History of Jail: See previous jail investigation page here.

Paranormal Investigation

Date: 7/1/05
Time: 7:00 pm to 2:00 am
Weather Outside: Clear
Outside Temperature: 69°F to 76°F
Inside Temperature: 70°F to 74°F
Humidity Outside: 65%
Barometric Pressure: 29.90 in / 1012 hPa
Sunrise & Sunset: 5:54am & 9:00pm
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (16% Full)
Solar Activity: Active
Geomagnetic Activity: Unsettled


The investigation began with a tour of the jail from 9:00-9:30 PM.
Once the tour was finished, the investigators broke up into two teams and began rotating throughout the jail in order to conduct the
investigation. The investigation lasted until 2:00 AM with the two teams rotating every 30 minutes covering all four floors of the jail.


1) There were approximately 25-30 orbs captured on both infrared video surveillance and digital cameras throughout the night (orbs are balls of light that show up on film and video and are commonly associated with paranormal activity.) The majority of the orbs that PRISM captured were concentrated on the third and fourth floors of the jail.

2) Several electro-magnetic field (EMF) spikes and temperature
fluctuations were recorded on our EMF meters and infrared non-contact thermometers throughout the investigation. These fluctuations are also typically associated with paranormal events. PRISM was able to correlate the EMF fluctuations with the orbs captured on film on several occasions.

3) PRISM's "sensitives" felt a presence of some sort in the jail. The
feeling described was of a great sadness in the some of the cells. Two of the investigators actually felt their clothes being tugged on by an unseen force during the investigation, while inside the cells.

4) One significant event caught on infrared surveillance video
involved the door of a large armoire opening on its own. The door opened on three separate occasions. Afterwards, PRISM investigators searched for an explanation such as a draft or a floorboard that could have triggered the door, but the investigators came up with no explanations as to how the door swung open on its own. On the third time, the door actually swung open and hit one of the PRISM investigators on the arm.

5) Several EVP were recorded in the jail. Most of the EVP were recorded on the fourth floor jailer's apartment.


The initial findings of the PRISM team indicate there is a good possibility that the Squirrel Cage Jail is haunted. Future follow-up
investigations would be needed to see if any of the activity noted on the July 1 investigation repeats itself or can be duplicated.

PRISM would like to thank everyone at the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County and for allowing us, and the rest of the public, to enjoy this amazing and historic jail.



PRISM would like to thank The Daily Nonpareil staff writer Tom McMahon and photographer Ben DeVries for joining us on this investigation.



PRISM would like to thank KPTM reporter Dave DeJohn, photographer Jason Pressler, news anchors Taylor Wilson and Tracy Jacim, and the rest of the Fox News crew at KPTM in Omaha, Nebraska for joining us on this investigation.

* Watch the news story here (Windows Media, 32MB)
* Watch the news story here (RealPlayer, 9MB)

* The video may take a few minutes to download.
** To download, right-click and select 'Save Link As...'

Video Evidence:

VIDEO: Squirrel Cage Jail - Armoire Door

This is a short clip of the armoire door in the 4th floor apartment opening on its own for the third time during the night. At 12:38am while Team A was conducting a vigil in the main entrance to the 4th floor apartment, the armoire door opened up on its own and hit PRISM's lead investigator David Rodriguez on the arm. This event was captured on two separate video cameras. One camera was an infrared video surveillance camera and the other was Dan's Sony Handycam video camera using NightShot.

* This video contains an EVP which is explained in the 'Audio Evidence' section on this web page.


* Watch the video clip here (Windows Media, 38MB)
* Watch the video clip here (RealPlayer, 1MB)


* The video may take a few minutes to download.
** To download, right-click and select 'Save Link As...'
*** If you don't have RealPlayer, you can download it here for free.

VIDEO: Squirrel Cage Jail - Full Investigation Video

This is the full video of the paranormal investigation of the jail. The video is mainly comprised of the infrared video surveillance footage that we collected, and it contains all three instances of the armoire door opening up, on its own, in the 4th floor jailer's apartment. (Video length = approx. 10 minutes)

* This video contains an EVP which is explained in the 'Audio Evidence' section on this web page.


* Watch the video clip here (Windows Media, 43MB)
* Watch the video clip here (RealPlayer, 12MB)


* The video may take a few minutes to download.
** To download, right-click and select 'Save Link As...'
*** If you don't have RealPlayer, you can download it here for free.

VIDEO: Audio Evidence

This is a short video explaining some of the audio evidence (EVP) that was recorded at the jail during the overnight investigation. (Video length = approx. 3 minutes)

* This video contains EVP which are also explained in the 'Audio Evidence' section on this web page.


* Watch the video clip here (Windows Media, 12MB)
* Watch the video clip here (RealPlayer, 3MB)


* The video may take a few minutes to download.
** To download, right-click and select 'Save Link As...'
*** If you don't have RealPlayer, you can download it here for free.

