History
An ominous and foreboding stone prison which was the first to hold prisoners in individual cells. It has a grandiose front that makes the building looks like a great French Chateau. The first jail was built in 1779 but the present jail was completed in 1860. Little, if any, of the original jail remains today but it's highly likely that they incorporated some of the original building materials in the new prison.
The jail was built by Napoleonic prisoners and during its 150 year period as a grim and dark place of punishment, a total of 55 prisoners were executed, all by hanging. The prison was built to hold 100 prisoners, in 1779 it housed just 13 but by 1840 that had swelled to 155, including 38 women. In 1844 a crowd of 20,000 gathered to witness the hanging of Matthew Weeks, executed for supposedly murdering his girlfriend Charlotte Dymond. From 1860 to1896 prisoners were expected to work in the jail with those serving the longest sentences doing the hardest work. The toughest was the treadmill, several of which were used in the jail during this period.
The last public hanging in Britain was here in 1909 when thousands turned up having hired special trains so as not to miss the event - In1911 the women's section of Bodmin Jail was shut. In 1916 The civil prison was closed. During the First World War the empty jail was entrusted with keeping some of the nation's treasures including the Domesday Book, State Papers, and some say the Crown Jewels. Bodmin Jail closed as a prison of any kind 1927.
Paranormal Activity
As the jail was a site of much premature death and intense suffering, there have been many supernatural incidences throughout the jail. Aside from the executions, many died here from the conditions or in failed efforts to escape. Matthew Weekes apparently haunts the jail because he was innocent. Selina Wadge, who was hanged the murder of her illegitimate son. It's often reported that someone, thought to be her, tries to grab young children and also puts her feelings of remorse on to pregnant women. William or James Lightfoot, who were hung for the murder of Nevell Norway. One of them is seen in the ground floor cells, but it is not clear which one. The ghost of Anne Jefferies is said to roam the jail. She was ordered to be starved until she admitted to being a witch. She survived for three months causing people to suggest she had supernatural powers. A figure, possibly a priest, has been seen in the chapel. Ghostly apparitions have been witnessed in the bar/restaurant area, and contact has been made by mediums with a ghost who claims to be a prostitute who was wrongfully executed. In the part of the building that was used as a naval prison, a thing, angry gaunt man has been seen in a particular cell.
People often feel as though they are being watched. Orbs are seen floating through the cavernous corridors and footsteps, rattling keys and voices are heard throughout. People have explained that they have felt a hand resting on their shoulders. An oppressive sensation is felt in the chapel. A lantern in the restaurant swings for no reason and with no apparent draught. At one particular stair on the stairwell down to the holding cells the temperature drops enormously. When entering the holding cells, many visitors describe an intense feeling of claustrophobia and unease, and often run out as quickly as possible. In the lower ground floor cells, children's screaming has been heard and people have explained how they felt the invisible hands of phantom children pulling at their clothes. In the naval prison, stones have been thrown at the owners of the prison. From the outside, loud bangs have been herd emanating from within the prison, even though the building is empty.
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