Real Ghost Stories Online
Is Eastern State Penitentiary More Than Just a Prison? | Paranormal Deep Dive
When you think about businesses that are selling through the roof – all birds, skims, sure, you think about a great product, a cool brand, and brilliant marketing. But an often overlooked secret is actually the businesses behind the business making selling and for the shoppers buying simple. For millions of businesses, that business is Shopify. Nobody does selling better than Shopify, home of the number one checkout on the planet. And the not-so-secret secret with shop pay, that boosts conversions up to 50%, meaning way less carts going abandoned, and way more sales going. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling on the web, in your store, in their feed, and everywhere in between. Businesses that sell more sell on Shopify. Upgrade your business and get the same checkout skims uses. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com/audioboom, all lowercase. Go to shopify.com/audioboom to upgrade your selling today. Shopify.com/audioboom. Ok, that's it for today. I'm going to show you how to make a video. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. I'm going to show you how to make a video about the business of Shopify. Welcome to the paranormal deep dive from real ghost stories online and the grave talks. Welcome to a story filled with eerie whispers, shadowy figures, and a prison whose history is steeped in darkness, one of the most haunted places in America, eastern state penitentiary. I'm Tony Bruski. Let's dig in. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, this once feared prison was not just home to some of the nation's most notorious criminals, but also a place where the line between the living and the dead may have blurred. Built in 1829, eastern state was designed with a revolutionary concept, solitary confinement meant to reform prisoners by forcing them to reflect on their crimes in total isolation. The prison's architecture was cutting edge, but its impact on the inmates was devastating, overcrowding, mental deterioration, and the brutal conditions left an indelible mark on the walls of this massive stone structure. But it's not just the history that haunts these halls, it's what came after. Visitors and investigators have long reported strange occurrences, phantom footsteps, ghostly figures in the shadows, and a sense of foreboding that clings to the walls. Is it the ghosts of former inmates like the infamous Al Capone still roaming the cell blocks? Here are these, just the echoes of the trauma experienced by those who lived and died here. Eastern state penitentiary located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania opened its massive gates in 1829 with an ambitious vision for reforming the criminal justice system. At the time, the concept of solitary confinement was revolutionary, promising that isolation would lead to reflection and rehabilitation for its inmates. The imposing stone walls and its radial design, where corridors spread out like spokes of a wheel, were meant to symbolize both control and contemplation. But little did anyone know the very design of the prison, would come to house not just the souls of its imprisoned, but also perhaps the echoes of their suffering. In its early years, Eastern state was a marvel of modern architecture, but this architectural brilliance would soon be overshadowed by the harsh realities faced by those within its walls. Initially, prisoners were placed in individual cells isolated from one another to encourage reflection and repentance. However, this practice was not without its flaws. The isolation was extreme. Prisoners had little to no human interaction, and the emotional toll was immense. Over time, many inmates began to crack under the mental strain. Psychosis, depression, and madness became common conditions among the incarcerated. In the early 1900s, reports began to surface about strange phenomena occurring within the prison. Guards and staff spoke of hearing unexplained noises, footsteps echoing down long desolate hallways, distant cries of anguish, and doors that slammed shut on their own. These early accounts raised questions. Were the reports the product of overactive imaginations, or was something more sinister at play? Despite these eerie stories, it wasn't until the 1940s that the first real accounts of paranormal experiences were documented. Guards working nightshifts described hearing voices in the otherwise empty prison. Some spoke of fleeting glimpses of shadowy figures darting out of sight at the corner of their vision, while others felt an unshakable presence, hovering over them. For those brave enough to venture into the more remote sections of the prison, like the infamous, solitary confinement areas, the air felt heavier, almost suffocating. It's not hard to imagine why the prison became fertile ground for paranormal lore. The constant psychological strain placed on its inmates could very well have left an imprint on the prison itself. With such intense mental and emotional suffering, it's possible that the environment itself became a repository for the negative energy of those confined there. In fact, many investigators and psychologists believe that places with such a violent and traumatic history can develop a kind of psychic residue. This residual energy, they claim, can cause paranormal activity, everything from strange noises to ghostly figures, and inexplicable cold spots. As the prison continued to operate throughout the 20th century, its reputation grew not just for housing criminals, but for housing something far more unsettling. The ghosts of those who had been broken by the system. Perhaps the most notorious of these was Al Capone, a criminal mastermind whose time at Eastern State became legendary, not only for his activities, but also for the strange occurrences tied to his stay. Capone's cell, in