Question

Was the Walnut Street Jail the first true correctional institution in the U.S.?

1) True
2) False

Answer 1

The Walnut Street Jail is considered to be the first true correctional institution in the United States. It aimed to separate prisoners from the general public and provide them with work and religious instruction for rehabilitation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Walnut Street Jail is considered to be the first true correctional institution in the United States. It was built in Philadelphia in 1773 and was designed to separate prisoners from the general public and provide them with work and religious instruction. It was a departure from the previous methods of punishment, such as public whipping and execution, and aimed to rehabilitate prisoners.

Examples:

1. At the Walnut Street Jail, prisoners were given tasks like weaving, carpentry, and blacksmithing to teach them skills and provide them with opportunities for future employment.
2. The Walnut Street Jail was also known for its use of solitary confinement, which was intended to give prisoners time for reflection and penance.