Investigation: Eastern State Penitentiary
Date: July 19th, 2008
History: ESP housed its first inmate in October of 1929, Although the 7 original cell blocks were
not completed until 1936. The prison was designed by an up-and-coming English architect, John
Haviland. His revolutionary radical design was influential to many prisons thereafter and was
considered an architectural masterpiece of that time. From the central Hub, one could see all the
way down at 7 cell blocks without having to leave that spot. The 7 original cell blocks designs
were eventually redesigned, however, to add a 2nd story to cell blocks 4-7 to be able to hold more
inmates-totalling a maximum of 450. Haviland used a "Cathedral" inspired design (A 30ft high, 8ft
thick, 1/2 mile long stone wall encompasses the 12 acre facility.) to try to invoke penitence to its
inhabitants.
All inmates were kept in total isolation. They were hooded anytime they left the cell. This was to
not only attempt to eliminate escape by hiding the layout of the prison, but also to uphold the
isolation. Inmates ate, slept, and worked within their cells. They were allowed into small, walled
personal exercise yards twice daily for 1/2 hour. ESP was however, considered the most
luxurious prison facility in the world.
By the 1870s, ESP was becoming very overcrowded. In 1877, cell blocks 8 and 9 were
completed. Cell block 3 was then converted into a hospital wing. Cell blocks 10 and 11 soon
followed. In 1911 the 3 story cell block 12 was constructed to house some of the more violent
criminals. It was made up of tiny cells, not like the previous, more spacious cell blocks. In 1913
ESP officially became a congregate prison facility, putting more than one prisoner in the cells.
Cell block 13 was constructed in 1913 it was made up of 10 cramped 4'x8' cells exclusively built
for solitary confinement. By 1925, the original population of 450 had grown to almost 1,800
inmates. Further expansion of the prison took place in 1927, with the construction of cell block 14,
along with 4 underground punishment cells called "The Klondike" these were essentially holes in
the ground where prisoners sometimes spent weeks. The final cell block, 15, was built in 1959. It
was known as death row, although no one was ever actually executed at Eastern State.
Due to the increasing violence and age of the prison, ESP closed it's doors in 1970, after 141
years of operation. It remained vacant for almost 25 years and was almost demolished. However,
it was saved and opened for historic tours in 1994. Daily tours are still offered daily at this historic
landmark. Violence was never a big issue for ESP. Although there were a few killings, fights, and
there was one riot, it was a relatively calm environment as far as prisons went. Amid many escape
attempts, there was only one inmate, named Leo Callahan, who successfully escaped in 1923.
Claims: There have been countless sightings and paranormal experienced within the massive
walls of ESP. I'm sure at some point, some sort of paranormal activity has taken place in all the
cell blocks. There was a locksmith who saw a figure while trying to open a rusted lock in one of the
cell blocks. Cell block 4 is the site of the infamous "Dude,run!" scene of Sci-Fi's "Ghosthunters"
by Brian hornois. Shadows, noises, and voices have been reported. Cell block 12 is where the
popular shadow figure was caught on camera by TAPS. Laughter and shadows have been
reported here. People tend to get a creepy feeling in death row. Also, cell block 7 has also been
an area of a higher paranormal activity.
Personal Experiences (Investigators): Eric & Jessica took a little trip up to
Philadelphia, PA, to investigate ESP with Todd Sheets of NightWatchers. We got started around
9:35. First we went to cell block 4 to investigate. Jessica immediately got a heavy oppressive
feeling toward the back of the cell block. About 20 minutes in , we heard a loud bang of what
sounded like something fall upstairs, but we couldn't find a source. Soon after, we heard the
sound of distinct footsteps along the catwalk not far from where we were standing. No one was
allowed upstairs, however, due to it being too dangerous and deteriorated. Significant cold spots
were also detected with no immediate explanation.
Next, we investigated cell blocks 2 & 10, which are connected at the end, creating a "V" from
the central Hub. While we were in the back end of cell block 10 Eric went into the "Shower cell" to
take pictures. His camera went from a full battery to a dead battery withing about 5 to 10 seconds.
When we started toward the center to retrieve more batteries, our KII (EMF) meter spiked.
Another paranormal investigative group's KII meter did the same thing in the same area at the
same time. One of the more skeptical members of the other group claimed he had someone pull
on his necklace. We also heard tapping and shuffling sounds. It wasn't quite as active in cell block
2, although another groups member claimed to see the shadow of a man walk into a cell.
