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The outside walls of Eastern State Penitentiary.
The main gates of Eastern State Penitentiary.
Prolog
In early spring of 2008 Long Island Paranormal Investigators conducted a private overnight
investigation in the historic Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia.
The shear size of the facility was a challenge for both equipment setup and
coordination of investigation teams. But all was performed well and a
successful investigation was conducted.
History of Eastern State Penitentiary
In the historic city of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania stands the 11-acre menacing structure that is
Eastern State Penitentiary. In 1787, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a member of the
Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons, presented
the idea to create a "true penitentiary", a place of penitence.
Historical plaque outside Eastern State Penitentiary.
Thirty years
later, the Society finally got the approval. Its system was inspired by Quaker
methods, which was isolation of the prisoner & labor. This place would not
just serve for punishment, but would try & help the criminal find
enlightenment. John Haviland, a British architect, was hired to over-see the construction of the penitentiary in 1822.
It was his “radial” design that had gotten him the job, which originally
belonged to William Strickland. The original 7 cellblocks, stemmed from a
central rotunda, which was used for surveillance.
Eastern State Penitentiary layout diagram.
Church inspired arched windows
& 30 ft hallways were the interior design idea. The outside was designed in
a Gothic-medieval style to intimidate those around & make those fear what
would lie beyond those walls. He called it "a forced monastery, a machine to reform". He also made sure every prisoner
had their own cell with heat, flushing toilet, running water & a skylight.
Over 300 prisons around the world were designed after Eastern State in the 19th
Century. In October of 1829, Eastern State opened its doors & received its
first inmate Charles Williams, a burglar. Many believed that solitude &
labor would lead to regret & penitence, which was called the Pennsylvania
System. The prisoner would be given a Bible & honest work to pass his or her
time. Masks were made for the prisoners to avoid contact with others when
outside the cells & to prevent escape. Feed doors & individual exercise
yards were constructed to avoid any contact with others.
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Food hole in a cell door. |
Example of a hooded Eastern State prisoner. |
By 1913 the isolation of prisoners was over
& inmates were allowed to eat & work together. In July of 1923, Leo
Callahan & 5 others escaped Eastern State & to this day he’s never been
captured. Several famous inmates spent time at Eastern State such as William
Francis Sutton a.k.a "Slick" Willie & Al "Scarface" Capone. "Slick" Willie
was 1 of 12 inmates that successfully escaped in 1945 from a tunnel that was
dug by Clarence Klinedinst. They were all re-captured soon after.
This prisoner escaped by tunneling under the walls
of Eastern State Penitentiary.
The famous Willie Sutton also escaped by way of this tunnel.
Both were quickly recaptured. There was
even Pep the dog, who was sentenced to life for killing Governor Gifford Pinchot’s wife’s cat. He was even given inmate number "C2559".
Pep the prison dog's prisoner photo.Many more cellblocks were built in
the coming years, which were called “Klondike”. These cells were much different
than the originals, small & windowless, no running water or light. They
were used for true punishment. The last addition was in 1956 with the
construction of "Death Row", cellblock 15. Death row only held prisoners that
were sentenced to death; executions have never taken place at Eastern State.
Elmo Lee Smith was one of the most vicious inmates held in death row for the
mutilation & murder of several young girls & in April of 1962 he was
the last person in Pennsylvania to be executed on the electric chair.
One of the more infamous prisoners of Eastern State Penitentiary.
In 1961, the Government made
Eastern State a national historical landmark & in 1971 it closed it’s doors
after 142 years. In the coming years the site was used by the city as storage, a place for vandals & was even
threatened to be demolished for commercial use. Thanks to the Pew Charitable
Trusts, the beginning of preserving the site began in 1991. It remained closed
to the public for nearly 20 years when in 1994 it re-opened its doors for daily
tours of this historic site. Even though the penitentiary is open for tours a
lot of the areas are is in ruin & is closed off for the safety of the
public. Funding from the city of Philadelphia & the help of the Eastern
State Penitentiary Historic Site Inc, preservation & restoration of the
prison has been & still is on-going.
Haunted History
John the Lock Smith
LIPI was told the story of John, a lock smith who
was working on repairing the door locks on the gates that opened up from the
prisoner private exercises areas to the baseball field. John report that was
he was preparing to exit one of the exercise areas he was working in a large
black mass he described as a Vortex
appeared at the door way.
One of the private prisoner exercise areas at Eastern State Penitentiary.
John had to run through it to get out. As he ran
through the vortex he said it felt 'things' were trying to grab at him and
pull him into the vortex.
Ghost Cats
Throughout the grounds, hallways, cell blocks and
even in the cells of Eastern State
Penitentiary are a number of plaster figures of cats.
A pair of cat figure at Eastern State Penitentiary.
These are in tribute
to Dan McCloud (aka "Dan The Cat Man). For 28 years after the prison
officially closed in 1971 Dan would come 3 times a week to feed the jail
house cats that remained.
