In this era of paranormal investigations and haunted tourism we shouldn’t be surprised that a legendary federal prison that is no longer used to lock down the most dangerous of us has stories of ghostly happenings.

Joliet prison was built in 1858 and was used to house prisoners up until 2002. There have been high profile convicts imprisoned there, and lots of heinous stories of those who died within its walls.

It is those stories that have become the anchors for tales of hauntings at the old stone prison right by the Des Plaines river.

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The prison these days is used a filming location for tv shows and movies, but is also known for its haunted house attractions. Yes, they’ve combined the jump-scare haunted house within a place that locked down the most dangerous citizens and has been reportedly haunted for nearly 100 years.

The wife of Warden Edmund Allen was found dead after her bedroom at the prison was set on fire in 1915.  Deputy Warden Peter Klien was stabbed and beaten to death by seven escaped inmates in 1926. Former gang leader Herbert Cadillac Catlett was stabbed trying to quell a prisoner riot in 1975.  The first corrections officer killed there was Joseph Clark in 1865. John Wayne Gacy was executed there in 1994 for the murder of 33 people.

Joliet Prison
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Plenty of other prisons and jails are considered haunted. Alcatraz in California, Eastern State Pen in Pennsylvania, Missouri State Pen, Yuma Territorial Prison in Arizona and many other jails across the country.

During tours the voices of inmates are said to still be heard howling, whistling and crying. Visitors are also said to experience an intense vibe from within the walls of the old prison.

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Spirits are known to lie. That’s not an invite to test them. Are the ghosts of those who perished at the old Joliet Prison still in anguish? You can take the tour and find out yourself…..

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