Researchers Present:

Chris DeVinney

Equipment: Olympus VN-3100PC Digital voice recorder, Fujifilm Finepix A500 digital camera

 

Karrie-Ann Versace

Equipment: Sony DCRDVD610 Hybrid DVD Camcorder DVD, DV - 40x Optical Zoom - 2,000x Digital Zoom - 2.7" LCD Panel - Memory Stick, Composite (Video), SONY HVL-IRM Infrared Video Light 100' Range with Controllable Light Volume Infrared Emission for Shooting in Total Darkness,  Sony Cybershot DSC-H10B, 8.1 Megapixel, 10x Optical/2x Digital Zoom, Digital Camera,  Olympus - OLVN4100, VN-4100 Digital Voice Recorder, Olympus - OLVN4100 VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder, K-2 EMF Meter,  P175-C EVP Listener. Mel Meter 8704

 

Jane Riley

Equipment: Canon Powershot SD1000, K-II EMF Meter, Nikon D70, Ghost Meter EMF Detector, Panasonic Mini DVR Video Camera, Sony ICD-B500 Digital Audio Recorder


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West Virginia State Penitentiary


Date:

4/04/09 Temperature: 54 Degrees

Time:

10:00 PM - 6:00 AM Humidity: 37%

Location:

Moundsville, WV Barometer: 29.85 and falling

Weather:

Clear

Photos Taken: 706

X-Ray:

Normal Positive Photos: 10

Geomagnetic Field:

Quiet EVP: 20

Moon Phase:

Waxing Gibbous - 85% visible Video: 2

History: The West Virginia State Penitentiary is a retired, Gothic style prison located in Moundsville, West Virginia. It operated from 1876 to 1995. Currently, the site is maintained as a tourist attraction and training facility.  There is a long history of reported paranormal activity at the prison, and the TAPS team filmed an episode of the popular television program "Ghost Hunters" there.

 

Investigation Summation: Members of the NJPR Team travelled to West Virginia to investigate this historic prison.  During their investigation they had numerous experiences including hearing voices, the sounds of cell doors closing by themselves, and the feeling of being touched on several occasions.  One investigator experienced the feeling of someone trying to choke her whenever she went down to the "Sugar Shack".  At one point in the "gym" a small rubber ball appeared out of nowhere and rolled across the floor towards our investigators.


Investigation Photos
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos)

 

Karrie-Ann taking in the view of the West Virginia Penitentiary.

Friends enjoying a pint the night before the investigation.

 

 

 

 

Jane entering the prison.

Prisoners had to endure severely ramped quarters.

 

 

 

 

Death Row.

Chris attempting to record EVP's.  These orbs are most likely dust.

 

 

 

 

Excellent orb photo where the orb is behind a pole, which proves that it is not a piece of dust.

What appears to be the same orb a few seconds later.

 

 

 

 

Unusual light anomaly at the end of the rafters.

Same anomaly close-up.

 

 

 

 

Taken after the above photo, the anomaly is gone and is replaced by an orb that is clearly several feet away from the camera, ruling out dust.

Taken after the previous two photos which shows the area free of anomalies.

 

 

 

 

Extremely large orbs photographed in the infirmary.

One of the prison's famous former inmates leaves his mark on his cell wall.

 

 

 

 

Large orb.

Tired?  Have a seat.

 

 

 

 

Jane is beginning to think that maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Shot of the coffin chute.

       
What appears to be an orb and a possible red shadow in a famous window where a woman is reported to have killed herself. Large orb in doorway.

Note: Most researchers do not consider orb photos evidence of paranormal activity as airborne particles such as dust, pollen and moisture can cause "false positives".  While we agree that most "orbs" can be explained naturally, we have found in our research that a small percentage seem to correlate to paranormal activity.  Therefore, we will post orb photos that we feel may represent paranormal activity, although we can not prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is the case.


Audio Evidence
(Click underlined links to play audio clips)

 

"Sweet"

Growl

As Investigator Chris mentions taking a picture, a disembodied voice says "sweet".

As our Investigators whisper to each other a strange growl is heard in the background.

 

 

Ball Rolling "Leave!"

While down in the gym a ball rolls out of nowhere towards the investigators.  In this audio clip you can even hear the ball in motion.

A man's voice tells our Investigators to "leave"

 

 

Groaning Exhale

A male voice can be heard groaning in the background.

A strong exhale is captured.  This was not done by anyone in the room.

 

 

"Do you hear me?" "Dude"

A whispered voice seems to say "Do you hear me?"

Another voice whispers "Dude".

 

 

Strong Exhale Another Exhale

Another strong exhale is heard that was not caused by anyone present.

Yet another loud exhale that could not be explained.

 

 

"Who you calling stupid?" "Help Me"

Investigator Chris says "Stupid".  This is immediately followed by a voice saying, "Who you calling stupid?"

As Investigator Karrie comments that the spirits don't seem to want to talk to them, a voice can be heard in the background saying "help me".

 

 

"Spank me" "Hi"

A male voice seems to say "spank me".

Another voice says "hi".


   

Video Evidence

(Click thumbnails to play video clips)

   

A cell door can be heard closing by itself not far from where the team was standing.

While down in the Sugar Shack several strange pulses of light can be seen to the left, followed by what appears to be a vaporous anomaly


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