particular, was said to be plagued with bizarre phenomena. Whether it was the faint sound of piano music drifting from his cell or the strange appearance of shadowy figures within its walls, Capone's legacy seemed tied to something more than just his criminal past. Many believed his cell was one of the most haunted places within the entire penitentiary. The idea that the building itself might be haunted only deepened over time as more stories surfaced. Over the years, more and more individuals, ranging from staff to visitors, reported experiences that couldn't easily be explained. They spoke of the feeling of being watched, cold spots in the air, or the unnerving sensation that someone or something was lurking just beyond their sight. Some of the more vivid reports involved shadowy figures darting down hallways or vanishing as soon as they were noticed. In an attempt to understand these strange happenings, paranormal investigators began to flock to the penitentiary. They were drawn not just by its notorious reputation, but by the growing number of ghost sightings and reports of unexplained phenomena. With the advent of television and the rise of paranormal investigation shows like ghost hunters and ghost adventures, Eastern State became a central figure in the world of ghost hunting. Teams of investigators began to explore the premises using state-of-the-art equipment like EVP, electronic voice phenomenon recorders, infrared cameras, and motion sensors to capture any signs of paranormal activity. Their findings were often chilling. The most famous of these findings occurred in the dungeons, where the air was thick with a palpable sense of dread. The dungeons had been used as punishment for the most unruly prisoners. With solitary confinement lasting for weeks, sometimes months. This isolation was particularly harsh and reports from those who endured it described overwhelming feelings of fear and despair. It's easy to understand why the dungeons would be considered one of the most haunted areas of the prison. Prisoners who were subjected to such cruel treatment may have left behind more than just memories. They may have left behind a fragment of their souls trapped in the dark recesses of the prison. Over time, the growing number of paranormal experiences at Eastern State started to shape the public's perception of the penitentiary. What was once a symbol of reform and punishment became a place known for its supernatural activity. Visitors began to expect even look for something strange, something that would lend credence to the ghost stories surrounding the penitentiary. And it wasn't just the public who were affected by these reports. So even the staff who worked their day in and day out couldn't deny the strange things that occurred within those walls. For example, one staff member reported an experience that became the talk of the prison. She claimed that as she walked past one of the cells, she distinctly heard the sound of someone whispering her name. When she turned around, no one was there. Others have described feeling an overwhelming sense of dread while walking through certain sections of the prison, particularly in the area around the wardens office. One visitor described entering the wardens office and feeling an almost suffocating pressure in the air, like something was watching her from every angle. Despite the mounting evidence of paranormal activity, there are some who have tried to rationalize these occurrences. Many believe that the oppressive atmosphere of eastern state, combined with its gruesome history of violence and psychological torment, could cause some individuals to perceive things that aren't there. Environmental factors such as mold, electromagnetic fields, and even the design of the building could contribute to the sensations of unease experienced by so many. Some experts suggest that the prison's very design, with its isolated cells and dark narrow corridors, might create optical illusions and distortions, which could explain many of the strange figures people claim to have seen. The phenomenon of "paradolia," where the mind interprets random shapes or patterns as familiar faces or figures could also be at play. But for many, these explanations don't seem to fit the scale of the experiences reported. The most compelling reports often come from people who have no prior knowledge of the prison's haunted reputation. Visitors who enter the prison with an open mind and come away with unexplained experiences that leave them questioning what's real and what's not. From unexplained cold spots to the sound of heavy footsteps echoing through empty halls. It's clear that something strange is happening at eastern state penitentiary. As the prison began to close in 1971 and later opened to the public for tours, the ghost stories persisted. It became clear that eastern state was not only a place of punishment and reform, but also one where the boundaries between the living and the dead might be thinner than anyone realized. Yet as each new generation visits, the question remains, are these ghosts real or are they just the result of a troubled past and the power of suggestion? As eastern state penitentiary continued to be a focal point for paranormal investigation, the number of reports and experiences only increased building a strong case or deeds for its haunted legacy. