Old Idaho Penitentiary – Haunted Prison in Boise, Idaho

The Old Idaho Penitentiary stands as one of the American West’s most notorious former prisons. Its stone walls contained some of Idaho’s most dangerous criminals for over a century.

This fortress-like structure operated from 1872 until 1973 as a territorial and state prison. Today, visitors report chilling encounters with spirits who refuse to leave their cells.

The penitentiary’s sandstone walls witnessed executions, riots, murders, and countless acts of violence during its operational years. Many believe the suffering that occurred here has permanently stained the grounds with paranormal energy.

Ghost hunters and paranormal investigators consistently rank this location among America’s most haunted prisons. The spirits here aren’t shy about making their presence known to visitors.

Historical Background

Construction of the Old Idaho Penitentiary began in 1870 using sandstone quarried by convict labor. The facility officially opened its doors to inmates in 1872 as a territorial prison.

Idaho became a state in 1890, and the penitentiary continued operating for another 83 years. The prison housed both male and female inmates in separate cell blocks throughout its history.

The facility was designed to hold approximately 200 inmates at maximum capacity. By the time it closed in 1973, overcrowding had become a severe problem with over 400 inmates.

Ten executions took place within these walls between 1885 and 1957. The first execution was by hanging, while later executions used the gallows before transitioning to other methods.

Raymond Allen Snowden became the last person executed at the penitentiary on October 18, 1957. He was hanged for the brutal murder of Cora Lucyle Dean in Boise.

A violent riot erupted in 1971, causing extensive damage to the facility. Inmates set fires and destroyed property, leading officials to question the prison’s continued operation.

The prison officially closed in December 1973 after Idaho opened a new correctional facility. The old penitentiary was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors to the Old Idaho Penitentiary report an overwhelming sense of being watched throughout the facility. Many describe feeling sudden temperature drops in specific cells and corridors without explanation.

Shadow figures are among the most commonly reported phenomena within the prison walls. These dark forms move quickly through cell blocks and disappear when witnesses try to approach them.

Disembodied voices echo through empty corridors when no living person is present. Staff members and tour guides have heard conversations, shouting, and whispered words coming from vacant cells.

Cell doors slam shut on their own despite being securely fastened open for tours. The sound of metal clanging reverberates through the buildings with no physical cause.

Physical touches and pushes occur frequently, particularly in Death Row and Solitary Confinement areas. Visitors report feeling hands on their shoulders or sudden shoves from invisible forces.

Photographic anomalies appear regularly when guests take pictures inside the facility. Orbs, mists, and unexplained figures show up in photographs that weren’t visible during capture.

Electronic equipment malfunctions without explanation, with cameras and recording devices draining batteries instantly. Fully charged devices often die within minutes of entering certain cell blocks.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The spirit of an inmate named Jack is one of the most active entities at the penitentiary. He reportedly died in a cell fire and now makes his presence known through the smell of smoke.

Witnesses describe encountering Jack’s apparition in the older cell blocks near where he perished. He appears as a shadowy figure moving between cells, sometimes visible only in peripheral vision.

A female spirit haunts the Women’s Ward, which operated from 1905 until the prison’s closure. Guards reported hearing a woman crying late at night even when all inmates were accounted for.

This mysterious woman is believed to be a former inmate who died under suspicious circumstances. Her apparition has been seen standing near the windows, looking out toward the surrounding mountains.

The ghost of Raymond Snowden, the last man hanged at the penitentiary, reportedly haunts the execution area. Staff members describe hearing footsteps climbing the gallows stairs when the building is empty.

Snowden’s presence manifests as an overwhelming feeling of dread and despair near the gallows. Some visitors report feeling an invisible noose tightening around their necks in this area.

Multiple guards who worked at the prison before its closure reported seeing the “Warden’s Ghost.” This well-dressed apparition walks through locked doors and vanishes near the administrative offices.

Cell House Three is home to particularly aggressive spirits that interact physically with visitors. Tour guides recount stories of guests being scratched, pushed, and having their hair pulled by unseen hands.

An inmate who was murdered in the recreation yard allegedly returns to the scene of his death. Visitors report seeing a man in striped prison clothing walking across the yard before disappearing.

The Tuberculosis Ward contains some of the saddest spirits within the penitentiary’s walls. Patients who died there from the disease reportedly still cough and moan in their former rooms.

Most Haunted Spot

Solitary Confinement, known as “Siberia,” is universally considered the most haunted location within the penitentiary. The small, dark cells held inmates in complete isolation, sometimes for months at a time.

Visitors to Siberia report overwhelming feelings of anxiety, claustrophobia, and intense negative energy. Many people cannot remain in these cells for more than a few minutes before feeling compelled to leave.

Cell Five in the Solitary Confinement block produces the most dramatic paranormal experiences. Guests report being touched, hearing whispered threats, and experiencing sudden temperature drops exceeding 20 degrees.

