The Quakers were instrumental in restructuring the first jail in America (originally built in 1776 in Philadelphia) in order to introduce a humanitarian approach to housing inmates and changing their behaviour.

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The Quakers were indeed instrumental in reforming the prison system, including the Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia, which is considered America's first penitentiary. They introduced reforms that focused on rehabilitation and humane treatment of inmates, aiming to change behavior through reflection and penitence, hence the term "penitentiary."

The Quakers Were Instrumental in Restructuring the First Jail in America