It opened in 1866, built to house the state’s most violent offenders of the law. The West Virginia Penitentiary occupies 10 acres in Moundsville. It stands as a silent fortress now but housed inmates until its cell were deemed “inhumane” and it ceased operations in 1995. The inmates may have left the building, but many agree the spirits and ghosts still occupy the area.

How do I know about the ghosts? I have firsthand knowledge. Since starting my haunted tour company in 2005, I have rented the penitentiary out on nearly 50 nights, securing the building for our ghost hunts, or investigations as many prefer to call them.  We arrive at the Pen before midnight and stay till about 5 am. Many seek proof of the paranormal and some just come for the thrill of it. Thousands have come from many different states on these overnight adventures. I came to the conclusion early on that more than just bats flit around in the hallways at night.

The WV Pen has many entities that occasionally make themselves “known”.  Several paranormal hotspots in the old prison include the Boiler Room, the Psych Ward, and the indoor recreation area known as the Sugar Shack. One of my favorites is North Hall. This area was where the worst offenders were housed. You did not get a cell in North Hall upon entering the prison as an inmate. You were sent to North Hall after doing something very bad while already in the prison. Inmates were housed in their cells for about 23 hours per day. This would leave much time for inmates to reflect upon their crimes, or to possibly fester in their cells filled with hate and revenge while secretly making shank weapons.

North Hall has its own hotspots. Take for instance Danny’s cell. Danny was the leader of a biker gang and ended up in prison. He was murdered by another inmate when stabbed thru the eye and into his brain causing a hemorrhage and his death. His old cell is often plagued by cold spots and odd anomalies that show up in ghost hunter’s photographs. I myself had the experience of being tapped on the shoulder while standing alone in his dark cell one night. I thought someone had snuck up behind me, but no one was there.

Another hotspot in North Hall is that of Red’s cell. Red was stabbed 35 times by a neighboring inmate while exiting his cell one day. Red’s cell tends to make people very uncomfortable, especially women. These uncomfortable feeling happen not only in the cells. Inmates were shoved off of higher levels while falling to their death. Some inmates took the easy route and simply killed themselves by hanging or my cutting their throats. Deaths occurred by execution as well. 85 hangings and 9 electrocutions took place at the Pen until the death penalty was abolished in 1965.

All in all, if you are interested in the criminal justice system, if you like old gothic architecture or history…take a day tour. If you are interested in what comes out to walk the shadows after the sun sets…come investigate at night!

Visit our HauntedHistory.net for ghost hunt dates  or check out wvpentours.com for day tours.

Sherri Brake lives in Muddlety, WV,  is a published author and paranormal investigator. Her blog is www.sherribrake.blogspot.com. Email her at sherri@hauntedhistory.net.

To enjoy all the articles and features of the February 2011 issue, download the digital edition.