VIDEO: Squirrel Cage Jail - Tests

This is a video of a series of tests that were conducted at the Squirrel Cage Jail on the afternoon of July 13, 2005 by PRISM's lead investigator David Rodriguez. The testing included further inspection of the armoire door and the mirror, located on the fourth floor jailer's apartment. (Video length = 1:09 minutes)

Updated July 20, 2005: Note from David R. - I realize that I look a little silly (and trust me, I wish I didn't) in this video clip, but I just wanted to show on video that I did go back to the jail to test out whether or not the armoire door would, or would not, open by rocking the chair, etc.


* Watch the video clip here (Windows Media, 4MB)


* The video may take a few minutes to download.
** To download, right-click and select 'Save Link As...'

Photographic Evidence:

(Click on images to enlarge)

Squirrel Cage Jail - Outside

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 1 - Kitchen

The PRISM headquarters for the night.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 1 - Main Cell Block

A few orbs appear around the PRISM team and the Fox News crew as they tour the jail. There is a very bright orb on Carl's shirt and a more faint one on Amber's shirt to the left of him. Another orb appears over Kevin's head.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 1 - Main Cell Block

A couple of faint orbs appears in the background as PRISM investigator Kevin L. is being interviewed by a KPTM reporter.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 1 - Main Cell Block

Charles and David go over investigation notes.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 1 - Main Cell Block

A couple of orbs show up on this photo taken while Team A conducts an EVP session. One is on David's shirt and a smaller one can be seen on Kevin's.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 1 & 2 - Main Cell Block

Some orbs appear on the second level of the cell block. The picture is being taken from the lower level and the stairs on the right are a fairly new addition to the jail. They were added as a fire escape.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 1 - Solitary Confinement

PRISM investigator Dan C. spends some time alone in solitary confinement. This shot was taken from a Sony video camera (using NightShot) that was placed on a tripod in front of the cell.
Dan also recorded several EVP while spending time in solitary.

Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 2 - Juvenile Cell Block

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 4 - Jailer's Apartment

Jason Pressler (photographer) and Dave DeJohn (reporter) from the KPTM Fox News crew filming an old Victrola phonograph in a room on the fourth floor.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 4 - Jailer's Apartment

A very bright moving orb caught on film in front of the armoire. This was the same armoire that opened on its own twice during the investigation.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Level 4 - Jailer's Apartment

The image of a heart shows up next to the reflection of PRISM's lead investigator David R. A return trip to the jail will be the only way to find out if this heart is actually etched or has been drawn on the mirror in some way.

Update 7-13-05: Upon re-examining the mirror, we noticed that a large scratch, which makes up of the lines on the right side of the heart, was etched into the mirror. The full heart shape was not visible during the re-examination. To see this for yourself, please view the series of tests that we conducted on our video section above, or simply click here to watch the video.

Note: The photo on the right is a close-up of the mirror on the original photo on the left.

* Photo: Renee C. (Olympus Camedia C-4000 Digital Camera)

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Outside

A very bright orb shows up in this photo taken at the front entrance to the jail.

Note: The photo on the right is a close-up of the orb in the original photo on the left.

Squirrel Cage Jail - Outside

While PRISM investigator Renee C. was sitting on the bench outside of the jail, she physically saw a ball of light floating in front of the jail door. She snapped four photographs of what she saw. The orb disappeared by the time the fourth photo was taken. The man in the doorway is her husband Charles. It is very rare to see an orb with the naked eye.

Note: The photo on the top left is the first photo taken in the series. The photo on the top right is the second photo in the series. The photo on the bottom is the last photo in the series.

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Squirrel Cage Jail - Outside

A light anomaly photographed outside of the jail on the north side of the building. In this grainy photograph, the light anomaly appears over the window were the male apparition was photographed on 3/19/05.

Note: The photo on the right is a close-up of the light anomaly in the original photo on the left.

Audio Evidence:

(Best listened to through headphones)

Note: Not everyone hears the same things being said while listening to an EVP. Let your own ears be the judge!

EVP: CLASS B

This EVP was captured on four different sources. It occurred at right after the armoire door swung open for the third time and hit PRISM investigator David R. on the arm. Two of the recorders used were different model Olympus digital audio recorders and the other two were video recorders.

The voice heard is a snaky sounding male voice. What is being said is unknown, though it does sound a bit like "F*ck ...to the backside of the church." Be advised that the voice of PRISM investigator Renee C. can be heard speaking over the EVP saying, "I saw it open."

Updated July 20, 2005: One interesting fact that we recently found out, is that the building directly behind the jail, what is now the Pottawattamie County Annex, used to be an Episcopal Church until the 1970's ...that would make the jail, the "backside of the church."

