Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia pioneered the concept of reform through isolation. From 1829 to 1971, inmates suffered solitary confinement that drove many mad. Their tortured spirits remain.

The System

Prisoners lived in complete isolation in individual cells with skylights called “eyes of God.” Human contact was minimal. Many went insane. The system was eventually recognized as cruel.

Famous Inmates

Al Capone was imprisoned here. His ghost is reported in his cell, hearing the moaning of a man he had killed. The echoes of his torment contribute to the general haunting.

The Ghosts

Cellblock 12 is particularly active with cackling laughter and shadow figures. Cellblock 6 features inexplicable shadows on walls. Guards report ghostly faces. The entire complex feels oppressive.

The Investigation

Eastern State has been investigated extensively. Electronic voice phenomena are captured constantly. Apparitions are photographed. Physical contact is common. The prison is genuinely haunted.

Assessment

Eastern State’s innovative cruelty created concentrated suffering over 142 years. That suffering soaked into the walls and cannot be evicted. The prison is now a museum and haunted attraction, acknowledging its dark past.