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the rise of ghost hunting television shows such as ghost adventures and ghost hunters brought further attention to the penitentiary's dark past and supernatural reputation. Investigators from all over the world descended upon the prison to capture tangible evidence of the paranormal and many left with more questions than answers. One of the most famous investigations involved the dungeons which had gained a notorious reputation for their terrifying atmosphere. These dark isolated rooms were used as punishment for prisoners who broke the rules and it's here that many of the most unsettling reports originated. Several paranormal investigation teams have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of dread while in these areas as if something was lurking just beyond sight. Ghostly voices and strange sounds are common in the dungeon reports. Some investigators claim to have heard distant cries and agonized screams even though the rooms were completely empty. One of the most intriguing phenomena occurred when an investigator's camera captured a shadowy figure moving in the distance. The figure was almost transparent but there was no mistaking the unmistakable shape of a human-like form walking through the dark corridors. When investigators went to check the area no one was found. This type of footage was shared widely in paranormal circles and added to the prison's already notorious reputation as a hot spot for ghostly activity. But the dungeons weren't the only place where strange occurrences were reported. Other areas of the penitentiary particularly in the cell blocks and around the wardens office also seemed to be hot beds of paranormal activity. Staff members working at the penitentiary reported bizarre occurrences such as the distinct sound of a heavy metal door slamming shut when there was no one around to cause it. In one particularly strange incident a security guard heard footsteps behind him as he walked down an empty hallway. He turned to see no one there but the footsteps continued to follow him. Some staff members have even gone so far as to say that they've felt the temperature in certain areas drop suddenly often accompanied by an overwhelming sense of unease that doesn't seem to subside. One of the most prominent paranormal events to come out of eastern state was the experience of a paranormal team led by renowned investigator John Zafus. Zafus known for his work on various paranormal investigations spent significant time at the penitentiary in the early 2000s. During his investigation Zafus claimed to have made contact with the spirit of a former inmate who had died under mysterious circumstances in the prison. The team reported the distinct feeling of being watched and heard strange whispers that couldn't be explained by the buildings, creeks and groans. The team's equipment also picked up strange readings on their EMF electromagnetic field detectors and indication that something might be interacting with the environment. Despite the growing body of evidence not all of eastern state's ghostly experiences can be easily attributed to simple supernatural occurrences. Some researchers believe that the prison's structure, its isolated cells, high stone walls and oppressive atmosphere may contribute to the strange occurrences people experience there. Environmental factors such as the electromagnetic fields are known to have an effect on the human brain. In some cases these fields can cause people to feel anxious, dizzy or even experienced hallucinations. For instance, electromagnetic fields can cause a phenomenon known as the feeling of being watched, which could explain some of the sensations reported by staff and visitors alike. In this way, some theorists suggest that the building itself might be acting as a conduit for these psychological effects amplifying any existing emotional trauma within the space. Moreover, certain areas of the prison are known to have mold or dampness, which can cause reactions similar to those experienced in haunted places. Black mold, which is common in many older buildings, can produce mycotoxins that affect the nervous system. These toxins can lead to symptoms such as hallucinations, dizziness and confusion, which could easily explain why some individuals perceive ghostly apparitions, when none may actually exist. Whether it's a combination of environmental factors or simply the psychological strain of being in such a charged atmosphere, the experience of paranormal activity at eastern state penitentiary may be influenced as much by the building itself as by the spirits of the past. Still, for many of these scientific explanations don't fully account for the strange experiences documented by those who have spent time in the penitentiary. One visitor, for example, described feeling the overwhelming sensation of being touched while walking down one of the prison's long dark hallways. She said it felt as though something or someone brushed up against her, but when she turned around, no one was there. Others have claimed to have seen shadowy figures darting across the walls or down the hallways only to vanish when they attempted to follow them. Some have even described hearing their names called out from the darkness, though no one else was present. For those who continue to investigate the prison, these experiences suggest that eastern state penitentiary might be haunted by more than just the trauma of its past. The sheer amount of suffering and death that occurred within its walls likely left behind an indelible mark, whether spiritual, psychological, or environmental. It's possible that the building itself, having witnessed decades of violence and despair, might now be a conduit for the very emotions that permeated its history. In recent years, the prison has become a popular site for paranormal tourism. As one of the most haunted places in the United States, it draws thousands of visitors each year who come to experience its supernatural reputation firsthand. Many come hoping to capture evidence of the paranormal and many leave convinced that they've encountered something beyond the physical realm. These experiences range from hearing strange noises or feeling an unexplainable chill to more intense encounters like seeing figures or being physically touched. The experiences of those who have visited eastern state penitentiary continue to fuel the debate over whether the hauntings are the result of residual