* The video of this event is located in the 'Video Evidence' section on this web page.


1) Olympus W-10 Digital Audio Recorder
* Located on investigator David R.'s lap, right next to the armoire

- Audio Clip #1 (Original audio clip)
- Audio Clip #1 (EVP portion)
- Audio Clip #1 (EVP portion - Looped 5 times)


2) Sony Handycam Video Recorder
* Located across the room from the armoire

- Audio Clip #2 (Original audio clip)
- Audio Clip #2 (EVP portion)
- Audio Clip #2 (EVP portion - Looped 5 times)


3) Olympus Digital Audio Recorder #2
* Located on the floor, approx. 15 feet from the armoire

- Audio Clip #3 (Original audio clip)
- Audio Clip #3 (EVP portion)
- Audio Clip #3 (EVP portion - Looped 5 times)


This EVP was recorded on two separate Olympus digital audio recorders by PRISM investigators Charles C. and David R. and a Sony Handycam video recorder by PRISM investigator Dan C. on 7/2/05. In three of the audio clips the EVP portion was looped 5 times.

EVP: CLASS B

This EVP was captured by PRISM's founder and lead investigator David Rodriguez on June 8, 2005, while taping a short interview with jail manager Ryan Roenfeld regarding the four known deaths that have occurred in the jail over the years.

In the audio clip, jail manager Ryan Roenfeld says, "That's really about all the prisoner deaths we know about ...not very many of them." That is followed by a click and then a male spirit voice saying something unknown. There was only a couple seconds of silence in the room during this time ...no sounds were heard. After that, David laughs (because he knew that Ryan didn't want to be interviewed on tape) and then Ryan starts talking. That is the moment that the recording was stopped.

The EVP is very clear, but since what is being said is unintelligible (perhaps maybe even in a different language ...it sounds Slavic to us), we have rated this EVP a 'Class B' instead of a 'Class A' EVP.


- EVP (Original audio clip)
- EVP (Looped 5 times & normalized)
- EVP (Looped 5 times, normalized & slowed down 25%)


This EVP was recorded on an Olympus W-10 digital audio recorder by PRISM lead investigator David Rodriguez on 6/8/05. In two of the audio clips the EVP was looped 5 times and the volume was normalized (raised) ,and in one of the clips the audio was slowed down using Adobe Audition.

EVP: CLASS B

This EVP was recorded during the July 1, 2005, paranormal investigation of the jail. It was recorded at approximately 10:00 PM, in the fourth floor jailer's apartment.

During an EVP session, PRISM investigator Charles C. asks, "Is there anything we can help you with?" The response sounds like a male voice saying, "Nothing can be done."


- EVP (Original audio clip)
- EVP (The EVP portion of the audio clip)
- EVP (Looped 5 times, n.r. added & slowed down 15%)


This EVP was recorded on an Olympus W-10 digital audio recorder by PRISM lead investigator David Rodriguez on 7/1/05. In the last audio clip the EVP was looped 5 times and noise reduction was added to reduce some of the background hiss, plus the the audio was slowed down by 15% using Adobe Audition.

EVP: CLASS C

This EVP was recorded during the July 1, 2005, paranormal investigation of the jail. It was recorded while PRISM investigator Dan C. spent some time alone in the solitary confinement cell.

The EVP is heard, then Dan says, "What were you in here for?" The beeps heard are coming from the Gauss Master EMF meter being reset. The scratchy male voice heard in the EVP is sounds as if it is saying, "Help me get out!"


- EVP (Original audio clip)
- EVP (The EVP portion of the audio clip)
- EVP (Looped 5 times with noise reduction added)


This EVP was recorded on an Olympus digital audio recorder by PRISM investigator Dan Christianson on 7/1/05. In the last audio clip the EVP was looped 5 times and noise reduction was added to reduce some of the background hiss using Adobe Audition.

EVP: CLASS C

This EVP was recorded during the July 1, 2005, paranormal investigation of the jail. It was recorded at approximately 10:15 PM, in the fourth floor jailer's apartment.

Right before KPTM reporter, Dave DeJohn, was about to leave the PRISM team to head downstairs, an EVP was recorded. The EVP (and a click) are heard, then Dave says, "OK ...now you guys are on your own." We are unsure as to what the male voice heard in the EVP is saying.


- EVP (Original audio clip)
- EVP (The EVP portion of the audio clip)
- EVP (Looped 5 times, n.r. added & slowed down 25%)


This EVP was recorded on an Olympus W-10 digital audio recorder by PRISM lead investigator David Rodriguez on 7/1/05. In the last audio clip the EVP was looped 5 times, noise reduction was added to reduce some of the background hiss, and a noise gate/compressor was used to reduce the clicking sound, plus the the audio was slowed down by 15% using Adobe Audition.

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