Built in 1858, the Old Joliet Prison stands as one of Illinois’ most enduring—and chilling—historical landmarks. Constructed with local limestone, its Gothic architecture and imposing walls once symbolized the harsh justice of the 19th century. Over its 150 years of operation, the prison housed thousands of inmates, including infamous criminals like John Wayne Gacy (for a short time) and serial killer Richard Speck. Known for its overcrowding, disease, and brutal conditions, the facility became a grim reflection of the darker side of the penal system.
After closing in 2002, the prison fell into decay, its empty corridors and rusted bars stirring imaginations about the spirits that might still linger there. Paranormal investigators and visitors have reported unexplained disembodied voices, shadowy figures walking the cell blocks, cold drafts, and cell doors that slam without warning. The site’s eerie atmosphere has earned it a reputation as one of the most haunted places in Illinois, drawing ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike.
Today, the Old Joliet Prison has found new life through preservation and tourism. The Joliet Area Historical Museum now manages the property, offering guided history and haunted tours, paranormal investigations, and film shoots—the site famously appeared in The Blues Brothers. Restoration efforts are ongoing, balancing respect for its grim past with creative reuse. Plans for expanded public programming and continued conservation aim to secure its future as both a historical monument and a cultural attraction—where the echoes of its past will continue to intrigue and unnerve visitors for generations.
If you want to scare yourself to death this Halloween, try the very intense haunted house experience at the prison. You won’t find me there, but I understand it’s the best.
Jeanne Meeks ~ Fiction Author 
In the late 1970’s I spent a lot of time in the old Joliet Prison, all as a prosecutor investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by the prisoners against the guards and other inmates and interviewing witnesses. One long time supervisor indoctrinated me with the advise “don’t look at the inmates faces, look at their hands to see if they have a shank or weapon”. Movies that featured prisons and specifically the Old Joliet Prison never caught the rea; foreboding atmosphere there.
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One of these days, I’ll take the day-time tour, and I’ll bet one can still feel the bad vibes in the place.
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