Holmesburg Prison, opened in 1896 and closed in 1995, had a dark history of riots, torture, corruption, medical experimentation, and murder. The prison was initially designed for "separate penal confinement" but became overcrowded, leading to violence. In 1938, prisoners on a hunger strike were subjected to extreme heat, resulting in four deaths. Other incidents included stabbings, riots, and sexual assault. Dr. Albert M. Kligman conducted unethical medical experiments on prisoners from 1951 to 1974. The prison's existence serves as a reminder of humanity's disturbing past.
