INVESTIGATION #001

West Virginia Penitentiary

Moundsville, Wv.


Photograph taken by Marty Seibel.

Date Of Investigation: April 22, 2006

Time: 8:00pm - 6:00am

Investigators on Scene: Marty Seibel, Lisa Rose, Martha Fox and Richard Bond.

Weather: Overcast, 63 degrees, 83% humidity, Wind: 7 mph Solar Activity: Active, Geomagnetic
Activity: Quiet, Moon Phase: Waning Crescent; 8% visible

Featured on MTVs FEAR, the West Virginia State Penitentiary is known as one of the most haunted locations in
West Virginia.    The opportunity to investigate and explore this building with all of the history that goes
with it was an incredible experience for our group.

Background History

Construction on the penitentiary began in 1866 and it was opened for full operation in 1876.   A total of 94
men have been executed in the prison since it opened.   From 1899-1949, eighty-five men were hung.    In 1951 the
State began using an electric chair.   The state abolished the death penalty in 1959.   Prisoners were kept in 5' x 7'
cells and when over-crowding became a concern, three prisoners were kept in a cell.   A interesting side-note, in
1983 Charles Manson wrote to the warden requesting a transfer to the West Virginia Penitentiary.   Claiming he
had family in the area and also this was the only place that the guards had treated him well were his reasons.

Conditions here were poor and with the over-crowding they became worse.   Violence certainly increased in the
latter years of operation.   Many, many brutal killings and beatings took place here.   That combined with the
number of horrible executions, it leaves a lasting impression of pain and suffering.   It is impossible to imagine
what everyday life was like for these inmates.   The doors on the penitentiary were finally closed in 1995.

Investigation Data

The investigation was set up where there were a number of other people and groups investigating as well as
us.   This made many procedures very difficult to do if not completely immpossible.   Close to 70 people present
through out the building through the course of the night.   Evps were impossible to record so that hindered us
greatly.   We were able to try and do some in the Sugar Shack area but only for 20 minutes.   The cafeteria was
another area where we were able to try and record.   However both of these areas produced no results.

We did record moderate emf spikes in the 2.5 (mG) range in the Sugar Shack area.   This was about the only
area where we did record emf spikes.   The area known as the hole, which is where we were told was extremely
active, we captured nothing unusual.   One last area where we recorded low emf spikes was the hallway where
a shadow man has been spotted from time to time.

We were able to capture numerous orb photographs with both the hp digital camera and the cannon 35 mm.
None of these though were of the type where the orb is bright, seems to generate its own light.   So the
speculation is, could they be dust particles?   As everyone knows, there is great debate about orbs, even
within our group from time to time.   However, some, not all, but some of these orbs photographed
in the prison, did show some type of intelligence and responsed with questions through the emf meter,
particularly in the Sugar Shack area.   Again, this all speculation when it comes to orbs.   Everyone
has an opinion or theory.

Photographs from the Sugar Shack area.


Personal Experiences

Lisa felt as though someone brushed up against her in the Sugar Shack area.   We had fully charged batteries
drain in a number of areas, especially the Sugar Shack.   Lisa also did experience some minor feelings of sadness
as well as experiencing some cold spots in the hole area.   The hole was known as a area used for solitary
confinement and extreme punishment for inmates that continually caused problems for other inmates or guards

For complete photographs, history and information of the West Virginia State Penitentiary, please click on the link below.

   West Virginia State Penitentiary Travel Guide   

Final Conclusion: Inconclusive

With the amount of people present for the night in the penitentiary, it was in no way possbile to conduct
an extensive and proper investigation.   Under these circumstances, a real risk is run in contaminating the
data.   For what few things we were able to record and capture, we found absolutely nothing to say this
place is haunted or not.   With its history and violent past, it certainly could be.   But we found no actual
solid proof at this time.   Definitely a great place to see and explore.   We would love to come back, perhaps
when only our group could have access to the entire building.

Photographs submitted by Marty Seibel.

Copyright © Marty Seibel & SVPS