Missouri has a rich and notorious history when it comes to haunted prisons. One of the most well-known haunted prisons in Missouri is the Missouri State Penitentiary, also known as “The Walls.” The penitentiary was operational from the years 1836 to 2004 and housed the most notorious offenders in the state. Over the years, the penitentiary gained the reputation for being one of the most violent and inhuman institutions in the state, and the consequence has been numerous reports of paranormal activity within the walls. Another haunted prison in Missouri is the Old Joliet Prison, which was operational between the years 1858 and 2002. The prison had the reputation for being severely overcrowded and inhuman in living conditions, leading to rampant rates of violence and death within the walls.
Notorious Inmates and Infamous Events
Some of the most notorious prisoners in the history of the state were incarcerated at the Missouri State Penitentiary and the Old Joliet Prison. From infamous gangsters to serial killers, the two prisons kept the most notorious criminals in Missouri. Perhaps the most well-known prisoner at the Missouri State Penitentiary was James Earl Ray, who killed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Ray’s time at the penitentiary was marked by numerous attempts at escape as well as incidents of violence that helped give the institution its dark and ominous reputation.
The Old Joliet abandoned prisons, also had its fair share of infamous inmates, among them being John Wayne Gacy, who received the death penalty for killing 33 young boys and men. Gacy’s life at the prison was marked by his manipulative and charming personality as he won the hearts of inmates and guards alike. His period at the prison has seen numerous paranormal activity reported by several visitors who claim to have spotted his ghost within the confines of the prison. These infamous inmates and the heinous crimes they committed have made these haunted prisons all the more eerie and foreboding.
Ghostly Encounters and Paranormal Activity
Both the Missouri State Penitentiary and the Old Joliet Prison have gained reputations for ghost sightings and bizarre paranormal activity. Visitors to these haunted prisons have reported everything: disembodied voices, dark shadows, and unusual sounds. Some have even claimed to see full-body apparitions of the inmates and guards that used to live in these facilities, adding to the overall eerie feeling one gets when in these old structures. Perhaps the most prevalent accounts of paranormal activity within these haunted prisons include the echoing sound of footsteps down empty hallways and cellblocks. Some have also reported the sudden drops in temperature and cold spots that cannot be explained. In addition to these physical manifestations, several visitors have also taken photographs that confirm the existence of ghostly apparitions and unexplained anomalies when they visit these haunted prisons.
Visiting abandoned prisons: Safety and precautions
Exploring abandoned prisons can be an exhilarating and thrilling experience, but one has to take precautions while doing so. Most abandoned haunted prisons are in dilapidated condition, having structures that are crumbling and unsafe and capable of causing injury to the visitors. You have to keep the surroundings in mind and take precautions accordingly in order to have a safe and enjoyable visit.
It’s necessary to research the history and status of the facility before you visit an abandoned prisons. Researching the history and status will enable you to better know the dangers and hazards you might encounter when you visit the site. You should also prepare for the visit by dressing appropriately in sturdy shoes and protective clothing that will shield you from hazards and debris.
When you tour abandoned prisons, you must exercise caution and stay away from structures that are not sound or that pose the risk of injury. You must also respect the property and refrain from damaging or defacing any area within the complex. If you take these precautions for safety measures, you will have a safe and enjoyable visit at these old and haunted prisons.
Haunted Prison Tours and Attractions:
Haunted prison tours are among the most popular thrill-seeker and paranormal enthusiast attractions in recent years. They give visitors the opportunity to tour the dark and ominous history of these haunted prisons, typically accompanied by veteran tour guides who are familiar with the history of the facility and the frightening tales of ghost sightings.
Most haunted prison tours also give visitors the chance to participate in paranormal investigations by means of equipment like EMF meters, EVP recorders, and infrared cameras in order to collect evidence for supernatural activity
Ghostly Encounters: Exploring the Spooky Prisons in Missouri
Missouri has many haunted and abandoned prisons with rich and storied pasts. One of the most well-known is the Missouri State Penitentiary, which operated between the years of 1836 and 2004. The prison made a reputation for itself as being one that provided harsh conditions and notorious inmates, and the end result was a hotbed of paranormal activity. Another well-known prison is the Old Joliet Prison, which operated between the years 1858 and 2002. It was the site where the classic movie “The Blues Brothers” was filmed and has the reputation of being haunted by the spirits of former inmates. These prisons have pasts that are riddled with violence, escape attempts, and tragic events that all contribute to the reputation that they are haunted.
