This Halloween season, brave souls will get the chance to tour an abandoned prison and discover the horror lurking within.

The long-awaited Old Joliet Haunted Prison haunted house opens for business Sept. 25 and will be scaring visitors on select dates through Nov. 6. It is owned and operated by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, which produces haunted houses and escape rooms around the country, including 13th Floor Haunted House in Schiller Park.

Visitors will drive to the back of the site where there will be plenty of parking available, said Bryan Kopp, general manager of the Old Joliet Haunted Prison. There will be a midway with photo ops plus food and merch for sale.

“We have two attractions and your ticket gets you into both,” he said. “There’s an attraction outside in the prison yard, and that one we’re still keeping a surprise. That one is all open-air and is inside the actual prison yard where the prisoners would still exercise. The old weights are still there and they’re in the attraction — the basketball hoop and everything.

“The second attraction, the inside attraction, they’ll get in line out here and start their journey outside. And of course, there’s a good theatrical story to it because what good house doesn’t have something like that.”

Visitors will enter the Ghost Chamber inside.

“The idea is, there was this eccentric billionaire named Dr. Ryker who was obsessed with the afterlife, the spirit world, the veil between this world and the next,” he said. “He was able to calculate where that veil is the thinnest. He did research all across the country to see where that veil is thin and he finds out that the Old Joliet Prison is one of those spots where the veil in very thin. So he purchases the prison to create his paranormal research facility. You, as the guest, are trying to sneak into the research facility.”

Guests make their way inside into the haunted house which is an actual abandoned prison. Even on its own, without actors, props and special effects, it’s really creepy.

“We have haunted houses all across the country. We specialize in making high-production value, big-budget, incredibly theatric haunted houses,” Kopp said. “And this place does our job for us. It’s such a cool, amazing old space.”

It will employ actors, makeup and special effects artists, cashiers and other event staff.

The women’s prison building was built in 1896 and ultimately closed in 2002. The Old Joliet Haunted Prison is

located in the annex building, which was built in the 1980s. Thirteenth Floor Entertainment took over the property in early 2020 with plans to open last year, but those plans were tabled thanks to COVID-19.

“It was definitely a journey to get to this point,” Kopp said. “As you can imagine, an old abandoned prison is not the easiest thing to get safe for people to visit. It was sitting empty for so long. This will be the culmination of about two years’ worth of work.”

They had to overhaul all the infrastructure; including electrical and plumbing, and bring the building up to fire code and in line with today’s safety standards, he said.

“The place was scoured and cleaned from top to bottom and this is all scenic design to make it look like this,” he said.

Not that you would know to look at the interior — it appears grimy and filthy with blood-smeared walls and blood and goo pooling in places on the ground. The interior is a mix of the original annex building and theatrical sets. There will be ghosts and monsters and all manner of special effects. The ghostly theme is carried throughout the house.

“We go out of our way to create these sets and environments that even right now, walking through with regular lights on, still looks cool and interesting. This is without all the spooky lights and sounds,” he said.

Prison showers and cells will be inhabited by ghostly spirits.

“The place is in utter disrepair, the ghosts are running amok and the few prisoners that are still alive are harrying everyone that walks through,” he said. “And there are projectors all over the place to project the spirits running amok everywhere.”

He’s excited to see the grand opening of the Old Joliet Haunted Prison.

“All of us at the end of the day are kids at heart. We’re in this industry putting in all of this effort because one of the greatest things in the world for me is when all of this is done and the doors are open and I watch people walk out of the haunted house screaming and laughing and smiling — that’s the point. We love Halloween. Let’s entertain people.”

The climax of the Ghost Chamber will be The Director on a platform in all his glory, in his spirit form, on his electric chair throne controlling his throng of spirits ready to wreak havoc on the world, Kopp said.

The tour ends in a padded cell with strobe lights and fog. The whole experience will last about half an hour.

“We’ve been working very hard for a long time to make this happen,” he said. “We’re so excited to be in Joliet at this incredible piece of history and we can’t wait to show people what we’ve been working on. Happy Halloween.”

Here are some other area haunted houses that had their information available on their website or Facebook page. Before you go, check websites or social media for rules and regulations as well as COVID protocols. Several haunts offer group rates.

Haunted houses are listed in alphabetical order by name of the place for the Chicago suburbs and northwest Indiana.

13th Floor Haunted House: Hours, days vary from Sept. 17 to Nov. 13. 5050 River Road, Schiller Park. Admission: $19.99-$32.99; fast pass and immediate access tickets are also available for an extra $10-$25. 708-571-3326; 13thfloorchicago.com.

Two all-new attractions are waiting to scare visitors in 2021. Bad Blood and Spirit of Halloween debut at the haunt and are both included with admission. Bad Blood explores the feud between vampires and werewolves. The Spirit of Halloween finds the Witch of the Woods imbibing ordinary Halloween decorations with evil spirits.

Basement of the Dead: Hours vary Sept. 24-Oct. 31 and Nov. 6. Night of Isolation is from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20. 42 W. New York St., Aurora. Admission: $30-$45. 630-896-2466; basementofthedead.com.

This top-rated haunt returns to scare the pants off unsuspecting souls with its trained actors and gruesome props. This season, tour the house on a Night of Isolation — three Wednesdays where there will be no actors and no lights. Just your party and one glowstick.

