The haunted halls of the Eastern State Penitentiary

Dust off your Ouija boards, because Cheryl Hole and Nikki Druce are holding a seance to contact the lost souls of Eastern State Penitentiary. Built in the early 1800s, the unique prison was designed to make it’s inmates find God and repent for their sins… that was until overcrowding and riots resulted in horrific torture and brutal killings. But how did a plan to help troubled souls atone turn into one of the most violent prisons in the USA? Cheryl and Nikki are going to find out. Expect lots of Father, Son and House of Gucci, learn where Cheryl and Nikki will haunt as ghosts, and prepare yourself for spooky scary skeletons. This episode contains graphic details of violence, torture, and murder, including mentions of suicide, and is not intended for all audiences. Listener discretion is strongly advised. For all things Killers, Cults and Queens, head over to @killerscultsqueens on Instagram. And follow Cheryl Hole @cherylholequeen and Nikki Druce @nikkimacabrelondon. Produced by Alexandra Jueno at Audioboom Studios. If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, please consider contacting the following resources: The Samaritans helpline: 116 123 Confidential Emotional Support Line: 01708 765200 Sane mental health line: 0300 304 7000 The knowledge out there on this topic is vast, so if your interest is peaked by this episode please take a look at our sources: https://www.easternstate.org/notable-inmates (Notable Inmates | Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_State_Penitentiary (Eastern State Penitentiary - Wikipedia) https://www.easternstate.org/ (Eastern State Penitentiary) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/eastern-state-penitentiary-a-prison-with-a-past-14274660/ (Eastern State Penitentiary: A Prison With a Past | History| Smithsonian Magazine) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHXLbp7x3MMandt=2s (The Captive Spirits Of Eastern State Penitentiary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUlxzkd2QSg (Exploring Eastern State: The world's first true penitentiary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttKsFJJq1cc (The Silent Hell of Eastern State Penitentiary) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcN0lhDiw-U (Eastern State Penitentiary in 1929) https://www.easternstate.org/about-eastern-state/blog/orange-new-black-prequel#:~:text=Eastern%20State%20received%20its%20first,State%20on%20April%2030%2C%201831 (Orange is the New Black: The Prequel | Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site). https://solitarywatch.org/2010/02/27/charles-dickens-on-solitary-confinement-immense-torture-and-agony/ (Charles Dickens on Solitary Confinement: "Immense Torture and Agony") https://www.easternstate.org/research/history-eastern-state/timeline (Timeline | Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Sutton (Willie Sutton - Wikipedia) https://www.legendsofamerica.com/eastern-state-penitentiary-philadelphia/#:~:text=One%20of%20these%2C%20called%20the,their%20circulation%20was%20cut%20off (Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia – Legends of America). https://scalar.usc.edu/works/pandemonium/media/riot-at-eastern-state-penitentiary (Riot at Eastern State Penitentiary, September 1933. Courtesy of Temple University Libraries.) https://www.npr.org/2013/10/24/232234570/is-eastern-state-penitentiary-really-haunted?t=1658831701476 (Is Eastern State Penitentiary really haunted?) https://theweeklyrambler.com/the-haunted-files-case-1-the-eastern-state-penitentiary/ (The Haunted Files – Case #1 – The Eastern State Penitentiary – The Weekly Rambler) https://kentondejong.com/blog/inside-eastern-state-penitentiary (Inside Eastern State Penitentiary)