Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia

**BereniceUK** · 20th August 2010, 16:06

121 served, 1 died for his country

Amazing story behind this memorial - during the Second World War* some of the prisoners at ESP petitioned the governor to be allowed to fight for their country. As you can see, 121 were permitted to join up but I can't find any references to what units they might have served in. As only one out of 121 died does that mean that most didn't serve in combat units?

After the end of hostilities the survivors had to return to ESP to complete their sentences. I wonder if they got any time knocked off for having served in the Forces?

How poignant that no names are recorded, only the prisoners' numbers.

What an amazing movie that would make

* As far as I remember being told, while there, it was WWII but the memorial only says 'The World War'

My own photo of the one that died didn't come out too good so I'll re-photograph that bit when I return to ESP in 2011

**oildrum** · 21st August 2010, 13:14

Interesting bit of history, good find B

**fisha** · 22nd August 2010, 12:03

Fascinating stuff.... Be good to find out more about the people
behind the numbers.

Had a look on their website, and have to say it looks a very
very intersting place indeed. I see some of 12 Monkeys was
filmed there ( one of my fav films ) and they've even kitted-out
Al Capone's cell as it was!

oh, and I love the story about the Warders dog!

I'd love to visit