Disturbia Haunted Attraction: Hours vary Sept. 24-Oct. 31 and Nov. 6. 1213 Butterfield Road Suite D, Downers Grove. Admission: $30-$45. 630-896-2466; disturbiachicago.com.

Nights of Isolation (no actors) are Oct. 6, 13 and 20. Blackout Night (no lights) is Nov. 6.

Dungeon of Doom: Hours vary Sept. 25 to Nov. 6. 600 29th St., Zion. Admission: $30-$55. 847-262-3666; Dungeonofdoom.com.

This haunt celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The popular Buried Alive attraction is back, free with VIP tickets and $5 additional charge with general admission. Blackout Nights are Nov. 6-7.

Evil Intentions: Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight Sept. 24-25 and Fridays and Saturdays in October and 7-10 p.m. Sept. 26 and Sundays in October plus Oct. 21 and 28. 900 Grace St., Elgin. Admission: $35-$50. 630-634-2858; Eihaunt.com.

The abandoned Elgin Casket Company has seen murder, occult activity and unexplained occurrences. Now the Elgin Ghost Society is trying to make contact.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: Hours vary Sept. 18-Oct. 31. 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. Admission: $39.99-64.99; Fright Pass to haunted houses begins at $29.99. Parking $25-$40. 847-249-4636; sixflags.com/greatamerica/events/fright-fest.

Fright Fest is back for a 30th season. This year’s event boasts two new haunted houses and 10 scare zones for guests.

Hayride of Horror and Curse of the Bayou: 7-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October. Dellwood Park, 199 E. Woods Drive, Lockport. Admission: $15 for one attraction, $25 for both, $35 for speed pass to both. 815-838-1183; lockportpark.org.

The Hayride of Horror returns, along with the more sinister Curse of the Bayou walking attraction.

Hell’s Gate: Open 7-10 p.m. Thursdays, Sundays and Oct. 27; 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 30-Oct. 31. 3101 S. Canal St., Lockport; park at 301 W. 2nd St., Lockport. Admission: $35 GA; $50 VIP; $65 instant entry. For $125, you can mark a friend as a personal target for the entire tour, which includes a VIP ticket, T-shirt and photo op inside the house. $150 all-access pass includes VIP ticket, backstage tour, T-shirt and photo op. 605-301-4283; Hellsgate.com.

Guests must park at 301 W. 2nd St. and take a shuttle bus to the house — which is a multilevel mansion filled with secret passages and giant slides. Find the key hidden inside and get your money back.

Midnight Terror Haunted House: Hours vary Sept. 24-Nov. 6. 5520 W. 111th St., Oak Lawn. Admission: $28-$60. 708-571-0266; midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com.

The theme this year is Willow’s Nightmare. Visitors will be welcomed into the nightmarish hellscape that torments this young woman.

Old Joliet Haunted Prison: Hours vary Sept. 25-Nov. 6. 401 Woodruff Road, Joliet. Admission: $19.99-$29.99; fast passes and skip the line rates are extra. Hauntedprison.com.

This new haunt by 13th Floor Entertainment is set in an actual abandoned prison.

Realm of Terror Haunted House: Hours are 7-12 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7-10 p.m. Sundays and Sept. 28-29. Closed Oct. 14 and Nov. 2. 421 W. Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach. Admission: $25-$45. 847-973-6053; Realmofterror.com.

This highly rated attraction returns in 2021.

Statesville Haunted Prison: Hours are 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays and 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October. 17250 S. Weber Road, Crest Hill. Admission: $30; $45 VIP. 877-722-7332; Statesvillehauntedprison.com.

This is the final year Statesville Haunted Prison will be at Siegel’s Pumpkin Farm in Crest Hill, where it’s been since 1998. There is a promotion this year called Twice the Terror. People can buy a VIP combo ticket to Statesville and Hell’s Gate haunted house for $45 for opening weekend and $65 for dates in October. You don’t have to visit both in the same night.

Terror in the Timbers: Hours are 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays in October plus 6:30-11 p.m. Oct. 10, 21 and 28. Camp Big Timber, 37W955 Big Timber Road, Elgin. Admission: $65 per car. 847-235-6600; terrorinthetimbers.com.

This is a drive-thru haunted attraction based on the legend of Chicago serial killer H.H. Holmes. New this year is a walking experience called Trail of Terror that can be purchased as an add-on for $25 per car. There will be concessions and games at the Trail of Terror.

Northwest Indiana haunts

Criminally Insane Haunted House: Hours are 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays the last three weekends of October. 226 S. Main St., Crown Point. Admission: $10. 219-281-2213; thecriminallyinsane.com.

A benefit for the Old Sheriff’s House and Jail, only 500 tickets are sold each night.

Haunted Hills Hospital: Hours are 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays in October; 6-10 p.m. Sundays in October. Kid’s Day matinees from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 23 and 30. Blackout dates 6 p.m.-midnight Nov. 5-6. 7611 E. Lincoln Highway, Crown Point. Admission: $25-$45. 219-241-9498; hauntedhillshospital.com.

A virtual queue line returns to help with social distancing. Midway attractions include axe throwing, an escape room, food and photo ops. Blackout shows are for people 16 and over, and guests must sign a waiver before attending.

Knights of Columbus haunted walk: Hours are 7-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 15-30. 13039 Wicker Ave., Cedar Lake. Admission: $10. 219-232-6091; hauntedforestnwi.com.

Escape Jason at this outdoor haunted attraction.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.