Old Joliet Prison was commissioned in 1857-1858 when the next closest major correctional institution became rundown and extremely overcrowded. It was built to resemble a fortress by the very inmates that would be housed there. Made primarily out of limestone (which, incidentally, attracts lots of paranormal activity), the same man who architected the famous Chicago Water Tower was responsible for bringing the new prison to the area. It was hoped that it could be Illinois’s lone major penitentiary but actually ended up with far more inmates than expected within just the first 2 decades of its existence. Many notorious criminals passed through until it closed permanently for economic reasons in 2002. Since then, it’s seen numerous ghost-hunting investigation teams and even been featured in numerous movies and series. Serious hardened criminals led to riots and other forms of torture becoming commonplace, giving the place a dark reputation. Massive amounts of violence took place over the years from both sides of the law, leading to its haunted reputation. Many shadow figures and full apparitions are often reported by visitors and staff alike. The onsite hospital obviously saw death regularly, so it’s no wonder that area gets both auditory and visual experiences known to happen. As with all tough correctional facilities, tragedy, death, violence, and other negative aspects were always anticipated and failed to disappoint. They continue to fascinate paranormal experts and enthusiasts today, as the now-abandoned prison is a popular place for ghost tours. The castle-like construction was intentional to give this place a tough feel to it, and that certainly has held up even today, long after it closed down for good.
Haunted Joliet Prison
