10 Abandoned Prisons Hiding Throughout the U.S. – and They Could Be in Your Backyard

The history of crime and punishment in America is a fascinating and complex narrative. As attitudes towards incarceration and criminality shifted over the years, many historic penitentiaries fell silent, and became abandoned prisons in the U.S., left to decay in the cities where they were built. These abandoned prisons in the US are equal parts eerie, heartbreaking, and hauntingly beautiful.

1. Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Eastern State Penitentiary operated from 1829 to 1971. When first constructed, the prison was the largest and most costly public structure ever built. Many parts of the prison have been left exactly as they were in the past, including the prison's old barber chair, which is still rooted to the floor of the barber shop. The "plush" cell of Al Capone, American gangster and former inmate, is one of the most fascinating spots in this prison. While he occupied the cell for only a short time, it included luxurious amenities most prisoners did not have, such as a desk with a chair, lamps, an armchair, a radio, and a cabinet. Today, Eastern State Penitentiary is a National Historic Landmark and open to the public, and one of the most historic prisons to visit in the USA.

2. Ohio State Reformatory - Mansfield, Ohio

Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, this prison opened in 1886 and closed in 1990. The East Cell Block is still the largest free-standing steel cell block in the world. This was the prison used to film much of "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994), and you can see the filming locations here on a tour. The prison's paranormal programs are also popular among the ghost-hunting crowd, and it's considered one of the most haunted prisons in the U.S. The prison's restoration is ongoing, though much of the structure remains in a state of decay.

3. West Virginia State Penitentiary - Moundsville, West Virginia

This Gothic-style West Virginia prison operated from 1876 to 1995. At least 94 men were executed at this prison. "Old Sparky," the prison's electric chair, was actually built by inmate Paul Glenn. Today, the prison is open for tours. It also serves as a training facility for law enforcement officials.

4. Wyoming Frontier Prison - Rawlins, Wyoming

Wyoming Frontier Prison began operating in 1880 and contained about 500 medium-security prisoners. Inmate Henry Ruhl was executed at the Frontier Prison in 1945, and to date, he is the only person to be put to death by the Federal Government in Wyoming. The building is now a museum and offers guided tours. Visitors can also check out exhibits about the old prison, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

5. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary - San Francisco, California

Perhaps the most infamous prison in the U.S., Alcatraz was built in 1912 as a military prison and operated as a maximum security federal prison between 1934 and 1963. Due to its location in the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was considered America's most isolated and secure prison. However, 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts over the prison's lifetime. This famous escape of inmates Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin in 1962 was the only successful attempt from Alcatraz.

6. Old Idaho State Penitentiary - Boise, Idaho

This Idaho prison operated from 1872 to 1973, and is only 10 years younger than Idaho itself. The prison was built to hold about 600 people, and saw over 13,000 inmates over its lifetime. The prison closed due to overcrowding and riots. Today, you can visit the Old Idaho State Penitentiary's museum and take a self-guided tour.

7. Tennessee State Prison - Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State Prison opened in 1898 and closed in 1992. Much of the prison was actually built using inmate labor, and prisoners worked for up to 16 hours a day on little food. Riots and uncontrollable prisoner violence contributed to the facility's closure. Today, the prison remains closed to the public due to hazardous conditions — do not trespass.

8. Atlanta Prison Farm - Atlanta, Georgia

This prison held many low-level offenders who were serving time for ordinance or traffic offenses. Prisoners spent their time farming, caring for livestock, making canned goods, and helping operate the prison dairy. The prison closed in 1995 after 50 years of operation. A fire destroyed much of the prison in 2009, as firefighters decided that extinguishing the blaze was not worth the risk given this old structure's age. Today, the prison is owned by the city, and trespassing is not allowed.

9. Old Essex County Jail - Newark, New Jersey

This jail (also called the Newark Street Jail) was designed by John Haviland, built in 1837, and closed in 1971, with the remaining inmates moved to a different facility. It's a popular spot for urban exploration, though the interior is unstable, not guaranteed to be safe, and trespassing is illegal.

10. Roseville State Prison - Roseville, Ohio

Opened in 1927, the Roseville State Prison was originally meant to serve as a satellite prison of the Ohio State Penitentiary. The prison closed in 1967 after two violent criminals escaped while working in the prison's brickmaking operation, and is not open to the public for visits or tours.

Which Abandoned Prisons You Can Visit Today

While you're not able to visit the grounds or interior of every abandoned prison on this list, there are quite a few that offer either history tours, haunted tours, or both. Here are a few of the aforementioned abandoned prisons in the US you can visit:

• The Wyoming Frontier Prison offers historic tours year-round. Check the website for the current schedule.
• Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia offers tours, exhibits, and special events such as the spooky Halloween Nights in October.
• Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary visits are done via ferry with Alcatraz City Cruises. While you must pay for the ferry ride, there is no admission fee to the prison. Visit the National Park Service website for more.
• West Virginia State Penitentiary is open seasonally and known for both its historical and paranormal tours.

The Most Fascinating Abandoned Prisons in the U.S.

These prisons are among the most fascinating abandoned sites in the U.S., and it's not just their history — many are considered haunted and draw thousands of ghost hunters and paranormal investigators each year. Have you ever been to any of these abandoned prisons in the USA? How about these 19 abandoned cities and towns in the US? These places are truly captivating to visit and ideal for both history buffs and urban explorers alike.