Every abandoned, crumbling prison today claims to be haunted, but few have any proof or firsthand experiences to back up the stories. The Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise, however, is completely different. While nearly everyone in southern Idaho has visited this historic and sprawling campus at some point, few fully realize that the Old Pen is actually one of the most haunted buildings in the state – and that the legends exist for good reason. The Ghost Adventures crew and dozens of other paranormal groups and individuals swear they have witnessed paranormal activity while inside, ranging from voices and shadowy figures to mysterious ghost lights and physical encounters.

It makes perfect sense that of all the buildings in Idaho, this capital city prison would be so plagued by restless spirits – it operated for over 100 years between 1872 and 1973, well before Idaho was even a state, and was hand-built by the prisoners themselves housed within its stone facade. That’s a long time for violence, brutal murders, and suicides to accumulate within the walls of the complex’s 30 buildings, especially in the gallows and solitary confinement areas. Solitary confinement alone was rumored to have caused dozens of inmates to lose their minds.

Completely harmless by day, only the bravest souls on earth would voluntarily step foot inside such a place after nightfall. Are you one of them? Watch a few minutes of this Ghost Adventures episode and decide for yourself.

Idaho’s most notorious criminals, murderers, and violent offenders were housed here, and the inexplicable sightings and sounds by local residents just keep adding up. If given the chance, would you ever step foot in the Idaho State Penitentiary alone at night? You may or may not come out…

For more paranormal places just in time for the Halloween season, check out our haunted places road trip, the most haunted campground in Idaho, or these 7 spooky historic cemeteries. For the uber brave, many of these abandoned places in Idaho are rumored to be haunted as well. So what are you waiting for? And be sure to stay tuned while we explore more incredible legends and hauntings this season!

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