With so much mental torment and misery, it’s no surprise that prisons are haunted. Let’s get ready to explore three of the worlds scariest haunted prisons.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
With its castle like facade looming over the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Eastern State Penitentiary is one of America’s most infamous haunted locations.
Opened in 1829, the penitentiary operated under what became known as the “Pennsylvania system,” believing that solitary confinement was the best form of rehabilitation. “Sit in the corner and think about what you’ve done,” taken to the extreme.
Prisoners were not allowed to interact with one another, and the construction of the prison was said to mimic a church. The doors were short, forcing prisoners to bow as they entered – although this also proved practical, as to prevent a prisoner from standing upright to attack a guard. A single sky light lit the cell, representing the “eye of God” bearing down on the prisoners as they reflected on their life of crime.
Each cell had its individual exercise yard surrounded by high walls so as to prevent all communication between prisoners, who’s exercise was synchronised so neighbouring prisoners would not be able to communicate.
On the rare occasions a prisoner was to leave their cell, guards would place a hood over their heads to prevent recognition.
All in all, Eastern State Penitentiary was not a nice place to be. The only exception is seemingly the cell of infamous gangster, Al Capone, who spent eight months in Eastern State and who’s cell contained luxuries like a desk and radio.
Still, it’s no wonder that the prison’s cold stone walls are said to contain many a spirit. Many a paranormal team has visited Eastern State, reporting paranormal activity such as sighting ghostly figures, unexplained cold spots and the sensation of being touched or scratched.
Eastern State Penitentiary is now a museum to its past, offering visitors a glimpse inside its nightmarish cells, and also hosting art exhibitions and Halloween events.
Alcatraz, San Fransisco, California
Known as “The Rock”, Alcatraz is perhaps one of the worlds most famous prisons, leaving its stamp on inn popular culture.
This island in the San Fransisco Bay was first a lighthouse and military fort and prison, before opening as a federal prison in 1934.
Due to the nature of its island location as well the strong currents surrounding it, Alcatraz was touted as being inescapable – although many believe at least one escape attempt was successful, though this is debated.
Alcatraz’s harsh conditions and numerous deaths have resulted in a reputation for hauntings, although Native American legends tell of malevolent spirits on haunting the island.
Mysterious apparitions, cold spots and whispering voices have been reported throughout the prison, but D Block and Cell 14D are particularly renowned.
Gloucester Prison, Gloucestershire, UK
Built on the site of Gloucester Castle, Gloucester Prison was first opened in 1792 and ran until its closure in 2013.
Throughout that time, it was the site of 123 executions, many of them remaining on the property in unmarked graves. With this history, along with a handful of natural deaths, Gloucester Prison has become renowned for its haunted reputation.
I was lucky enough to venture into the prison with Spookanatural Explores, and we caught all manner of strange noises, EVPs and anomalous phenomena, particularly in A Wing, Cell 25 which – we discovered after a little research – is considered particularly haunted by the ghost of a woman named Jenny.
Although the prison did one hold female prisoners, Jenny herself is said to be connected to the land before the prison was built – likely during its time as a castle.
One particular legend tells of a group of (living) prisoners holding a seance in cell 25 to contact the spirit of Jenny, only for their session to end with the throwing of books and plant pots by unseen hands.
We conducted a seance of our own in the aptly named Seance Room, and although we did not contact Jenny, we may have spoken to another spirit who once haunted the prison or the castle before its construction.
Find out more and watch our investigation yourself with our Gloucester Prison playlist:
Don’t forget to subscribe and follow our social channels below!
The Hawthorn Files 