The execution chamber where hangings took place ranks as another intensely haunted location. People describe feeling watched and hearing the trapdoor drop despite the gallows being inactive for decades.

Death Row in Cell House One contains cells where condemned prisoners spent their final days. The oppressive atmosphere here causes some visitors to become physically ill or emotionally distressed.

Can You Visit?

Yes, the Old Idaho Penitentiary is open to the public as a historical museum. The Idaho State Historical Society operates the facility and welcomes visitors year-round.

General admission costs approximately $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. Children under age six receive free admission when accompanied by paying adults.

Self-guided tours are available during regular museum hours, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. Audio tours provide historical context and information about the facility’s most notorious inmates.

Special paranormal investigation tours occur throughout the year, particularly during October’s Halloween season. These after-hours events allow ghost hunters to explore the facility with specialized equipment.

Photography is permitted throughout the facility for personal use. Many visitors specifically come to capture potential paranormal evidence in photographs and videos.

The museum typically operates from noon to 5:00 PM daily during summer months. Winter hours are more limited, generally Thursday through Sunday, so checking current schedules is recommended.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at the Old Idaho Penitentiary increases significantly during evening and overnight hours. The facility’s special after-dark investigation events provide the best opportunities for supernatural encounters.

October brings heightened paranormal activity according to long-time staff members and frequent visitors. The veil between worlds seems thinner during autumn months, making spirits more communicative.

Winter months, particularly January and February, produce intense paranormal experiences in outdoor areas. The cold, dark atmosphere mirrors the prison’s operational conditions, possibly triggering residual hauntings.

Early morning hours before the museum opens reportedly see significant spiritual activity. Employees arriving to prepare for daily operations have documented numerous unexplained phenomena during these quiet times.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A museum volunteer named Sarah reported being locked inside a cell in Cell House Three. The door slammed shut despite being propped open, and she heard laughter coming from the empty corridor.

Photography enthusiast Mike captured a full-bodied apparition in his camera during a 2018 visit. The figure appears to be wearing prison stripes and stands in a cell doorway before vanishing.

Tour guide Jennifer describes hearing her name called by a male voice while locking up one evening. She was completely alone in the building, and the voice came from the direction of Death Row.

Paranormal investigator team “Idaho Spirit Seekers” documented EVP recordings containing clear threats and warnings. The voices told them to leave and used profanity common among the prison’s former inhabitants.

A maintenance worker named Robert refuses to enter Siberia alone after being pushed down the stairs. He felt two hands on his back and heard someone laugh as he stumbled forward.

Visitor Amanda from California reported seeing a woman in old-fashioned clothing in the Women’s Ward. The figure smiled at her before walking through a solid wall and disappearing completely.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Ghost Adventures crew filmed an episode at the Old Idaho Penitentiary in 2012. They captured compelling evidence including unexplained voices, shadow figures, and dramatic equipment malfunctions.

Lead investigator Zak Bagans reported being physically attacked in Solitary Confinement during the investigation. He experienced scratches appearing on his back and felt an entity trying to possess him.

The television show “Ghost Hunters” investigated the facility and documented significant electromagnetic field fluctuations. These readings occurred in locations associated with violent deaths and executions.

Local paranormal groups conduct regular investigations with the museum’s permission and cooperation. Multiple teams have recorded class-A EVP evidence containing clear, intelligent responses to questions.

Thermal imaging cameras have captured unexplained cold spots moving through corridors and cells. These temperature anomalies often take human shapes and appear to react to investigator presence.

Spirit box sessions produce remarkably clear responses from entities claiming to be former inmates. The spirits provide names, cell numbers, and details about their lives that match historical records.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors must stay on designated pathways and avoid climbing on structures or entering restricted areas. The facility contains century-old buildings with potential structural hazards and unstable surfaces.

Photography is allowed, but commercial filming requires advance permission and special permits. Drone usage is prohibited without prior authorization from the Idaho State Historical Society.

After-hours access is strictly forbidden except during organized paranormal investigation events. Trespassing on the grounds outside operating hours can result in arrest and criminal charges.

The museum recommends visitors with heart conditions or anxiety disorders exercise caution in intense areas. Several people have experienced panic attacks, particularly in Solitary Confinement and the execution chamber.

Children should be supervised at all times due to both safety hazards and potentially frightening experiences. Some areas may be too intense for young or sensitive visitors.

Local Legends & Myths

Local legend tells of an inmate who cursed the prison before his execution in 1901. He supposedly vowed to haunt the facility forever and make the living fear walking its corridors.

Some believe this curse explains why paranormal activity intensified after the prison’s closure. The spirits seem angrier and more active now than when the facility was operational.

A story persists about hidden tunnels beneath the penitentiary where guards tortured unruly inmates. While no evidence proves these tunnels exist, people report hearing screams coming from underground.

The “Phantom Guard” legend describes a uniformed officer who appears to visitors before violent paranormal encounters. Witnesses claim seeing him moments before experiencing physical attacks from unseen forces.