–22, 1842, he visited the original prison.
] ]


The original location is also famous for housing 118 ] after their capture in ] a dozen miles to the west. It held them from August 5, 1863 until they were transferred to a military fort in ] on March 18, 1864. Although conditions were good for the time, at least eight confederates died during the winter, one while attempting escape.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lhs15201.org/articles_b.asp?ID=8 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-05-22 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040119220653/http://www.lhs15201.org/articles_b.asp?ID=8 |archivedate=2004-01-19 |df= }}</ref> The original location housed 118 ] after their capture in ] a dozen miles to the west. It held them from August 5, 1863 until they were transferred to a military fort in ] on March 18, 1864. Although conditions were good for the time, at least eight confederates died during the winter, one while attempting escape.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lhs15201.org/articles_b.asp?ID=8 |title=Lawrenceville Historical Society - Resources&#91;Articles&#93; |accessdate=2011-05-22 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040119220653/http://www.lhs15201.org/articles_b.asp?ID=8 |archivedate=2004-01-19 }}</ref>


The present facility opened on its current site in 1882, operating as one of the ]'s first correctional facilities, which at the time, held some maximum-security inmates. In January 2005, after transferring the inmates to ],<ref> Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Retrieved:5/4/2011)</ref> the facility was ]. In 2007, the facility re-opened with its current name.<ref>(Retrieved: 5/4/2011)</ref> It houses low and medium security inmates who require ] treatment. The present facility opened on its current site in 1882, operating as one of the ]'s first correctional facilities, which at the time, held some maximum-security inmates. In January 2005, after transferring the inmates to ],<ref> Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Retrieved:5/4/2011)</ref> the facility was ]. In 2007, the facility re-opened with its current name.<ref>(Retrieved: 5/4/2011)</ref> Until it was closed in 2017, it housed low and medium security inmates who required ] treatment.

The campus was listed on the ] in 2022.<ref>{{NRHPweekly}}</ref>

]


===G-20 Protests=== ===G-20 Protests===
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|archive-date=9 November 2009 |archive-date=9 November 2009
|url-status=live |url-status=live
⚫ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|df=
⚫ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/10/man-arrested-twittering-goes-court-eff-has-documen |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/10/man-arrested-twittering-goes-court-eff-has-documen
|title=Man Arrested for Twittering Goes to Court, EFF Has the Documents |title=Man Arrested for Twittering Goes to Court, EFF Has the Documents
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|archive-date=26 November 2009 |archive-date=26 November 2009
|url-status=live |url-status=live
⚫ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|df=
⚫ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20091006_watch_what_you_tweet/?ln |url=http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20091006_watch_what_you_tweet/?ln
|title=Watch What You Tweet |title=Watch What You Tweet
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|archive-date=29 November 2009 |archive-date=29 November 2009
|url-status=live |url-status=live
⚫ }}</ref>
|df=
⚫ }}</ref>



== Notable prisoners == == Notable prisoners ==
⚫ * ], the leader of a sex cult, served part of his sentence at Western Penitentiary. In 1983 two of his followers drowned near the prison in what authorities believe was an attempt to break him out.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=26041576&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjg5NzgzMDEzLCJpYXQiOjE1NTUyNjExODYsImV4cCI6MTU1NTM0NzU4Nn0.wCtlxjzS3UT-imjFgnWnVvUtFanN7sEKMdgb22izE2s|title=No arrests made in botched breakout|last1=Lynch|first1=Charles|date=8 August 1983|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=14 April 2019|last2=Tkach|first2=Harry|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.}}</ref> He was first transferred to Western Penitentiary after plans for him to escape from ] by ] were uncovered. After the botched breakout in 1983, Feigley was transferred to ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cast of figures in sewer escape cult |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=31159520&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjg5NzgyODg5LCJpYXQiOjE1NTY3Njk4MzcsImV4cCI6MTU1Njg1NjIzN30.ygbJIAgPv2DSVdqQoNuZ2w46p-AylYWyanR5DOTpUO4 |accessdate=2 May 2019 |agency=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=6 Aug 1983}}</ref>


⚫ *], who unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate businessman ] served 14 years the Western Penitentiary. That experience was the basis of his first book, '']''.
⚫ * ], the leader of a sex cult, served part of his sentence at Western Penitentiary. In 1983 two of his followers drowned near the prison in what authorities believe was an attempt to break him out.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=26041576&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjg5NzgzMDEzLCJpYXQiOjE1NTUyNjExODYsImV4cCI6MTU1NTM0NzU4Nn0.wCtlxjzS3UT-imjFgnWnVvUtFanN7sEKMdgb22izE2s|title=No arrests made in botched breakout|last=Lynch|first=Charles|date=8 August 1983|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=14 April 2019|last2=Tkach|first2=Harry|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.}}</ref> He was first transferred to Western Penitentiary after plans for him to escape from ] by ] were uncovered. After the botched breakout in 1983, Feigley was transferred to ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cast of figures in sewer escape cult |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=31159520&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjg5NzgyODg5LCJpYXQiOjE1NTY3Njk4MzcsImV4cCI6MTU1Njg1NjIzN30.ygbJIAgPv2DSVdqQoNuZ2w46p-AylYWyanR5DOTpUO4 |accessdate=2 May 2019 |agency=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=6 Aug 1983}}</ref>


⚫ *Nuno Pontes and five others who escaped from the prison feature in the Season 1, Episode 2 of the ] TV ] series, ]. The episode is titled "The Pittsburgh Six". They are also featured in the Season 1, Episode 4 of the ] TV series, ].
⚫ *], who unsuccessful attempted to assassinate businessman ] served 14 years the Western Penitentiary. That experience was the basis of his first book, '']''.


