02/14/2026 Haunted Locations: Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Danielle Yvonne
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Happy Saturday! I have been eyeing this location for such a long time. I already knew quite a bit of its history but delved even deeper for this post, and I am so glad I did. I even managed to sneak in a Valentine’s Day connection, which I was quite impressed with. So, without further ado, welcome to Eastern State Penitentiary!
Eastern State Penitentiary: The Most Haunted Prison in Philadelphia
Eastern State Penitentiary isn’t just a historic prison in Philadelphia—it’s considered one of the most haunted prisons in America.
Construction began in 1821 under architect John Haviland. When it opened in 1829, Eastern State introduced the Pennsylvania System, an absolutely diabolical experiment in solitary confinement that was inspired by Quaker reformers and the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons.
Their goal wasn’t to punish. It was penitence. Prisoners were kept in total isolation to reflect on their crimes, read the Bible, and seek redemption through silence.
The design of the prison was totally new and progressive. The layout was that of a wagon wheel, with the “central hub” in the middle, and one guard could observe all the halls. Eventually, over 300 prisons worldwide copied this same model.
Each inmate had:
Their own private cell
Running water
Central heat
Their own flushing toilet
A skylight which was referred to as "the eye of God"
It was the most expensive public building in America at the time.
But none of this equated to humanity.
Charles Dickens even fits into this haunted location. He visited in 1942. He was under the impression that the intentions were good and humane. Even then, he condemned the psychological toll of isolation, writing that it was:
“Rigid, strict, and hopeless solitary confinement… immeasurably worse than any torture of the body.”
It was his criticism that began the global debate about solitary confinement, which is still prevalent today.
Once an inmate was admitted, they pretty much lost their identity. They were assigned numbers instead of names, they were forbidden to speak, they placed hoods over their heads when being moved, the guards wore padded shoes so the inmates couldn’t hear them approaching, and letters along with visitors were denied.
By 1913 the strict solitary system was officially abandoned due to overcrowding and psychological damage.
Despite the alleged good intentions it began with, Eastern State became notorious for torture-like discipline. These methods included:
The Iron Gag -- an iron device fastened to the tongue and chained to the wrists. Any movement tore into the skin. Per the records, an inmate bled out after this on at least one occasion.
The Mad Chair -- prisoners were strapped so tightly into a restraint chair that circulation was cut off for hours or even days.
The Water Bath -- inmates were submerged in freezing water and chained outside during cold winter nights until ice formed on their skin.
The Hole (Klondike) -- a lightless underground punishment block beneath Cellblock 14. No plumbing. No heating. Nothing.
It’s becoming abundantly clear why this place is haunted!!
The prison also housed some pretty infamous inmates. Some of those inmates included:
Al Capone:
From 1929–1930, one of America’s most notorious gangsters served eight months at Eastern State for carrying a concealed weapon.
Unlike the other inmates, Capone’s cell looked like a parlor with oriental rugs, wooden furniture, artwork, and a cabinet radio. That didn’t keep him safe, though! Capone allegedly screamed through the night, begging someone named “Jimmy” to leave him alone.
Many believe he was haunted by James “Jimmy” Clark, who was a victim of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. (See, told ya I managed to bring Valentine's Day into it!)
Willie Sutton:
Known as “Slick Willie,” Sutton spent 11 years at Eastern State. In 1945, he and 11 others tunneled nearly 100 feet underground to escape.
They were captured within hours.
Pep “The Cat-Murdering Dog”:
In 1924, a black Labrador named Pep was issued inmate number C-2559. Officially accused of killing the governor’s wife’s cat, later accounts suggest he was donated to boost inmate morale.
Pep became the prison’s beloved mascot… and is buried on the grounds.
Eastern State closed in 1972. Overcrowding, riots, and the old infrastructure made it unmanageable.
For almost two decades, the prison was abandoned. Vines overtook the walls. Trees grew inside cellblocks. A colony of feral cats moved in. (Goals, lol)
Developers proposed turning it into all sorts of things, like apartments, a shopping center, and even a nightclub. But preservationists fought to save it.
In 1994, Eastern State reopened as a museum and National Historic Landmark. But the ghosts may or may not have already claimed it as theirs…
When you mix so many years of isolation, psychological breaks, brutal punishments, murder, suicide, overcrowding, along with many other factors, you have the perfect recipe for paranormal activity. This contributes a lot to why Eastern State is now considered one of the most haunted places in the world.
The most haunted locations here where paranormal activity has been experienced and recorded are:
Cellblock 12 -- visitors report echoing laughter, disembodied whispers, and shadow figures darting between cells.
Cellblock 4 -- ghostly faces are said to appear along the walls. A locksmith once claimed something grabbed him while working on a lock.
Cellblock 6 -- shadows move quickly across the crumbling stone.
The Guard Towers -- guests frequently report seeing a figure standing watch, even though the staircase to the tower collapsed long ago.
So, tell me. Have you heard of this location before? Have you been there? Would you go? Let me know in the comments. And as always, if you do decide to visit here or any haunted location, respect the property, respect the owners, respect the residents... living or dead.
For more details about this story, how you can visit, and links to the shows, podcasts, documentaries, and resources used for this post can all be found below.
Resources: