Burlington County Prison Museum – Haunted Prison in Mount Holly, New Jersey

The Burlington County Prison Museum stands as a formidable reminder of justice from centuries past. This imposing stone fortress has witnessed countless tales of despair, violence, and death since its construction in 1811.

Visitors and staff report chilling encounters within its dark corridors and cramped cells. The building’s oppressive atmosphere seems to trap the energy of those who suffered behind its walls.

The prison operated continuously for 154 years before closing in 1965. During that time, it housed murderers, thieves, and mentally ill inmates in harsh conditions.

Many believe the spirits of former prisoners still roam the facility today. The museum has become one of New Jersey’s most actively haunted historic sites.

Historical Background

Architect Robert Mills designed the Burlington County Prison in 1808. Construction was completed in 1811, making it one of America’s oldest operating prisons.

Mills later became famous for designing the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. His Egyptian Revival architectural style gives the prison its distinctive and intimidating appearance.

The prison was built to house both male and female inmates in separate wings. It also contained a maximum security area for the most dangerous criminals.

The facility held prisoners awaiting trial at the nearby courthouse on High Street. Some inmates stayed for years while serving their sentences in cramped conditions.

Joel Clough became one of the prison’s most infamous inmates in 1857. He murdered his entire family with an axe in a brutal crime that shocked the community.

Clough was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging on the prison grounds. His execution took place in the prison yard where visitors can still walk today.

The prison closed its doors permanently on May 11, 1965. Burlington County opened a modern correctional facility to replace the aging structure.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors consistently report feeling overwhelming sadness and despair throughout the building. Many experience difficulty breathing in certain cells and hallways without explanation.

Disembodied footsteps echo through empty corridors when no one else is present. Staff members have heard these phantom footfalls countless times during closing procedures.

Shadow figures frequently appear in doorways and at the end of dark hallways. These dark masses move with purpose and seem to observe visitors before vanishing.

Cell doors slam shut on their own despite being secured in open positions. The heavy iron doors create thunderous crashes that startle tour groups regularly.

Temperature fluctuations occur without any logical source throughout the year. Visitors report sudden drops of twenty degrees in specific cells and corridors.

Electronic devices malfunction with alarming frequency inside the prison walls. Cameras drain completely within minutes, and flashlights fail in working order.

The ghost of Joel Clough is reportedly seen most often among the spirits. Witnesses describe a tall man in period clothing appearing in the maximum security wing.

A female spirit haunts the women’s wing on the upper floor. She appears as a translucent figure dressed in clothing from the 1800s.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Joel Clough’s spirit seems unable to rest after his violent execution in 1857. Multiple witnesses have reported seeing a tall, imposing figure matching his historical description.

He appears most frequently in Cell Block One where he awaited his death sentence. Visitors report feeling watched by an angry presence in this specific area.

One paranormal investigator captured an EVP recording asking about the axe murders. A gruff male voice responded clearly saying “They deserved their fate.”

The response matches historical accounts of Clough showing no remorse for his crimes. This recording has been analyzed by multiple experts and remains unexplained.

The women’s wing harbors the spirit of a prisoner who died during childbirth. Historical records confirm several women gave birth in the facility’s crude conditions.

Visitors hear crying and sobbing emanating from empty cells in this section. The sounds of a baby crying have also been reported by numerous witnesses.

One museum volunteer named Margaret reported a chilling encounter in 2008. She was locking up alone when she heard a woman’s voice calling for help.

Margaret searched the entire women’s wing but found no one present. The desperate pleas continued for several minutes before suddenly stopping completely.

The maximum security cells housed the most violent and unstable criminals. Today, visitors report feeling physically pushed and scratched in these dark spaces.

A tour guide named David experienced an aggressive encounter in Cell Number Seven. An unseen force shoved him hard against the stone wall without warning.

David felt hands on his chest pushing him backward with considerable strength. He saw bruises forming on his chest that lasted for two weeks.

The dungeon cells in the basement remain the most terrifying area. These tiny spaces held prisoners in complete darkness as punishment for infractions.

Visitors refuse to enter these cells after experiencing overwhelming feelings of panic. Some have reported seeing glowing red eyes staring from the darkness.

Local legend tells of a prisoner who went insane in solitary confinement. Guards found him dead one morning with his fingernails torn off completely.

He had scratched deep grooves into the stone walls during his final hours. These scratches remain visible today and send chills through those who see them.

Most Haunted Spot

The maximum security wing represents the prison’s most paranormally active location. Cell Number Seven specifically has earned a reputation as the most haunted spot.

This cell held Joel Clough during his months awaiting execution by hanging. His presence manifests through sudden temperature drops and overwhelming feelings of rage.

Visitors frequently refuse to enter this cell after sensing the hostile energy. Those who do enter report difficulty breathing and crushing pressure on their chests.

The dungeon punishment cells in the basement run a close second. These spaces were designed to break the spirit of troublesome inmates completely.

Total darkness and isolation drove many prisoners to madness in these cells. Their tortured spirits seem to remain trapped in this underground hell.

Can You Visit?

The Burlington County Prison Museum welcomes visitors year-round for historical tours. The facility operates as a museum managed by the Burlington County Prison Museum.

General admission costs eight dollars for adults and five dollars for children. Senior citizens receive a discounted rate of seven dollars per person.

Regular historical tours run Wednesday through Sunday from twelve to four PM. These daytime tours focus on the prison’s history and architecture primarily.

Special paranormal investigation tours occur monthly on Saturday evenings at seven PM. These events cost thirty dollars per person and require advance reservations.

Photography is permitted throughout the facility during regular daytime tours. Flash photography is encouraged to capture potential paranormal evidence on camera.

The museum asks visitors to respect the building and its tragic history. Running and loud behavior are prohibited to maintain the site’s somber atmosphere.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity intensifies dramatically during evening hours after sunset. The monthly night investigation tours offer the best opportunity for supernatural encounters.

October through December represents the most active period for ghostly manifestations. The anniversary of Joel Clough’s execution in April also sees increased activity.

Many investigators report the hours between ten PM and two AM as peak activity. This timeframe aligns with historical execution times at the prison.

Weekday visits tend to be quieter with fewer tourists disrupting the atmosphere. The emptier building allows spirits to manifest more readily without distraction.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Museum director Linda Brock has documented hundreds of paranormal experiences since 2000. She maintains detailed records of visitor reports and staff encounters with unexplained phenomena.

Linda herself witnessed a full-bodied apparition in the women’s wing in 2005. The transparent figure of a woman in period dress walked past her and vanished.

Security guard Thomas Martinez reported a terrifying incident during his overnight shift. He heard heavy footsteps approaching him in the empty Cell Block One corridor.

Thomas turned to investigate but saw absolutely no one present in the hallway. The footsteps continued past him and faded into the distance as he stood frozen.

Paranormal researcher team South Jersey Ghost Research investigated the prison in 2012. They captured multiple EVP recordings and unexplained temperature fluctuations on their equipment.

Team leader Sarah Chen recorded a male voice saying “Get out now” clearly. No living person was present in the maximum security wing at that moment.

A visitor named Patricia Williams photographed a strange mist in Cell Number Seven. The photo shows a human-shaped fog despite the cell being completely empty.

Professional analysis confirmed the image was not caused by camera malfunction or breath. The mist appeared to have a distinct face when the contrast was enhanced.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Atlantic Paranormal Society visited the prison for a private investigation in 2009. They recorded significant EMF fluctuations in multiple cells throughout the facility.

Their findings included unexplained voice recordings and dramatic temperature changes on thermal cameras. The team concluded the location showed genuine signs of paranormal activity.

Ghost Adventures filmed a lockdown investigation at the prison in 2011. Host Zak Bagans experienced physical contact from an unseen entity in the dungeon.

The crew’s equipment captured shadow figures on full-spectrum cameras multiple times. Their episode featuring the prison remains one of their most popular broadcasts.

Local paranormal group Jersey Devil Paranormal Investigators conducts quarterly studies at the museum. They have compiled over one hundred hours of audio and video evidence.

Their research suggests at least seven distinct spirits inhabit the building regularly. They have identified three male entities and two female presences with consistent personalities.

Psychic medium Rebecca Stone conducted a walk-through in 2015 without prior knowledge. She accurately identified Joel Clough by name and described his crimes in detail.

Rebecca also sensed the spirit of a young woman who died in childbirth. Historical records later confirmed a twenty-two-year-old prisoner died from complications in 1843.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The prison’s stone floors become extremely slippery when wet from cleaning or weather. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear with good traction to prevent falls.

Several staircases throughout the building are steep and narrow with low headroom. Tall visitors must duck when moving between floors to avoid injury.

The dungeon cells contain very low doorways that require careful navigation. Multiple visitors have sustained head injuries from striking the stone doorframes.

Museum staff members accompany all tours to ensure visitor safety and building preservation. Wandering away from tour groups is strictly prohibited for everyone’s protection.

Anyone experiencing difficulty breathing or panic attacks should exit immediately and notify staff. The oppressive atmosphere affects sensitive individuals in unpredictable ways sometimes.

The facility remains private property despite being open for public tours. Trespassing outside of scheduled visiting hours results in criminal charges without exception.

Cursed or Haunted Objects

The original gallows trapdoor mechanism remains on display in the museum collection. Multiple psychics have identified this artifact as containing residual traumatic energy.

Visitors who touch the trapdoor often report feeling sudden sadness and dread. Several people have experienced vivid visions of executions after making physical contact.

Joel Clough’s original cell door hangs in the maximum security wing exhibit. This heavy iron door reportedly swings open on its own when properly secured.

Staff members have witnessed this phenomenon at least twenty times over the years. Security cameras have captured the door moving without any visible force applied.

A collection of prisoner shackles and chains sits displayed in a glass case. These restraints were used on violent inmates during the prison’s operational years.

Visitors report hearing phantom rattling chains echoing through the building at night. The sound matches the specific tone of the antique shackles on display.

An old punishment chair used for restraining unruly inmates remains in the dungeon. Several psychics have refused to approach this chair due to its negative energy.

One investigator sat in the chair briefly and experienced immediate physical illness. She described feeling crushing weight on her chest and overwhelming terror for hours.

Nearby Haunted Places

Eastern State Penitentiary – Haunted Prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

📍 20.4 miles

Van Sant Covered Bridge – Haunted Bridge in New Hope, Pennsylvania

📍 24.5 miles

Pennhurst Asylum – Haunted Abandoned Asylum in Spring City, Pennsylvania

📍 42.6 miles

Proprietary House – Haunted Mansion in Perth Amboy, New Jersey

📍 44.5 miles

The Devil's Tree – Haunted Oak Tree in Bernards Township, New Jersey

📍 45.1 miles

The Spy House / Seabrook-Wilson House – Haunted Museum in Port Monmouth, New Jersey

📍 47.8 miles