A Tour Of This Haunted Prison In New Jersey Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

New Jersey is home to some pretty spooky spots, but there’s nothing quite like a haunted prison. Countless souls suffered here and many linger on in limbo, serving a sentence longer than life.

Wikipedia/Nathaniel R. Ewan

The Burlington County Prison operated between 1811 - 1965; at the time of its closure, it was the oldest operating prison in the United States. The prison was known for making spectacles out of public hangings and housed notorious inmates including Albert DeSalvo, later known as "The Boston Strangler." It is located at the corner of High and Grant Streets in Mount Holly.

Wikipedia/Susan Spitz

Executions have not taken place here for nearly a century, but each was truly disturbing. The prison was known to use thinner than average rope, which led to lengthier executions and significant suffering.

One of the first executions handled by Burlington County Prison was that of Joel Clough. The 29-year-old murdered his lover after she refused his proposal. It is said that he had no remorse. According to public records from the time, Joel’s body is buried on prison grounds. According to legend, his spirit still remains.

The last execution handled by Burlington County Prison was in 1906 – the State of New Jersey took over executions the following year. Two men, co-conspirators in a robbery/murder, were ceremoniously hanged in a very public spectacle.

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Flickr/Peter Miller

But the prison's most famous murder took place near a group holding cell. On November 5th, 1920, Warden William Harry King was delivering medicine to a prisoner in the basement. After opening the cell door, he was battered with an iron rod and killed instantly. The prisoner then headed toward the kitchen and murdered another inmate. The basement is believed to be one of the most haunted parts of the prison.

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Flickr/Peter Miller

Another haunted spot is the "death cell," also known as the "dungeon." This cement box was the spot where prisoners spent their last days of life before execution. They were chained to the ground by their ankles, with limited outside contact. The original chain still remains in the cell and many report that it moves on its own.

Flickr/Peter Miller

If rattling chains weren't creepy enough, other paranormal occurrences include shadowy figures, disembodied voices and massive spikes on EMF readers. The prison is now a museum, and during renovations, workers reported tools going missing, feelings of being watched, and screams with no known source.

The prison has been investigated by paranormal experts several times over the years, and the footage has always been quite conclusive – it seems that something supernatural roams the halls. For a peek into a recent investigation, check out this short (but spooky) video by Reality Entertainment.

The prison/museum is open from Thursday – Sunday until 4 p.m.. Standard admission is just $5, and discounts are available to students and seniors. Audio tours can be purchased for $3. Perhaps you’ll run into a few spirits on your visit? For more haunted places in New Jersey, check out this Haunted Road Trip of the Garden State.