A plaque about Dan McCloud and the cats of Eastern
State Penitentiary.
The cats were all eventually captured and neutered
but allowed to live out their lives on the prison grounds. Officially the
last cat died in 2003 or 2004 but current penitentiary workers state they
have seen a cat or two still on the grounds.
Reports differ as to the number of plaster cat
sculptures. Officially the count is 36 but we also heard there are 48.
The Investigation Team
LIPI's investigation team was lead by Lead
Investigators Mike Cardinuto and Jaiem Fleischmann. Other members and guests in attendance
were Justin "Credible" DiGangi, Paul Guarino, Thelma D'Amico,
Mariela D'Amico, Amanda DeCarlo, Mike Bainbrdige, Craig Sordyl, Jacqueline Morena,
and Cheryl Wittmann.
The LIPI investigation team in front of the main
gates of Eastern State Penitentiary.
The Investigation Equipment
For investigating this penitentiary Long Island
Paranormal Investigators used our 4
camera DVR system, our
Hi8 Video Camera,
digital and
analog audio recorders,
digital photography and
35mm photography, a variety of
EMF detectors including the
K2 meter and
Trifield meter,
IR thermometers,
digital and
ambient thermometers,
IM-176 Geiger counter, and our
remote temperature data logger.
LIPI investigators load equipment before departing
for Eastern State Penitentiary.
The DVR system's IR cameras were placed in several of the cell blocks,
including the Cell Block 12, the location where TAPS recording an apparent
shadow figure.
LIPI Lead Investigator Mike Cardinuto directs the
equipment setup at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Long Island Paranormal Investigators Tech Crew
setting up at Eastern State Penitentiary.
LIPI investigators load equipment before departing
for Eastern State Penitentiary.
The Investigation Plan
The plan called a
lights out investigation with 4 teams of 2 investigators
and one team of 3 investigators each to spend time investigating the cell
blocks that radiate out from the central rotunda. Long Island Paranormal
Investigators teams would rotate
throughout the night giving everyone a chance to investigate the whole area
as well as bring different equipment to each location. Unfortunately due to
on going restoration activities at Easter State Penitentiary not all the
cell blocks were available for us to have access during this investigation.
Long Island Paranormal Investigators Lead
Investigator Jaiem Fleischmann (center) instructs LIPI guests
Jacqueline Morena (left) and Mariela D'Amico (right) on procedures for the
night's investigation
at Eastern State Penitentiary.
The Investigation
The LIPI team left Long Island early Saturday
morning for the drive down to Philadelphia, PA.
One of the LIPI vehicles outside Eastern State Penitentiary.
The drive down to Philadelphia was quick and easy
dEastern State Penitentiaryite the rain and drizzle that was encountered. We arrived at our hotel,
briefly checked in, then decided to go over to Eastern State Penitentiary for a day time visit.
Long Island Paranormal Investigators' investigators
(left to right) Cheryl Wittmann and Thelma D'Amico
with LIPI guest Mariela D'Amico on the streets of Philadelphia outside Eastern State Penitentiary.
View of looking into Eastern State Penitentiary from
inside the main prison gates.
A view inside of the walls of Eastern State
Penitentiary.
Driving up to Eastern State Penitentiary was an experience itself! The share size
of the facility and the medieval castle appearance was striking and imposing
(just what the designer intended as a symbol of the justice system). Looking at
the outer walls and guard towers one could hardly imagine such a structure with
in a major city.
LIPI went into the visitors area and confirmed our
scheduled night investigation. We also decided to sign up for a day time tour to
get both day photos as well as a good feel for the location before we had to be
there in the dark.
Tech Manager Justin in the visitors hallway of
Eastern State Penitentiary
Long Island Paranormal Investigators sign in
for the tour and paranormal investigation.
Drawing of original planned lay out.
Depictions of daily life.
The original door of Eastern State Penitentiary.
Investigators Mike Bainbridge and Paul Gaurino
in the Visitation Room.
Examples of home-made weapons confiscated from
Eastern State Penitentiary prisoners.
Examples of other prison designs around the
world inspired by Eastern State Penitentiary.
Our tour guide took us inside the walls of the prison. He
explained the uniqueness of the design and construction. Touring the hallways it
was explained the ideas of the early builders for prisoner reform and how those
ideas changed over the years. Many of the more famous inmates and events were
pointed out. Unfortunately several of the cell blocks were undergoing extensive
renovation and we were unable to go inside, both during the day and at night.
LIPI on the day time tour of Eastern State Penitentiary.
The following are photos of the various hallways, cell blocks, and out door
areas in Eastern State Penitentiary:
On of Eastern State Penitentiary's guard towers.
Eastern State Penitentiary prison baseball field.
A more typical prisoner cell in Eastern State Penitentiary.
Eastern State Penitentiary was unique to offer indoor plumbing and
central heating.
