The first prison built was in Pennsylvania called Walnut Street jail. Following behind that was the Penitentiary Act in 1179. In 1786, the state of Pennsylvania passed a law which mandated that all convicts who had not been sentenced to death would be placed in penal servitude to do public works projects. also back in those times they would instead of police just have people who walked around with something to protect the community. In the late 1800's women weren’t known for committing crimes , only two women were housed in prison at Deer lodge Montana. The Indiana women's prison was established in 1873 as the first adult female correctional facility as well as the first maximum security female correctional facility. Throughout the years all prisons in general have came a long ways from their health issues to food. they now have programs that have them rehabilitate, gives them the medications they need, hospital support, as well as helping the women withy