Is Joliet Prison Haunted?

Is Joliet Prison haunted?  Pat and Rebecca explore another south suburban Chicago landmark with a haunted past – Joliet Prison. Over its 140+ year history, Joliet Prison housed thousands of inmates and has been used in several popular movies (Blues Brothers) and television shows (Prison Break, Empire). But is it haunted?

Questions Explored in this Episode

When did Joliet Prison open? Who are some of its famous inmates? What happened during the prison riot of 1975? Are there any ghost stories associated with the prison? What happens on paranormal tours of the prison? Are there ghosts that haunt this prison?

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Joliet Prison at Night Photo by Rebecca RiversListener Mail and Questions

Listener mail is a ghost story about creepy doll and one that does not like fighting. Have a spooky story or question of your own (or someone you know)? Send your story or question to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 630-448-2138 and we might read or share it on the podcast. You could be on a future episode of Ghostly!

Ghost Story – Joliet Prison

Listen to Rebecca tell a ghost story inspired by her research into the stories told about Joliet Prison.

Joliet Prison 2nd Floor Window Photo by Rebecca RiversHistory of Joliet Prison

Pat covers some of the key highlights of the prison’s history. Throughout it’s history this building has seen a lot of inmates and a lot of change.

The Debate for Joliet Prison

Rebecca has some strong evidence to debate, including a sighting by Pat and Rebecca themselves while visiting the prison. There is also the ghost of Sausage King Adolph Luetgert’s wife and the singing ghost in the penitentiary cemetery. What will they rate each story?

A picture of the A.L. Sausage & Packing Company featured inside a company paperweight. Image Credit: Alchemy of BonesPoll Results

Find out what listeners said for the Country House Restaurant episode – Is the Country House Restaurant haunted? Still need to listen to our previous episode? Check it out here.

Ghostly Book ClubGhostly Book Club

Interested in joining our new Ghostly Book Club? If you want to read spooky books and talk about them with fellow Ghostly listeners, sign up at ghostlypodcast.com/book-club. Our first meeting is October 29th.

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Sources for this Week’s Episode

Joliet Prison Website: https://www.jolietprison.org/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joliet_Correctional_Center
Joliet Area Historical Museum: https://www.jolietmuseum.org/schedule-tour
Patch.com: https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/tormented-spirits-are-haunting-old-joliet-prison-ferak-column
Chicago Mag: http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/October-2018/A-Night-Hunting-Ghosts-at-Joliet-Prison/
Joliet Hauntings.com: https://www.joliethauntings.com/history-and-hauntings
Troy Taylor Books: http://troytaylorbooks.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-sausage-vat-murder.html

Additional Reading

Haunted Joliet Prison by Wendy Moxley Roe
https://amzn.to/3mYyQt9
The Haunting of Joliet Prison by Usula Bielski
https://amzn.to/2S40BSS

Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers
Intro: “III. Allegro moderato from Gargoyles” by Lowell Liebermann
Outro: “Dream Images (Love-Death Music)” by George Crumb
Bumper: “Ghost Waltz” by Lowell Liebermann