After the tour LIPI took a break and had lunch at a local
deli near Eastern State Penitentiary. We then returned to our hotel for a bit of relaxation before the
evening’s investigation.
LIPI investigators enjoy lunch after the Eastern State Penitentiary
daytime tour.
We returned to Eastern State Penitentiary shortly after dark and had dinner at
Jack’s across the street.
LIPI at the dinner table at Jack's, across the street
from Eastern State Penitentiary.
Long Island Paranormal Investigators
having dinner at Jack's before investigating Eastern State Penitentiary.
After dinner we met up with our Eastern State Penitentiary guide/chaperone for the
night and began setting up for the investigation. The setup went quickly and we went lights-out throughout
the prison except for the central hub/rotunda.
Lead investigator Mike Cardinuto lends a hand
carrying in equipment for the investigation.
Investigator Thelma D'Amico sets up a digital
thermometer in a cell block.
Note the orb in the lower right is dust.
LIPI investigation teams took turns in the various cell
blocks and outside areas of the prison.
Investigator Craig Sordyl in Cell Block 12, 3rd floor.
Far end of cell block 12.
Note: LIPI investigator
Craig Sordyl on the far left.
LIPI guest Amanda DeCarlo takes 35mm photos in cell
block 12 at Eastern State Penitentiary.
The remains of the Eastern State Penitentiary isolation cells (cell block
13).
Lead investigator Mike Cardinuto takes EMF
readings in the Al Capone cell block.
A DVR IR camera stands watch in a dark cell block
hallway inside Eastern State Penitentiary.
LIPI Lead Investigator Jaiem Fleischmann takes
digital photographs at cell block 8
inside at Eastern State Penitentiary.
The restored Al Capone cell, as it was when he was
an inmate in Eastern State Penitentiary.
Photograph of Al Capone's inmate record at in
Eastern State Penitentiary.
LIPI investigator Craig Sordyl performs IR
Thermometer measurements in a cell block hallway
inside at Eastern State Penitentiary.
The investigation concluded at 3am. We were exhausted.
The next morning after a brief continental breakfast we hit
the road for our ride back to Long Island with many hours of video and audio to
review for this investigation.
LIPI investigators early the next chilly morning ready to
return to Long Island.
Findings:
Audio : (Analysis in progress - results will be posted when
completed)
Photographs : (Analysis in progress - results will be posted when
completed)
Video : (Analysis in progress - results will be posted when
completed)
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Personal Experiences
on Site |
- Date: March 15, 2008
Location: Baseball field/Al Capone cell block hallway
Description: Lead investigator Jaiem Fleischmann and
investigator Mike Bainbridge were at the prison baseball field. Mike
tried to call the ghosts of the cats with no apparent results.
Approximately 20 minutes later inside the Al Capone cell block
hallway both investigators twice clearly heard the sound of a cat
meowing.
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Date: March 15, 2008
Location: Cell block 12, 3rd level
Description: Lead investigator Jaiem Fleischmann and
investigator Craig Sordyl were mid-way in the cell block when Jaiem
saw a shadow move along the opposite wall. A few moments later he
reported seeing what appeared to be a dark figure standing in front of
a cell at the far end of the cell block.
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Date: March 15, 2008
Location: Al Capone cell block hall way
Description: Long Island Paranormal Investigators' guest
Mariela D'Amico reported suddenly feeling a deep and intense feeling
of sadness and the feeling that something wanted her to leave the area
immediately.
- Date: March 16, 2008
Location: Al Capone cell block hallway
Description: Lead investigator Jaiem Fleischmann and
investigator Cheryl Wittmann were taking EMF readings when Cheryl
said it felt like something had moved past her. She said it felt
like a wave had passed over her.
- Date: March 16, 2008
Location: Al Capone cell block hallway
Description: Investigator Thelma D'Amico and LIPI guest Jacqueline
Morena were leaning against the
wall doing EVPs when they both looked down the hallway toward the Al
Capone cell, where the mirrors are on the hallway walls. They report
seeing what looked like the
reflection of a person walking quickly past one of the mirrors (from
right to left) twice in the same direction fast. Thelma called for
Investigators Mike Cardinuto and Justin via
walkie-talkie to come and help
try to debunk what they saw. In spite of several attempts all four
were unable to recreate an debunk debunk it.
- Date: March 16, 2008
Location: Al Capone cell block hallway
Description: Investigator Thelma D'Amico and LIPI guest Jacqueline
Morena were in the wing and Jacqueline's
K2 meter was acting strangely when
standing by
cell 470. The green light was flickering quickly & when she reached
a certain point all the lights on it died completely. It also
happened when they sat in the one cell that had little bunks in it. It
would be working fine & then the lights would flicker & die.
The batteries in the meter had been replaced prior to this
investigation.
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Conclusions: Long Island Paranormal Investigators
is still reviewing our evidence. The results will be posted here when
completed.
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