Get Locked-Up At The Idaho State Pen

Get Locked-Up At The Idaho State Penitentiary

Michael and I didn’t know this until we visited one weekend, but the Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise has been deemed as the most haunted prison in all of the state! It has been investigated by ghost hunters, historians and paranormal activity experts who all confirm the strange energies in various places throughout the prison are a common occurrence. I HATE being scared, especially by ghosts, but since this is such a popular Boise activity and something that I have never experienced before, Michael and I decided to do it. And of course it scared me half to death, and because of that, it makes the list of Boyle's Boise: 52 Things to Do and See.

Again, like I said, I don’t usually do well in these types of situations, and I hate watching scary movies, so Michael had to drag me through this entire activity. That being said, it was such a rush and I’m glad I went because there is so much history and experience in this prison. Here are some things that I learned on our tour:

In the year 1870, this massive and spooky structure was constructed in an effort to control the criminals in and around the area of Boise. Through the years, many additional buildings were added as the need for more room increased. While the prison was quite peaceful in the early years, by the year 1935 the behavior of the inmates changed and many riots and other types of violence started to erupt. It is believed that the hauntings of this prison started with the violence. Here, you will learn about the haunting tales of the most haunted prison in all of Idaho! 

Haunting Tales 

One of the most common of all of the haunting tales of this prison occurs when individuals who visit the massive structure approach the chambers of the executioner. Many have entered this area, and have felt an immense feeling of sadness. These individuals have become quite anxious, and have felt a strong sense of dread. Many visitors have been so sensitive to the paranormal activity in this area of the prison that they have been overwhelmed emotionally, and cried or they have become quite ill. Many who tour the facility have to end their tour at these chambers simply because they are so overcome with emotions and feelings of physical malaise. 

The next common occurrences when it comes to this prison are the noises that cannot be explained. These include the sounds of running and walking, sounds that often reflect people talking in a certain area and nothing being found to explain them, and some seem to hear wails of grief. It is believed that the guards still walk among the cells of the prisoners, ensuring that they are staying in line. These events have been researched by ghost hunters from various places and have been found to be a direct result of the energy emitted in the areas while the facility was under operation. This means that the hauntings are residual – they hold not intelligence, only manifest as recordings of the past. 

If you are up for a good ghost hunting trip, the most haunted prison in Idaho may tickle your fancy. There are many tours and events that are sponsored by the State of Idaho at the Idaho State Penitentiary.

About Me

I have been living in Idaho for my entire life, and the Treasure Valley has been my home for more than 30 years. In addition to constantly exploring the city and all of its activities, I am also very involved in the Treasure Valley’s philanthropy scene and have been working in the Mortgage industry as a Loan Officer for more than 35 years now. Additionally, my husband Michael had a 20+ year career in Real Estate. So if you are new to the area and looking to lay down some roots for your family, get involved with some great causes, connect with like-minded people or just explore all that Boise has to offer – please don’t hesitate to let me know!