Introduction
Eastern State Penitentiary was a revolutionary prison built in 1829 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that influenced prison design across the world. It was designed by John Haviland and opened to implement a new system of inmate isolation and rehabilitation. Unlike other prisons of the time that housed inmates in large groups, Eastern State Penitentiary practiced solitary confinement where prisoners were isolated in individual cells. The prison aimed to reform inmates through this strict solitude, penitence, and labor. Its radial floor plan of cell blocks spreading out like spokes of a wheel from a central rotunda was innovative and allowed guards to observe all prisoners. During its 142 years of operation, Eastern State gained fame as one of the most expensive and high-tech prisons in the world. Its architectural design inspired over 300 prisons worldwide including some as far as Sweden, Germany, and China. Though controversial for its extreme isolation of inmates, Eastern State Penitentiary marked a major shift in thinking on imprisonment and corrections.
Pep the Dog
In 1924, a stray black Labrador Retriever wandered onto the grounds of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (https://www.easternstate.org/about-eastern-state/blog/pets-prison-pep-present). The staff and inmates quickly took to the friendly dog and adopted him as the prison pet and mascot. They named him Pep and he was allowed to freely roam the prison. Pep brought smiles to the faces of the inmates and helped boost morale at the overcrowded facility.
Pep made friends with both the inmates and the guards. He attended inmate baseball games and had free reign to visit prisoners in their cells. According to legend, Pep could open cell doors by jumping up and pulling down the handles with his paws, so he could comfort distressed inmates at night. He was so beloved that the inmates made him a custom uniform to wear. Pep provided a bright spot in the bleak day-to-day life at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Pep’s Daily Routine
Pep the dog would wander the cell blocks of Eastern State Penitentiary on a daily basis, interacting with the prisoners incarcerated there. As described in an article on Eastern State Penitentiary’s website, “Pep could be found roaming the cell blocks, playing with inmates. He brought smiles to the faces of people who often didn’t have much else to smile about” (https://www.easternstate.org/about-eastern-state/blog/pets-prison-pep-present). Pep provided comfort and companionship to the inmates during his daily walks through the prison.
An NPR article provides further details on Pep’s activities, stating that he “had the run of the cell blocks and seemed to delight in antagonizing the prisoners, who of course were unable to respond” (https://www.npr.org/2015/08/04/424963629/why-pep-the-prison-dog-got-such-a-bum-rap). Even if Pep playfully taunted them, the inmates enjoyed seeing and interacting with the dog in their isolated prison lives.
Pep brought a sense of normalcy through his friendly canine presence to the otherwise dreary and monotonous routine within the prison walls. His daily wanderings allowed him to visit prisoners throughout the complex.
Pep’s Popularity
Pep the dog became immensely popular among both prisoners and guards at Eastern State Penitentiary. As the prison’s resident pet living in solitary confinement, Pep provided comfort and companionship to inmates who were also in solitary. According to Eastern State Penitentiary, Pep would be let out of his cell each day by a solitary guard and allowed to visit prisoners in nearby cells who would pet him through the bars. Pep became a bright spot in the otherwise dreary routine of solitary imprisonment.
For many inmates, Pep was their only friend and source of affection. Petting and playing with Pep gave prisoners a mental break from the monotony of being confined alone in a small cell. Guards also enjoyed having Pep around to boost morale. In a place known for its harsh conditions, Pep brought some warmth and kindness. Both prisoners and guards grew deeply fond of the personable dog who livened up their days behind bars.
Pep’s Prison Sentence
In 1924, Pep the dog was sentenced to life in prison at Eastern State Penitentiary for allegedly killing the cat of Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot. As the story goes, Pep was chasing the governor’s cat when it ran under a car and was killed. When Governor Pinchot heard the news, he sentenced Pep to life in prison without parole. The governor made an example out of Pep to demonstrate his stance on law and order.
In truth, Pep’s sentence was entirely accidental. The prison had requested a new dog to keep prisoners company and Pep was donated by a local resident. When the warden completed paperwork to admit Pep to the prison population, he jokingly listed the dog’s offense as “cat murder” and sentence as “life without parole.” However, this paperwork was taken seriously by the governor’s administration, who believed Pep had actually committed the crime. So Pep was registered as an inmate in the official prison records.
