Episode 71: History and Haunting - The Old Joliet Prison

In the heart of Illinois, the Joliet Correctional Center stands as one of the most infamous prisons in United States history— where shadows of the past still linger. Opened in 1858, Joliet quickly gained a dark reputation. Over its 140 years of operation, it housed thousands of inmates, from hardened criminals to political prisoners, many of whom never left its cold, stone walls alive. From brutal riots and deadly escapes to grim experiments and tragic deaths, the prison’s history is chilling. The true toll inside remains unknown, but it’s believed thousands perished behind those gates, often preferring the death penalty over a sentence at Joliet. Since its closing in 2002, Joliet has become a magnet for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike. Visitors report eerie footsteps echoing in empty halls, unexplained cold spots, and even sightings of shadowy figures lurking in the dark. Paranormal investigators swear the prison is one of the most haunted places in Illinois. For this story, we step inside Joliet to explore the chilling history and uncover the restless spirits that seemingly refuse to rest.

 

Sources:

“The Old Joliet Haunted Prison” by Travis K. on Exploring States on January 29, 2023 (https://exploringstates.com/hauntedlocation/the-old-joliet-haunted-prison/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

“Route 66 History” on National Historic Route 66 Federation (https://national66.org/pages/route-66-history#:~:text=Route%2066%20symbolized%20the%20renewed,it%20is%20only%20a%20memory)

“Joliet Correctional Center” on Society of Architectural Historians SAH Archipedia (https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/IL-01-197-0047#:~:text=Boyington%2C%20one%20of%20the%20few,Revival%20porte%2Dcochere%20on%20Collins)

“Former Guard Acquitted in Escapes at Joliet Prison” by Bob Merrifield in The Chicago Tribune on May 25, 1990

“6 Felons, Including 3 Killers, Cut Bars to Flee Illinois Prison; 1 Caught” by Associated Press in The Los Angeles Times on February 12, 1990 (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-12-mn-444-story.html)

“Joliet Prison Escapee is Back Behind Bars” by Jack Houston and Marja Mills in The Chicago Tribune on February 26, 1990

“Five inmates escape maximum-security prison” in the Tampa Bay Times on February 13, 1990 (https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1990/02/13/five-inmates-escape-maximum-security-prison/)

“Joliet Prison” on Destination Fear, Season 2, Episode 10 on Discovery+

“The Haunting of Joliet Prison: The Prison Cemeteries” by Ursula Bielski on American Ghost Walks on August 16, 2020 (https://www.americanghostwalks.com/articles/the-haunting-of-joliet-prison-the-prison-cemeterie)

Project Fear on YouTube: “We Captured a Demon at Joliet Prison”

“The Old Joliet Prison” on Windy City Ghosts on September 23, 2021 (https://windycityghosts.com/the-old-joliet-prison/)

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/online_exhibits/100_documents/1859-first-joliet-prisoner.html#:~:text=In%201857%20a%20penitentiary%20at,Penitentiary%20was%20completed%20in%201860.

https://www.jolietprison.org/history.html