Known as being the most expensive building built in the U.S. at the time, the Eastern State Penitentiary became a prototype in design to 300 prisons. The facility was operated under the Pennsylvania System from 1829 to 1913. This system, used by the Quakers, was designed to force the incorrigibles sent there to look inside themselves and find God. In reality, this system placed inmates in complete solitude drove many sane men mad. Prisoners of the Eastern State Penitentiary had to undergo extremely brutal and austere punishments.

Inmates who broke the simplest rule received the harshest castigation. Hence, the Water Bath, this is when inmates are dunked into a tub of ice cold water, and then are hung from a wall for the night. In the winter months, this was the common chastisement used. It was reported that the water on the inmate’s skin would form a layer of ice by the morning time.  Next, was the Mad Chair. It was named such because it was not uncommon for an inmate to go mad before his punishment ended. Inmates would be strapped into the chair with leather strips, so tightly that it was impossible for them to make the smallest of movements. They would sit for days, without food, until the circulation in their body almost stopped from the tightness of the straps and the lack of movement. One would think that with these two punishments that there would not be a need for anymore, however, this was not the case. In fact, they had two more unconventional penalties for their unfortunate prisoners. The Hole, dug under cell block #14, was nothing but a pit in the ground where the incorrigible inmates would stay locked, sometimes for weeks. There was no light, little air, and those thrown into its tortuous grip would receive water and a slice of bread, if they got to it before the rats and roaches. Lastly, there was The Iron Gag. It was the most deadly punishment known and was specifically designed for those inmates who refused to obey the no communication policies. An iron collar was clamped onto the tongue of the inmate, and then chained to his wrists which were strapped high behind their back. Any movement resulted in the tearing of the tongue and severe bleeding. Many inmates who suffered this horrendous torture died from loss of blood before their torment ended.

With all of the cruelty that was being done at this facility, it is no shock that there have been findings of paranormal activity. One major paranormal episode reported occurred to a locksmith doing restoration work in cell block #4. According to the tale, he was working to remove a 140-year-old lock from the cell door when a massive force overcame him so powerfully he was unable to move. Some believe when he removed the key it opened a gateway to the horrific past and offered the spirits caught behind its bars a pathway out. The man spoke of experiencing an out-of-body state as he was drawn toward the negative energy which burst through the cell.

Today the penitentiary is opened to the public. In a typical year, maybe two dozen paranormal investigations take place in the cell blocks, and according to Assistant Program Director Brett Bertolino, they almost always find evidence of activity.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 at 7:57 pm and is filed under Halloween, Haunts, Real Haunts . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.