The Clerkenwell House of Detention, located in London, has a dark and haunting history dating back to 1617. Originally established as a prison, it was rebuilt in 1818 and expanded in 1847. The facility housed both men and women, including children as young as eight years old, in harsh conditions. During its operation, the prison witnessed numerous executions and instances of severe punishment.

The prison’s underground vaults, which still exist today, were notorious for their cramped and unsanitary conditions. Prisoners were subjected to overcrowding, disease, and brutal treatment. The facility closed in 1877 and was partially demolished in 1893, leaving behind a network of underground chambers and corridors.

Ghost stories associated with the Clerkenwell House of Detention are numerous and chilling. Visitors and investigators have reported hearing inexplicable footsteps echoing through the empty corridors, as well as the sound of cell doors slamming shut on their own. Some have claimed to see shadow figures moving in the darkness, believed to be the spirits of former inmates.

One of the most frequently reported apparitions is that of a woman in Victorian-era clothing, often seen wandering the underground vaults. Others have described feeling an overwhelming sense of despair and oppression upon entering certain areas of the former prison.

Paranormal encounters have included sudden temperature drops, unexplained mists, and the sensation of being touched or pushed by unseen forces. Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) recordings have reportedly captured disembodied voices and whispers, some of which seem to be pleading for help or expressing anguish.