energy, energy left behind by the suffering of former inmates or whether something more intelligent, more conscious, is at work. Paranormal experts debate the nature of these experiences with some suggesting that the spirits of the deceased are trapped within the walls of the prison, unable or unwilling to move on. Others argue that the activity is a product of the environment, a mix of environmental factors and psychological reactions that create the illusion of haunting. Perhaps the most compelling theory involves the concept of residual hauntings. These are the idea that traumatic or intense events leave a kind of imprint on the environment. In the case of eastern state, the pain, violence and suffering experienced by both the inmates and the guards may have left an energetic imprint that can manifest as strange phenomena, echoes of the past that continue to haunt the present. In contrast, intelligent hauntings suggest that the spirits of those who once inhabited the prison are still present, actively interacting with the living. One thing is certain, the supernatural activity at eastern state penitentiary continues to mystify both believers and skeptics alike. As long as its haunted legacy remains intact, there will no doubt continue to draw people from around the world, all seeking to understand the mysterious forces that reside within its walls. After digging through the chilling history of eastern state penitentiary, the question still lingers. What exactly is happening behind those cold stone walls? Is it simply the lingering effects of the traumatic lives led by its prisoners and guards, or is there something more, something that science can't quite explain? Throughout this investigation, we've heard stories of shadowy figures darting through darkened hallways, unexplained sounds echoing through empty cell blocks and chilling sensations that no one can explain away. Now let's talk about the most plausible explanation, the one that sits right in the middle of the spectrum, the human mind. When you place someone in an environment as oppressive as eastern state, a place where mental health deteriorates under extreme isolation and brutal conditions, it's not surprising that strange phenomena could arise. Environmental factors like the electromagnetic fields produced by the building's architecture, mold, or even the dampness could cause symptoms that mirror paranormal experiences. Feeling watched? That's a reaction to the EMFs that disturb our brains, that cold spot. Maybe it's the air conditioning system playing tricks on you, but then again, you can't dismiss the overwhelming number of people who have experienced things they can't explain. Some visitors at eastern state leave convinced that something supernatural is at play. Is it the energy of the prisoners suffering trapped in the walls? Or are these intelligent hauntings, spirits of the dead, still lingering in the very place that once held them? For some, the paranormal experience is too vivid to chalk up to mere environmental effects or psychological trickery. The truth might lie somewhere in the middle. Maybe both the building's oppressive atmosphere and the suffering that occurred within it combined to create a unique kind of haunting, one that blurs the line between the real and the imagined. Perhaps in the end, eastern state penitentiary is a little of both, a psychological and spiritual battleground where history and mystery collide. I'm Tony Bruceky. Be sure to press subscribe so you don't miss any episodes, and so you can join us again for another Paranormal Deep Dive. Want to dig deeper in the Paranormal Deep Dive? Press subscribe now wherever you download podcasts and catch brand new Paranormal Deep Dives every single day from real ghost stories online in the Grave Talks Podcast. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ Hello, it is Ryan and we could all use an extra bright spot in our day, couldn't we? Just to make up for things like sitting in traffic, doing the dishes, counting your steps, you know, all the mundane stuff. That is why I'm such a big fan of Chumba Casino. Chumba Casino has all your favorite social casino style games that you can play for free anytime, anywhere with daily bonuses. So sign up now at Chumba Casino.com. That's Chumba Casino.com. Sponsored by Chumba Casino, no purchase necessary, VGW group, void were prohibited by law, 18 plus terms and conditions apply. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ It is Ryan here and I have a question for you. What do you do when you win? Like are you a fist pumper? A woo hoo. A hand clap or a high fiver. If you want to hone in on those winning moves, check out Chumba Casino. Choose from hundreds of social casino style games for your chance to redeem serious cash prizes. There are new game releases weekly plus free daily bonuses, so don't wait. Start having the most fun ever at Chumba Casino.com. Sponsored by Chumba Casino, no purchase necessary, VGW group, void were prohibited by law, 18 plus terms and conditions apply. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ This is Ryan Seacrest here. There was a recent social media trend which consisted of flying on a plane with no music, no movies, no entertainment, but a better trend would be going to Chumba Casino.com. It's like having a mini social casino in your pocket. Chumba Casino has over 100 online casino style games all absolutely free. It's the most fun you can have online and on a plane, so grab your free welcome bonus now at Chumba Casino.com. Sponsored by Chumba Casino, no purchase necessary, VGW group, void were prohibited by law, 18 plus terms and conditions apply. Growing your business can come with its challenges, but with the all new Intuit Enterprise Suite, you can bring all your tools and data together in one place, making it easier to keep growing without the growing pains. Learn more at Intuit.com/enterprise. (upbeat music)