Alfred Fleisher (1878 - 1928) was already a philanthropist, patron of the arts and prominent real estate developer when he was elected President of the Board of Trustees of Eastern State Penitentiary in 1924. He was appointed to the board by Governor Gifford Pinchot, who was impressed by Mr. Fleisher's campaign to save a young Jewish inmate from the electric chair.

During his tenure as President, he devoted significant effort toward promoting reforms he believed would change the future lives of prisoners.

Because he believed that all inmates should learn a trade to reform themselves, he pushed for proper work space, often outfitting workshops with his own personal funds. He also campaigned to close Eastern State and replace it with a state-of the-art facility outside of the city with a uniform employment system. This effort earned him national attention as a prison reformer. At the time of his death, Graterford Prison was well under construction.

Mr. Fleisher was also devoted to improving the spiritual well being of Eastern State's small Jewish population. The Synagogue was established and most active during his time as President. He promoted and attended all Jewish services there, including Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Simkhat Torah, Passover, Hanukah, and Purim.

Upon his sudden death in 1928 the Jewish inmates erected a bronze tablet in his memory in the Synagogue and dedicated it in his name "as an expression of their sense of loss...and as a lasting memorial of the kindness and justice he has always shown."