The next cell block was the famous cell block 12. When investigating this area, the employees
actually lock you in, which was pretty cool. We had free rein of the 3rd floor of the cell blocks.
Within the first 20 minutes after being locked in, the other 8 members of the group we were with
left the cell block. So we ran the voice recorder and the video camera while we looked around.
Both of us saw the shadow of a man at the far end of the cell block, walk across the window from
right to left and disappear. We also heard shuffling toward the back of the cell block, then we
heard movement downstairs on one of the lower levels of the catwalk.
After that was cell block 1. As we came in, Todd Sheets was coming out. He was visibly
bothered and told us that he kept hearing the sliding wooden doors shaking and banging against
the walls. As he said that, it happened again. We moved toward the sound. At first it seemed to
be coming from one door in particular, so we thought it may be some sort of draft combined with a
loose door. But as we seemed to get close to that door, it changed locations and seemed to
continue rattling different doors on both sides of the hallway. Eric, at one point, actually saw one of
the doors rattle violently, as if by force. During this activity, we also had the KII meter spike.
We weren't allowed to enter the newer cell blocks for safety reasons but we, then, walked
outside and visited the doorways to these areas, including death row, cell block 14, the klondike,
and the greenhouse. Around 2:45, we began to pack up and get ready for the 9 hour drive home.
We had the chance to talk to a few other groups and they seemed to have good luck as well. One
investigator said that she heard someone whisper her name from one of the cells as she passes.
We were even able to witness a drunken altercation on the streets of the "City of Brotherly love".
Evidence:
Photos - Here are some of the pictures from ESP. CLICK HERE FOR PICS
Video Work- WILL BE ADDED SOON GOING OVER THE END OF THEM.
EVPs - WILL BE ADDED SOON GOING OVER THE END OF THEM.
Conclusion: Eastern State Penitentiary is an enormous incredible place to visit or
investigate. It was an awesome experience. There is such a history. And, with it being a
prison, it natural "creepy" feeling. We definitely feel that something paranormal is going
on at ESP. We would go as far as to say that we believe that it is haunted. Feel free to
drop us your inputs and thoughts on the case and the evidence that we've gathered,
we're open minded and enjoy feedback.... Thank you
The Staff @ SEPIA
Date: July 19th, 2008
History: ESP housed its first inmate in October of 1929, Although the 7 original cell blocks were
not completed until 1936. The prison was designed by an up-and-coming English architect, John
Haviland. His revolutionary radical design was influential to many prisons thereafter and was
considered an architectural masterpiece of that time. From the central Hub, one could see all the
way down at 7 cell blocks without having to leave that spot. The 7 original cell blocks designs
were eventually redesigned, however, to add a 2nd story to cell blocks 4-7 to be able to hold more
inmates-totalling a maximum of 450. Haviland used a "Cathedral" inspired design (A 30ft high, 8ft
thick, 1/2 mile long stone wall encompasses the 12 acre facility.) to try to invoke penitence to its
inhabitants.
All inmates were kept in total isolation. They were hooded anytime they left the cell. This was to
not only attempt to eliminate escape by hiding the layout of the prison, but also to uphold the
isolation. Inmates ate, slept, and worked within their cells. They were allowed into small, walled
personal exercise yards twice daily for 1/2 hour. ESP was however, considered the most
luxurious prison facility in the world.
By the 1870s, ESP was becoming very overcrowded. In 1877, cell blocks 8 and 9 were
completed. Cell block 3 was then converted into a hospital wing. Cell blocks 10 and 11 soon
followed. In 1911 the 3 story cell block 12 was constructed to house some of the more violent
criminals. It was made up of tiny cells, not like the previous, more spacious cell blocks. In 1913
ESP officially became a congregate prison facility, putting more than one prisoner in the cells.
Cell block 13 was constructed in 1913 it was made up of 10 cramped 4'x8' cells exclusively built
for solitary confinement. By 1925, the original population of 450 had grown to almost 1,800
inmates. Further expansion of the prison took place in 1927, with the construction of cell block 14,
along with 4 underground punishment cells called "The Klondike" these were essentially holes in
the ground where prisoners sometimes spent weeks. The final cell block, 15, was built in 1959. It
was known as death row, although no one was ever actually executed at Eastern State.
