Many people associate suffering, punishment, and despair with gray prison cells. While modern prisons are far from medieval jails, they were still built to hold the most dangerous criminals. These prisons have witnessed unimaginable cruelty, pain, and death throughout the decades. That’s why it’s no surprise that many prisons have a reputation for being haunted.
The reason is that prisoners have reported seeing footsteps with no apparent source, doors that slam themselves, and sometimes even hearing voices that respond to questions when no one is present.
Ghost hunters and horror enthusiasts consider these places some of the creepiest spots you could ever visit. In this article, we’ll focus on 5 of the most haunted prisons around the world.
1. Port Arthur (Tasmania, Australia)
People say that only brave hearts can dare to visit Port Arthur prison in Tasmania, Australia. This particular jail is a place where you can still feel the dark atmosphere of crimes committed years ago. The prison was once a penal colony. In fact, in the 19th century, it served as a place of reformation for the most dangerous convicts in the British Empire. Today, only ghost stories remain out of them, and therefore, there have been various rumors about unsettling footsteps and sudden feelings of cold in the hallways.
While ghost hunters around the world love to visit this place and test their limits, locals often joke that your odds of staying calm all night are worse than winning a jackpot while gambling online at platforms. We don’t know whether it’s true, but after a ghost tour at this place, it’s definitely a good idea to check safer stakes at gambleonline.co.nz if your nerves need a reset afterward.
2. The Tower of London (United Kingdom)
At first glance, the famous Tower of London is far from looking scary. In fact, people love to visit this place because of its luxurious look and medieval charm. But it turns out that this royal palace has a dark history and is linked to various beheadings and betrayals. The most famous one among them is indeed the beheading of Anne Boleyn near the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.
Because of these tragic stories, people believe that the prison is haunted. As they report, inside, there are invisible chains that still captivate phantoms. So, don’t be surprised if you hear strange noises or whispers while having a random tour in this royal palace.
3. Old Changi Hospital (Singapore)
Old Changi Hospital has never actually served as a prison. However, it still ended up among the most haunted prisons in the world because it witnessed various prisoners during World War II. This hospital was built in the 1930s and served as a British military hospital. Paranormal activities were first reported back when it was used by the Japanese army as a camp. This was the time when people started hearing weird voices, ghostly appearances, and sudden cold touches.
Even though the hospital was officially closed in the 1990s, you can still visit it and experience chilling sensations yourself, as prisoners still enjoy haunting its abandoned walls.
4. Ohio State Reformatory (Mansfield, Ohio)
If you have seen ‘The Shawshank Redemption,’ chances are that the Ohio State Reformatory might get to the top of your must-see places in the future. This prison was built in the late 19th century and functioned only for a century. However, it managed to captivate horror enthusiasts with its unsettling atmosphere.
The area was abandoned before the film was released. But today, it has hundreds of visitors who report strange apparitions, unexplained footsteps, and even movies that whisper, “get out.”
5. West Virginia Penitentiary (Moundsville, West Virginia)
And the final haunted prison on our list is also located in the United States, specifically, in West Virginia. This penitentiary looks scary even from the outside. But once you step inside, you’ll be surrounded by an eerie atmosphere of unsettling cold temperature, slamming doors, and whispers that echo in the hallways.
The jail was once used for prisoners who faced death penalties. It had an electric chair, which took the lives of many between 1834 and 1979. As it’s said, these people still roam around the penitentiary and haunt everybody who dares to enter.
Bottom Line
As you can see, many prisons around the world are full of dark histories, full of rage, sorrow, and fear. Regardless of how experienced you are in visiting haunted places and catching ghosts, chances are that these places will send shivers down your spine or, at least, make you think about the horrifying past of their prisoners. Either way, these chilling sensations are definitely worth trying if you’re looking for scary adventures that will leave a lasting mark on your mind.
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