Nick Groff Investigates… Alcatraz!

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Nick Groff is one of the most respected names in television and beyond when it comes to the paranormal. He has had incredible experiences in some of the most haunted locations in the world. As a friend to Arrow in the Head, we’ve shared some very exciting experiences with Nick including a couple of wild and spooky moments that we’ve managed to capture on camera. Thus, we’ve decided to work with the television host and producer extraordinaire so he can share his knowledge and insight on all things that go bump in the night. With this bi-monthly column, we plan to delve into everything from urban legends to ghostly apparitions, to his take on some of the coolest genre flicks ever. This is Nick Groff Investigates…!

ALCATRAZ!

There are places in the world that seem to attract paranormal enthusiasts in droves. Sure, you have spooky houses and other creepy locations that cause a certain amount of heebie jeebies – and clearly some are far more frightening than just a heebie and a jeebie. And then there are the truly impressive destinations that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand straight up. I’m talking old abandoned asylums, churches, hospitals and of course, prisons. And then there is Alcatraz.

Not having had the opportunity to visit this infamous prison, my only real recollections were from movies based on it like ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, THE ROCK, SIX AGAINST THE ROCK and a number of others. Yet even I had heard about the tales of the paranormal that escaped from this famed location – unlike most of the prisoners who faced a number of detractors if they thought about trying to get the hell out. Even if you made it past the guards and the towering walls, you’d most likely end up as a sharks' supper had you made it off the island.

While discussing this weeks column, I mentioned Alcatraz to Nick. Considering the notoriety of it, we were both a bit surprised we hadn’t covered it here before. That led to my own curiosity about the history behind it, and what kind of secrets permeated deep inside the prison walls. What haunted goings on have occurred, how many lost souls still live in the long abandoned prison cells? 

From all the stories I've heard, this is an amazing location, one that I’ve wanted to visit nearly all my life. Here’s hoping that one day I’ll find myself exploring this historical place, and perhaps having an experience of my own. Now before Nick takes us on his own cool little journey back in time, do any of you have any Alcatraz stories? We’d love to hear them in the comments below. And now, without further ado, I give you Nick Groff’s Alcatraz adventures… (you can click on the picture below for more info on visiting Alcatraz)

“My first experience at Alcatraz was in 1992. I was 12 years old when I first stepped onto the rock. I was excited to explore the history of the building and learn more about the prisoners that stayed there. A former inmate was greeting people and talking about stories from what it was like when the prison was in operation. I went back later in my life when I was a little older and took the tour to other places I didn’t see when I was younger.

I had the opportunity to investigate and film at Alcatraz in 2013. This time I was allowed to enter areas off limits to explore. It was an incredible experience. I’ve been wanting to dive deeper into the unexplainable that has been talked about on the rock for as long as I can remember.

We also got to take a boat to the Golden Gate Bridge. So many people have lost their lives in and around the area of Alcatraz. There’s definitely a lot of stories and millions of people coming and going through this space with a lot of energy and emotions left behind. Alcatraz was extremely hyped as one of the most haunted locations in America. Sometimes I am wary of locations with too much hype and sometimes don't live up to their reputation in the paranormal. I do think that the reputation of being scary to be imprisoned on the rock lives up to that hype. It's cold at times, on a rock surrounded by water and nowhere to go. 

Some of the toughest criminals were brought to Alcatraz. There is definitely an energy about certain areas in the jails that you can feel when walking around. I wasn’t ever truly scared but more fascinated with the history and energy left behind from the people. I documented some cool evidence but I feel today I could discover something new with better technology and a better understanding of the paranormal.

 Alcatraz is an iconic location and unique to millions that seek out not only the history but the mystery that surrounds the location and all the deaths in the area. The stories continue to echo centuries later with the next generation of people exploring the rock to get a glimpse of the unknown. One day I will return to see if things have changed from my previous visit. We must keep searching to gather more knowledge in order to evolve as human beings.”