Photographs from our ghost hunts and investigations at Old Main can be found at the link below;
Photographs of the New Mexico Penitentiary by SGHA
We were not able to identify any alternative explanations for the phenomena that were reported by the witnesses.
The most notable of the reported phenomena is the observation of a human-shaped shadow. The accounts start in 1981 and have continued into the present day. They have been seen by corrections officers as well as members of the New Mexico National Guard.
The phenomenon can be attributed to a mix of pareidolia (the tendency to see patterns everywhere) and the low-resolution nature of peripheral vision. Several physiological and psychological conditions can account for reported experiences of shadow people. These include sleep paralysis, illusions, or hallucinations brought on by physiological or psychological circumstances, drug use or side effects of medication, and the interaction of external agents on the human body. Another reason that could be behind the illusion is sleep deprivation, which may lead to hallucinations
This might seem to be a logical explanation if there were only a few accounts. There are just too many accounts occurring to multiple witnesses. In one report from two corrections officers working in Old Main in 1984, they both saw the "human-shaped figure" simultaneously.
The noises, especially those that are loud and sound like cell doors slamming shut are elusive, but we were able to identify the origins of these noises. They rarely occur (we heard them only twice out of nine visits).
The final results and details of our ghost hunts and investigations at the NM State Pen have been copyrighted by Cody Polston and placed in his book "New Mexico's Most Haunted: EXPOSED. We would also like to express that Cody has a different opinion on the location concerning its paranormal activity. The book may be purchased at the link below.
New Mexico's Most Haunted: Exposed
