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/)
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.