Old Allegheny County Jail (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

 prison, H. H. Richardson buildings, local government, closed, 1886_construction

The "old" Allegheny County Prison, an historical landmark, was designed by H.H. Richardson and opened in 1884. Despite its architectural significance the old Jail's physical plant embodied an operational philosophy that was outdated by the time it was opened, the "Auburn" model. The Auburn model had rows of cells set back to back, separated by "waterways" for utilities. The cells faced narrow walkways as opposed to the Pennsylvania System that had cells facing each other, ringing an open space.

The Jail had tiers (called blocks) five stories tall. Instituted in New York State's Auburn Prison in the 1840's, the model's correctional philosophy was austere and stern, to give opportunity for "reflection on past deeds in silence." It was abandoned as a correctional philosophy long before Richardson employed the physical embodiment of it in the design of this Jail.

The old Jail is located on Ross Street, between Fifth and Forbes Avenues in downtown Pittsburgh. It now houses the juvenile and family sections of the Common Pleas Court. A footbridge, known as the "Bridge of Sighs," connects the old Jail and the Courthouse.

www.alleghenycounty.us/jail/history.aspx