Due to the increasing violence and age of the prison, ESP closed it's doors in 1970, after 141
years of operation. It remained vacant for almost 25 years and was almost demolished. However,
it was saved and opened for historic tours in 1994. Daily tours are still offered daily at this historic
landmark. Violence was never a big issue for ESP. Although there were a few killings, fights, and
there was one riot, it was a relatively calm environment as far as prisons went. Amid many escape
attempts, there was only one inmate, named Leo Callahan, who successfully escaped in 1923.
Claims: There have been countless sightings and paranormal experienced within the massive
walls of ESP. I'm sure at some point, some sort of paranormal activity has taken place in all the
cell blocks. There was a locksmith who saw a figure while trying to open a rusted lock in one of the
cell blocks. Cell block 4 is the site of the infamous "Dude,run!" scene of Sci-Fi's "Ghosthunters"
by Brian hornois. Shadows, noises, and voices have been reported. Cell block 12 is where the
popular shadow figure was caught on camera by TAPS. Laughter and shadows have been
reported here. People tend to get a creepy feeling in death row. Also, cell block 7 has also been
an area of a higher paranormal activity.
Personal Experiences (Investigators): Eric & Jessica took a little trip up to
Philadelphia, PA, to investigate ESP with Todd Sheets of NightWatchers. We got started around
9:35. First we went to cell block 4 to investigate. Jessica immediately got a heavy oppressive
feeling toward the back of the cell block. About 20 minutes in , we heard a loud bang of what
sounded like something fall upstairs, but we couldn't find a source. Soon after, we heard the
sound of distinct footsteps along the catwalk not far from where we were standing. No one was
allowed upstairs, however, due to it being too dangerous and deteriorated. Significant cold spots
were also detected with no immediate explanation.
Next, we investigated cell blocks 2 & 10, which are connected at the end, creating a "V" from
the central Hub. While we were in the back end of cell block 10 Eric went into the "Shower cell" to
take pictures. His camera went from a full battery to a dead battery withing about 5 to 10 seconds.
When we started toward the center to retrieve more batteries, our KII (EMF) meter spiked.
Another paranormal investigative group's KII meter did the same thing in the same area at the
same time. One of the more skeptical members of the other group claimed he had someone pull
on his necklace. We also heard tapping and shuffling sounds. It wasn't quite as active in cell block
2, although another groups member claimed to see the shadow of a man walk into a cell.
The next cell block was the famous cell block 12. When investigating this area, the employees
actually lock you in, which was pretty cool. We had free rein of the 3rd floor of the cell blocks.
Within the first 20 minutes after being locked in, the other 8 members of the group we were with
left the cell block. So we ran the voice recorder and the video camera while we looked around.
Both of us saw the shadow of a man at the far end of the cell block, walk across the window from
right to left and disappear. We also heard shuffling toward the back of the cell block, then we
heard movement downstairs on one of the lower levels of the catwalk.
After that was cell block 1. As we came in, Todd Sheets was coming out. He was visibly
bothered and told us that he kept hearing the sliding wooden doors shaking and banging against
the walls. As he said that, it happened again. We moved toward the sound. At first it seemed to
be coming from one door in particular, so we thought it may be some sort of draft combined with a
loose door. But as we seemed to get close to that door, it changed locations and seemed to
continue rattling different doors on both sides of the hallway. Eric, at one point, actually saw one of
the doors rattle violently, as if by force. During this activity, we also had the KII meter spike.
We weren't allowed to enter the newer cell blocks for safety reasons but we, then, walked
outside and visited the doorways to these areas, including death row, cell block 14, the klondike,
and the greenhouse. Around 2:45, we began to pack up and get ready for the 9 hour drive home.
We had the chance to talk to a few other groups and they seemed to have good luck as well. One
investigator said that she heard someone whisper her name from one of the cells as she passes.
We were even able to witness a drunken altercation on the streets of the "City of Brotherly love".
Evidence:
Photos - Here are some of the pictures from ESP. CLICK HERE FOR PICS
Video Work- WILL BE ADDED SOON GOING OVER THE END OF THEM.
EVPs - WILL BE ADDED SOON GOING OVER THE END OF THEM.
Conclusion: Eastern State Penitentiary is an enormous incredible place to visit or
investigate. It was an awesome experience. There is such a history. And, with it being a
prison, it natural "creepy" feeling. We definitely feel that something paranormal is going
on at ESP. We would go as far as to say that we believe that it is haunted. Feel free to
drop us your inputs and thoughts on the case and the evidence that we've gathered,
we're open minded and enjoy feedback.... Thank you
The Staff @ SEPIA
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