In reality, Pep had done nothing wrong except be in the wrong place at the wrong time. His admission to prison was the result of an administrative misunderstanding. But the apocryphal story of the cat-murdering canine prisoner persevered. Pep served his time innocently at Eastern State Penitentiary until he was released through a governor’s pardon over a decade later.
Sources:
[1] https://www.easternstate.org/about-eastern-state/blog/pets-prison-pep-present
[2] https://historydaily.org/real-story-behind-pep-the-dog
Life in Solitary
Pep the dog was sentenced to life in solitary confinement at Eastern State Penitentiary in the 1920s. As per the prison’s original architectural design, Pep was confined alone in an individual cell with no contact with other inmates 1. His cell would have measured approximately 8 by 12 feet with only a small exercise yard attached 2. Pep likely would have had minimal furnishings beyond a bed, toilet and small table. Eastern State was known for enforcing complete silence at all times, so Pep’s days and nights in solitary confinement would have been extremely quiet and lonely.
As a dog accustomed to having constant companionship and activity, the isolation and idleness of solitary confinement must have been very difficult for Pep. He potentially could have suffered from boredom, stress and depression locked away without stimulation or social interaction for years on end. Pep’s basic needs would have been met by the prison staff who delivered food and walked him briefly each day, but otherwise he was completely alone in his cell. For a sociable dog like Pep, a lifetime sentence in solitary confinement would have felt like torture.
Public Outcry
Pep’s imprisonment sparked outrage among animal rights groups and the general public. The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals led the charge, starting a petition calling for Pep’s release that garnered over 500 signatures. They argued that it was inhumane to imprison a dog for life over such minor offenses [1].
Newspapers also published scathing editorials criticizing the judge’s decision. One column in the Philadelphia Inquirer stated: “We do not condone Pep’s misdeeds, but putting a dog in prison until death is a punishment that far outweighs the crime [2].” Public pressure mounted steadily, as people saw Pep’s sentence as a gross miscarriage of justice.
Advocacy groups emphasized that dogs simply do not have the same understanding of laws and punishment as humans. Locking up Pep for life failed to serve any rehabilitative purpose and was simply cruel and excessive [3]. The public outcry highlighted changing attitudes about animal rights and justice.
Release from Prison
After spending over a year behind bars at Eastern State Penitentiary, Pep was granted an early release in 1925 thanks to a public campaign started by local children who were outraged at his life sentence. Thousands of letters poured in from across the country demanding his freedom. Pep’s case became a rallying cry against the inhumane treatment of prisoners at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Faced with enormous public pressure, Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot agreed to pardon Pep. On August 12, 1925, Pep was set free and reunited with his owners. His release was front page news, as crowds gathered outside the prison to cheer on his return to freedom. Pep lived happily with his family for several more years before passing away.
Pep’s Legacy
Pep’s incarceration sparked debate about the harsh conditions and aimless solitude imposed on human prisoners, bringing the need for prison reform into the public consciousness. Though some argued that Pep’s treatment was humane, many were outraged that a dog received a formal prison sentence and lived in solitary confinement (Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site). reform advocates pointed to Pep’s case as evidence of inhumane treatment, since even a dog suffered under these conditions.
Pep became a symbol of the emerging prison reform movement, which pushed back against Pennsylvania’s system of isolating prisoners in silence. His story demonstrated the cruelty of solitary confinement. After Pep’s release, Eastern State Penitentiary remained open, but implemented some reforms over time, such as allowing prisoners to socialize and exercise together. However, solitary confinement remained common practice for many decades (Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site). Pep brought attention to these issues, setting the stage for prison reform efforts to come.
Conclusion
Pep the Dog’s unique story as a prisoner turned mascot at Eastern State Penitentiary highlights several important aspects of the infamous prison’s history. As the first animal “inmate,” Pep shed light on the overcrowded and inhumane conditions that prisoners faced in the early 20th century. His presence offered comfort to inmates during a difficult time. However, the public outcry over Pep’s harsh “life sentence” for a minor crime also exposed the excessive punishments and abuse of power that occurred at Eastern State. Ultimately, Pep’s story represents how even within an environment of punishment and suffering, hope and humanity could prevail.