Eastern State Penitentiary was the first modern penitentiary. Its focus was on isolating the prisoners to give them to for penance; to think about themselves and who they are. Terms ranged from 8 months to 2 years of solitary confinement. This cell is where they would spend 23 hours a day, alone. The other hour was spent in half hour increments in their private 8 x 12 ft exercise yard, alone.