How America’s most wanted mobster turned his jail cell into a penthouse with rugs and radio

Al Capone’s Cell at Eastern State Penitentiary

One newspaper called it luxurious. Another said it was nothing special. The truth about Al Capone’s 1929 cell at Eastern State Penitentiary got muddy fast.

What stayed constant was the radio, the rugs, and the fact that Public Enemy Number One shared his space with an embezzler named Bill Coleman.

This is how the Chicago gangster did eight months of hard time in style, and how you can see his reconstructed cell today.

The Arrest at the Stanley Theatre

Police stopped Capone outside the Stanley Theatre on May 16, 1929. He and bodyguard Frank Rio had just watched a movie while waiting for their train to Chicago. Officers found hidden guns on both men.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for Capone. Just three months earlier, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre left seven rival gang members dead in Chicago.

While Capone stayed in Florida during the shootings, many thought he ordered the killings. His sudden arrest in Philadelphia raised questions.

Swift Justice in Philadelphia

Judge John Walsh gave Capone the maximum one-year sentence. Philadelphia courts were known for harsh punishments compared to other cities.

Capone never appeared in court himself. His lawyer pleaded guilty for him, avoiding a trial. The sentence surprised many who expected the powerful gangster to escape punishment.

Chicago police had tried and failed many times to convict Capone despite his obvious crimes. Philadelphia succeeded where Chicago couldn’t – they put Capone behind bars.

The Park Avenue Block

Prison officials moved Capone to Eastern State on August 8, 1929. They placed him in an area inmates called the “Park Avenue Block” where famous prisoners stayed.

Eastern State had an impressive design. Architect John Haviland created a wheel-shaped layout with hallways spreading from the center like spokes.

When it opened in 1829, Eastern State was the world’s first true penitentiary. The name came from the idea that alone time would make criminals feel sorry for their actions. By 1929, the prison held far more inmates than planned.

The Luxurious Cell Furnishings

Newspapers soon reported that Capone enjoyed special comforts. On August 20, 1929, the Philadelphia Public Ledger described his unusual cell.

Nice furniture filled the space where other inmates had only basic items. Soft rugs covered the cold floor instead of bare concrete.

Beautiful paintings hung on walls that were blank for most prisoners. A polished desk with a lamp created a homey feeling. These extras turned Capone’s cell from a harsh prison room into something more like a small apartment.

The Radio That Played Waltzes

The most special item in Capone’s cell was his radio. The newspapers called it a “powerful cabinet radio receiver of handsome design.”

Capone liked listening to waltz music on this device. In 1929, owning a radio was still somewhat rare, making this a notable luxury. The wooden cabinet radio looked like a nice piece of furniture. These models cost what average workers earned in several months.

Years later, a teen visitor to the museum pointed out that the displayed radio came from 1942, long after Capone left.

Debating the Cell’s True Luxury

Not everyone agreed about how well Capone lived in prison. The Philadelphia Record told a different story just one day after the Public Ledger’s report.

This rival newspaper claimed Capone’s cell matched those of many other inmates. They said he shared his space with an embezzler named Bill Coleman.

According to the Record, the cell’s main feature was just a smoking stand – a small table with an ashtray. The paper stated “it is by no means the most luxuriously furnished cell in the prison.” These conflicting stories raised doubts about Capone’s special treatment.

Warden Herbert Smith’s Public Stance

Eastern State’s Warden Herbert Smith denied giving Capone special treatment. “This man comes here to me as just another prisoner,” Smith told reporters.

As Capone’s release neared, Smith stuck to this story. “Nobody is shown any favoritism, millionaire or pauper,” he insisted. Smith claimed Capone earned early release through good behavior. “Capone worked hard and observed every rule,” the warden stated.

Despite these claims, Smith’s actions during Capone’s release showed he knew the gangster needed special handling.

Conspiracy Theories About the Arrest

Rumors spread that Capone planned his own arrest to hide from Chicago gang violence. The timing after the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre fed these theories. Some thought Capone needed protection from angry gang members. Others believed he wanted to escape growing police pressure.

Capone denied these ideas his whole life. “I would like to set at rest the report that I went into jail to dodge something,” he said after his release. His associate Jake Guzik suggested another explanation: police double-crossed Capone to embarrass him despite prior arrangements.

Release for Good Behavior

Capone served seven months before his release on March 17, 1930. Prison officials let him out early for good behavior. Warden Smith took unusual steps for the release. He secretly moved Capone to another prison the day before to prevent possible violence.

About 2,000 people gathered at Eastern State hoping to see the famous gangster. They left disappointed when Smith announced Capone had already gone. “We certainly stuck one on your eye,” Smith later told the crowd. “The big guy went out in a brown automobile.”

After Eastern State

Capone’s problems grew after his time in Philadelphia. Just one week after release, the Chicago Crime Commission named him “Public Enemy #1.” Federal agents finally caught up with Capone in 1931. They convicted him of tax evasion instead of violent crimes and gave him 11 years.

Capone went to Atlanta Penitentiary before transfer to Alcatraz. His health worsened from untreated syphilis during this time. Officials released Capone in 1939 after he served about 7½ years. His mental abilities had declined severely, ending his criminal career.

Visiting Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site

You can visit Al Capone’s cell at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site at 2027 Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia.

Tickets can be purchased online. The standard audio tour includes Capone’s cell and runs about 90 minutes.

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