Missouri State Penitentiary, or “The Walls,” was the largest in the United States and the home of the most infamous offenders in the country. The history of the penitentiary is one of rioting and executions and brutal living conditions. Old Joliet Prison also has a dark history, with prisoner abuse and overcrowding. Both these prisons have left great impacts on the surrounding towns where they are located and the fact that they are haunted and abandoned only adds to the mystique. These prisons remind us of the bygone years of the American justice system and are still great draws for visitors who wish to experience the haunted history.
Most Notorious Prisoners and Incidents
Both the Missouri State Penitentiary and the Old Joliet Prison have been home to some of the most notorious inmates in U.S. history. Serial killers and gangsters alike have called these facilities home. Perhaps one of the most infamous inmates at the Missouri State Penitentiary was the man who killed Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968: James Earl Ray. Ray’s time at the facility included attempts at escape and physical fights, further cementing the reputation of the penitentiary as haunted. The Old Joliet Prison also hosted its fair share of infamous inmates, including John Wayne Gacy, who killed 33 young boys and men. Gacy’s time at the prison has also contributed to the facility’s reputation as being haunted because his ghost has been said to haunt the cellblocks.Besides notorious inmates, both the prisons have also been the site for tragic events that have gone on to contribute largely towards the haunted reputation. Missouri State
Penitentiary has seen many riots and brutal events, one of which in 1954 involved a fire that killed several inmates. Tragedy also befell the Old Joliet Prison in the form of a riot in 1975 that cost three inmates their lives. These events have also gone on to contribute towards the paranormal activity observed at both the prisons where visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and unusual events. The haunted history at these prisons attracts visitors who wish to experience the dark and mysterious history behind these notorious places.
Exploring the Paranormal and the Supernatural Visitors to the Missouri State Penitentiary and the Old Joliet Prison have reported all types of paranormal activity. From unexplained noises to ghost encounters, these prisons have become known as being haunted. Some visitors have heard footsteps and whispers and other unexplained noises as they make their way through the cell blocks and other buildings within the prisons. Others have reported seeing ghosts and sensing fear or dread while inside the walls of the prisons. These encounters have only added to the mystique of these abandoned and haunted prisons, Exploring Haunted and Abandoned Prisons in Missouri.
In addition to personal experiences, there have been numerous reported cases of paranormal activity in both prisons. Ghost hunters and paranormal investigators have captured EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) recordings, inexplicable orb photographs, and other indications of paranormal activity. Some guests have even indicated physical contact in the way of cold spots or being touched by unseen hands. These reports have
only helped to fuel the mystique of these haunted prisons and attract thrill-seekers and paranormal investigators from all over the country. The paranormal and haunted activity in these prisons continues to be a topic of fascination for the supernatural.
The Urban Legends and the Ghost Stories
Both the Missouri State Penitentiary and the Old Joliet Prison are full of haunting legends and urban legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. From tales of vicious inmates to ghost sightings, these two prisons have intrigued the public when it comes to learning about their dark and mysterious history. Maybe the most famous urban legend concerning the Missouri State Penitentiary is the one about “Fast Jack,” who allegedly made a deal with the devil for his soul. Fast Jack’s ghost allegedly still haunts the prison today looking for revenge on the individuals who wronged him while he was in the penitentiary.
Old Joliet Prison also has its own share of ghost stories and urban legends, ranging from ghostly encounters and bizarre occurrences. The most popular legend is that of “Bloody Red,” who was a former prisoner at the prison and was executed at the prison. The legend has it that he continues to haunt the cellblocks. People have reported spotting his ghost walking the corridors and leaving a trail of blood wherever he walks. These urban legends and ghost stories have only helped to add to the mystique of these abandoned and haunted prisons and have attracted visitors who wish to experience the dark and mysterious past.
