There was a gaol on the site as early as 1654. Architect Joseph Turner submitted plans to include more cells and a chapel in January 1775. The erection of the new building is now the oldest surviving on the site.
There have been many additions to the gaol, between the years 1803 to 1866. The building served as the county gaol until 1866 when the new four storey Pentonville style wing was added. In 1916 HM Prison, Ruthin was closed. It was bought by Denbighshire County Council in 1926, who still own it today. The gaol is open to the public all year round, as part of Denbighshire's heritage tour.
Haunted Expeditions Wales had their first overnight paranormal investigation at Ruthin Gaol on 4 Feb 06. It has never been investigated overnight before and we didn't know what to expect.
Paranormal activity had been reported there during daylight hours, so our expectation was quite high, and to our sheer delight we were not disappointed.
There was a lot of audible and visual phenomenon, some of which was caught on camcorder and digital camera, with many in the group seeing shadows moving around the cells and shop areas. On investigation there was nothing to be found that could have caused this phenomenon.
One group that investigated the condemned man's cell and the surrounding area, heard a cell door slam shut on three occasions, when the team radioed to see if the archivist was in that area, they were told she was in the shop which was on the floor below...only she had access to this section of the gaol, and all the doors in the archive are kept locked.
This group when in the condemned man's cell found that when they called out in Welsh, they had a better response, with knocks, clicks and also the EMF metre having high readings (base line tests had been conducted in this area, with one reading recorded previously).
A little girl was 'picked up' by Michelle, she was able to give a good description of the child, as follows: Her name is Josie, she has long brown hair which is in ringlets, tied back at the top by a ribbon. Josie is dressed in Victorian style and wears a pale blue dress with long white socks or tights, and black shoes. She is a happy child, who skips among the cells, and carries a wooden hoop in her hand (like a hula-hoop that children play with today).
This information was given to the gaol staff, as Michelle explained, 'This does not seem logical, as the child was not a pauper, but well dressed and happy', this spurred the gaol staff on to check their archives records and they found in the 1871 census, Josephine aged 9 years, the daughter of the governor, who resided at the gaol with his family. A little girl is heard giggling on frequent occasions by a member of the gaol staff. Three others members of the group picked up a little girl on the night, all said she is a happy little soul, who likes to play hide & seek and recite nursery rhymes.
Roman soldiers were also picked up, with them a Lady Augustine, also soldiers marching through the outside area of the gaol, as if on their way to battle. While outside the feeling of a 'ducking Stool' being used at the river. Were there witches tried here?
In the basement area, some of the group picked up collectively on the feeling of their feet being wet and muddy. Also Badger felt as if cold water was up to his chest area and picked up on a sense of panic. Could this be a feeling of when the river had flooded in times gone by?
Voices were picked up on camcorder that hadn't been heard on the night. One whispering the name 'Jake' in the basement area. The other heard in the upper cells area saying 'It's Jake', when GL, one of the group asked out if there was any spirit energies present. To sum everything up, we had a fantastic night, with great company, from guest both local and as far afield as Surrey. You are welcome to visit our website www.haunted-wales.co.uk 
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Ghost on camera?
Lois Bracegirdle submits this photo showing mist in one of the former cells which was captured on camera when she took part in a vigil at the gaol.
