The Collaboratory for Justice Education at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site will unite a group of educators driven by a shared passion for justice education.
January 9, 2024
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (ESPHS) announces the creation of the Collaboratory for Justice Education and seeks applicants to join its inaugural cohort. Embodying the essence of a "collaboratory," the group’s collective efforts will unite a group of educators driven by a shared passion for justice education to develop national learning resources.
Through the Justice Education Collaboratory, members will contribute to creating impactful tools tailored for educators and students nationwide. The Collaboratory’s mission also extends beyond the traditional education realm, reaching into the corridors of the justice system and broader communities.
“We at Eastern State, like many of the teachers and thought leaders in our communities, are passionate about the transformative power of education as a catalyst for change,” says Dr. Kerry Sautner, President and CEO. “And we believe that, together, we can find innovative solutions for understanding complex issues, expand our nation’s understanding of justice, and illuminate the path toward a more equitable and fair justice system in America.”
ESPHS encourages anyone who is passionate about justice education to apply. The application process will open in late January; applicants are encouraged to declare their interest now at EasternState.org/JusticeEdCollab.
About Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison.
Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held approximately 85,000 people during its 142 years of operation, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and “Scarface” Al Capone.
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is open for tours year-round. Admission includes “The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour, narrated by actor Steve Buscemi; award-winning exhibits; and a critically acclaimed series of artist installations.
In recent years, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Exhibitions award by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the nation’s highest award in exhibition development and design, for its exhibit Prisons Today: Questions in the Age of Mass Incarceration, as well as the Institutional Award for Special Achievement from the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and the Trustee Emeritus Award for Stewardship from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The LEAD Fellowship, formerly called The Returning Citizens Tour Guide Project, has won the EdCom Award for Innovation in Museum Education by the American Alliance of Museums.
For more information, visit EasternState.org and follow Eastern State Penitentiary on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, and Tik Tok.
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Are you passionate about justice education as a catalyst for societal change? Apply for @EasternState Penitentiary’s all-new Collaboratory for Justice Education. Learn more and declare your interest at https://easternstate.org/justiceedcollab #JusticeEd #JusticeEdCollab
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