Ohio State Reformatory – Paranormal Encounters In A Historic Prison

Under darkened Ohio skies we press on. The torrential tapping against the hull of the van, the whirring of windscreen wipers and fogging windows set the tone. We wonder for a moment if we should be braving these elements, but then the site we’ve come so far to see looms in the distance. In awe, while driving up, we realise this is the perfect weather for exploring, The Ohio State Reformatory.

We pull to a stop in the almost empty parking lot and step out into the rain. The black clouds emit lightning flashes in the distance, and the low rumblings of thunder soon follow. That may have been an ominous sign of things to come. The dark history of this stunning building we are about to enter has a way of keeping forlorn souls trapped within its walls.

Ohio State Reformatory History

Known initially as Intermediate Penitentiary, the prison opened in 1886. Construction of the beautiful limestone building continued for ten years and along the way acquired another name, Mansfield Reformatory.

It was built on the site of the former training ground of Civil War soldiers, Camp Mordecai Bartley and designed by Levi Scofield in Victorian Gothic and Romanesque Revival architecture, for $1.3 million.

In the 1960s the Reformatory converted to a maximum-security prison. It stayed operational until inmates sued in the 1980s. Their case was solid, outlining the unbearable conditions, where disease and conflict were rife. So, The Ohio State Reformatory was eventually closed down in 1990.

When it finally closed its doors as a working prison, it had held a total of 154,000 inmates during its 104 year lifetime.

The Early Years

In the beginning, there were only 150 young men, between the ages of 16 and 30. The primary goal was to reform and rehabilitate 1st-time offenders who were too violent for industrial schools. Initially being incarcerated for 18 months, the inmates received religion, education and trade. If they showed progress, they would be released. 

That seemed to be highly successful. Some, however, did have their sentences extended for another 18 months.

The Layout

Our Paranormal Experience

The Wardens Quarters is where we began our tour.

Peeling paint, rustic wooden floorboards and a hair raising encounter awaited us. 

Before we got to the Wardens Chamber, which is still partially furnished, we left a room and walked across the hallway towards the next. That’s when Harvey and I both heard a child speak. Andrea, however, did not hear this. Looking all around, we realised we were the only ones on this floor.

All on alert now, Harvey’s ears perked, his tail stood up straight, and his fur began to rise. When we entered the next room, Harvey’s stance changed, and he almost became too much to handle as he ran to the wall and started barking uncontrollably. He then followed whatever he was barking at to the corner of the closet, let out a small grumble then stopped and sat down.

Harvey was a trained service dog. With substantial search and rescue training, while his working jacket was on, he never acted that way, before or since that day.

Wardens Quarters

The Warden’s wife died from an accidental gunshot wound in their bedroom in 1950. As she removed a jewel box from a cupboard, the hidden pistol fell to the floor, discharging a fatal bullet. She died from the wound three days later in hospital. 

The Warden himself died in his office after suffering a massive heart attack. Their voices can be heard by tourists and guides alike.

The Cell Blocks

The cell blocks of five and six stories high were designed to hold almost 2,000 prisoners.

East Cell Block has six tiers and could house 1,200 inmates at one time and is, in fact, the largest freestanding cell block in the world.

West Cell Block has five tiers housing 700 inmates and was built as the first part of the prison with larger cells.

Climbing around and exploring the different levels of East Cell Block, we did hear some more noises. Some of these specific experiences we had to chalk up to other people being around in the same area. However, again, Harvey’s stance and actions were as if he was following something and surprised us. 

WHAT LIES BENEATH

Deep beneath the prison are the cells known as Local Control or Solitary Confinement. But down here, even death is afraid of what lurks in the shadows. As taking your last breath in here can be an unbearable punishment unto its own.

More often than not, the single cells housed more than one prisoner. Hangings were common. One inmate even managed to set himself on fire, and another’s body was found lifeless, stuffed under his bunk.

The Hole

While in this section, we were again utterly alone or so we thought, yet we have seen and heard strange things. A few bizarre knocks, some whispers and even a tall shadow that peered around a corner blocking the exit sign, then darted out of sight. That would not be the last time we would encounter some unexplainable happenings. And again it took all my strength to keep Harvey at bay. He was continually alerting. 

Why Is There So Much Paranormal Activity Here?

As the worst of the worse became incarcerated, their punishments increased. It wasn’t long before they implemented torture devices. One such method was the use of “the butterfly”. Then there was electro-torture, water tubes and “The Hole”. Perhaps these spirits are unable to move on as it seems the case where they document torture.

Visitors have been pushed and punched, have heard cell doors slam, seen apparitions and have reported cold chills. Some say that it is the Mansfield hermit, Phoebe Wise.

With the number of violent deaths which have occurred during its occupation including those who died of diseases like TB, influenza, madness and suicides, is it a wonder hauntings take place? 

Two hundred and fifteen numbered graves are located just outside the Reformatory. Are these souls really at peace?

Troubled Ghosts of Ohio State Reformatory

One incident involved the Reformatory’s farm boss, who, with his wife and daughter, was kidnapped from the grounds of the prison in July 1948. Their bodies were found riddled with bullet holes. 

Two parolees were convicted of the crime which ended in a shoot-out. James West died at the scene, while the other, Robert Daniels, was sent to the electric chair the following year. 

HOLLYWOOD GOES TO PRISON

There is an uncomfortable aura around this site, with all the devious things taking place inside. Outside is strikingly beautiful and beckons you to enter the building. And of course, Hollywood is no exception, having filmed several movies here.

Tango and Cash – 1989. With stars Kurt Russell, Sylvester Stallone, and Terri Hatcher, to name a few.

The location was made famous with the movie The Shawshank Redemption – 1994, starring, Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins and many others.

Air Force One – 1997. With Harrison Ford, Glenn Close and William H. Macy.

Escape Plan: The Extractors – 2018. Starring again Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, and 50 Cent.

Plus many paranormal programs have played host to the Ohio State Reformatory such as Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters Academy.

Surprising Facts About The Reformatory

This historic building was bought from the State for $1 after it’s forced closure in 1990, and local activists began restoring it. 

The Reformatory is Non-profit. All donations go to the maintenance of the now-iconic structure, which has, on average, 120,000 visitors annually.

Short Video About Ohio State Reformatory

Our Takeaway

This place is incredible inside and out. With the history, the stories, the hauntings, the torture – this building has seen it all. We both had experiences here, and so did Harvey. It could be its limestone construction holding all that energy and the electricity in the air fuelling the experiences. 

We spoke with one of the staff about our experience in the Warden’s quarters. Several people have heard a child in that area. But there is no record of a young person ever dying in the Reformatory, and it remains a mystery.

Would we go again? Without a doubt. We would be back with better cameras as well. (Since visiting, we have upgraded to an iPhone and a Nikon.)

There is nothing like touring through an exciting place like this, especially when we almost had it to ourselves on this day.

Ohio state Reformatory IN A NUTSHELL

• Address: 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905
• Tour Seasons: 
  • April 1st – September 30th 
    • Open 7 days a week 11 am – 4 pm
  • October 1st – March 31st 
    • Closed Monday and Tuesday
    • Thursday – Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
• Closed all major holidays. In September and October, offering only Abbreviated Tours, due to Halloween events

TICKETS –     SELF-GUIDED GUIDED

• Adult (18 & up) $25 $30
• Students (ages 7-17) $23 $28
• Seniors (ages 60+) $23 $28
• College ID/Military $23 $28
• Youth (6 and under) Free Free
• Audio Wand $5 N/a

250,000 square feet through self-guided tours with audio wands

location map

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