*], who filed a lawsuit against Satan and his servants in United States District Court.
⚫ *Nuno Pontes and five others who escaped from the prison feature in the Season 1, Episode 2 of the ] TV ] series, '']]. The episode is titled "The Pittsburgh Six".


==Fictional Portrayals== ==Fictional Portrayals==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:State Correctional Institution - Pittsburgh}} {{DEFAULTSORT:State Correctional Institution - Pittsburgh}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
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Latest revision as of 06:49, 26 August 2024

Prison in Pittsburgh
State Correctional Institution – Pittsburgh
State Correctional Institution – Pittsburgh is located in PennsylvaniaState Correctional Institution – PittsburghLocation in Pennsylvania
LocationPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°28′13″N 80°2′28″W / 40.47028°N 80.04111°W / 40.47028; -80.04111
StatusClosed
Security classLow-Security, Medium-Security at its closing. However for many years it was Maximum security.
Population1,500
Opened1826
1882 (Present location)
Closed2005–20
Former nameWestern Penitentiary
Managed byPennsylvania Department of Corrections
GovernorTom Wolf
WardenMark V. Capozza

Jordan Correction (historically known as the "Western Penitentiary," "Western Pen," and "The Wall") was a low-to-medium security correctional institution, operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, located about five miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh and within city limits. The facility is on the banks of the Ohio River, and is located on 21 acres of land. (12 acres within the perimeter fence.) It was the first prison west of the Atlantic Plain as well as a major Civil War prison in 1863–1864.

On January 26, 2017, Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf announced the closing of this facility.

History

Western Penitentiary was designed by John Haviland and built in 1826 two miles south-east from the current facility by the architect Strickland. The original site is now home to the National Aviary.

During Charles Dickens visit to the city March 20–22, 1842, he visited the original prison.

Group of "Morgan's Men" while prisoners of war in Western Penitentiary, Pennsylvania: (l to r) Captain William E. Curry, 8th Kentucky Cavalry; Lieutenant Andrew J. Church, 8th Kentucky Cavalry; Lieutenant Leeland Hathaway, 14th Kentucky Cavalry; Lieutenant Henry D. Brown, 10th Kentucky Cavalry; Lieutenant William Hays, 20th Kentucky Cavalry. All were captured with John Hunt Morgan in Ohio. 1863

The original location housed 118 Confederate soldiers after their capture in Morgan's Raid a dozen miles to the west. It held them from August 5, 1863 until they were transferred to a military fort in New Jersey on March 18, 1864. Although conditions were good for the time, at least eight confederates died during the winter, one while attempting escape.

The present facility opened on its current site in 1882, operating as one of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's first correctional facilities, which at the time, held some maximum-security inmates. In January 2005, after transferring the inmates to SCI-Fayette, the facility was mothballed. In 2007, the facility re-opened with its current name. Until it was closed in 2017, it housed low and medium security inmates who required substance abuse treatment.

The campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.

The abandoned facility in 2023

G-20 Protests

During the 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh summit, the prison was used as the main processing facility for rioters and protesters that were detained and arrested during the week-long summit.

Notable prisoners

  • George Feigley, the leader of a sex cult, served part of his sentence at Western Penitentiary. In 1983 two of his followers drowned near the prison in what authorities believe was an attempt to break him out. He was first transferred to Western Penitentiary after plans for him to escape from SCI-Graterford by helicopter were uncovered. After the botched breakout in 1983, Feigley was transferred to SCI-Huntingdon.
  • Gerald Mayo, who filed a lawsuit against Satan and his servants in United States District Court.

Fictional Portrayals

The 1978 film The Brink's Job the character Stanley Gusciora is sentenced to 20 years at the "Western Penitentiary at Pittsburgh".

References

  1. PA Dept. of Corrections – SCI Pittsburgh Webpage(Retrieved: 5/4/2011)Archived 2011-09-03 at the Wayback Machine
  2. McConville, Emily (Jun 9, 2017). "As shutdown of SCI Pittsburgh nears, inmates and staff move elsewhere". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  3. n° 295 de la revue : Architecture intérieure, CREE - 1977
  4. "Lawrenceville Historical Society - Resources[Articles]". Archived from the original on 2004-01-19. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
  5. Fayette residents hope prison holds promise of better future Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Retrieved:5/4/2011)
  6. PA Dept. of Corrections – SCI Pittsburgh Webpage(Retrieved: 5/4/2011)
  7. "Weekly listing". National Park Service.
  8. "G-20 Summit vandal found guilty of all charges". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 26, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  9. "Twitter Crackdown: NYC Activist Arrested for Using Social Networking Site during G-20 Protest in Pittsburgh". Democracy Now!. 2009-10-06. Archived from the original on 9 November 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  10. "Man Arrested for Twittering Goes to Court, EFF Has the Documents". Electronic Frontier Foundation. 2009-10-05. Archived from the original on 26 November 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  11. Amy Goodman (2009-10-06). "Watch What You Tweet". truthdig. Archived from the original on 29 November 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  12. Lynch, Charles; Tkach, Harry (8 August 1983). "No arrests made in botched breakout". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  13. "Cast of figures in sewer escape cult". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 6 Aug 1983. Retrieved 2 May 2019.

External links

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Corrections prisons
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Minimum security
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Above facilities are male-only unless noted by ♀(female) or ♂♀ (unisex)
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