Creepy and Cool: The Ohio State Reformatory Experience
Where paranormal activity and poop meets The Shawshank Redemption
When Donetta asked me if I wanted to go to The Ohio State Reformatory, I was less than enthusiastic about visiting a prison. I had worked in a jail as a detention officer a long time ago and had seen all I wanted to see about the locked-up life of a prisoner. But since it was free with our NARM membership,1 I submitted to her request.
Before our arrival, I was informed that this was the place where The Shawshank Redemption was filmed, and even though I only remember about two minutes of the movie, I thought it could be a cool experience to say I was there, so whatever.
Just another thing to check off the list!
Driving up to the location, you’d believe you were visiting some medieval castle resort. The outside was beautiful and welcoming. It was almost too inviting, calling you to come in while giving the sense that you might never leave. I was amazed and intrigued.
My first stop was the men’s room outside. That’s the gift of aging and driving more than 15 minutes after having two cups of coffee. It was a pleasant and uneventful moment.
Walking up to the reformatory, I could see two people peering out the windows. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman! Soon, I realized it was just a cardboard cutout, and I would not be meeting any celebrities today. Well, maybe. I’m not too certain, but I’ll get to that in a few.
As I entered the building, I felt something, something out of the ordinary.
The reformatory opened its doors in 1896, and it was designed to house younger inmates who committed lesser crimes, providing them with the opportunity to learn a trade and receive education that could "rehabilitate their lives. If they did well, they could be released after 18 months, and until the 1960s, the program was very successful.
Unfortunately, it would later become a maximum security prison and ultimately deteriorate under horrible conditions. Over 200 people would die there due to murder, suicide, accidents, and illness. Creepy!
The first levels of TOSR housed many artifacts discovered hidden within its walls and prison cells, and also provided a record of who was there and the prison's purpose. There were also a dozen rooms where the movie The Shawshank Redemption was filmed, filled with signed memorabilia from the writers, directors, and actors, as well as film props.
This was the lighter part of the self-guided tour, but from there it got dark really fast.
We would soon find ourselves in the bowels of the prison, a macabre labyrinth of rotting prisoner cells, solitary confinement hell holes, and eerie rooms where paranormal activities and hauntings have taken place. It all felt so sinister and evil — especially when I entered a haunted room and sat in a lone chair for who knows what.
The air was dank and everything was decayed.
The walls were peeling paint and seemed to be screaming of the tortures of the prisoners who were beaten or killed inside of them.
And that’s when I felt it: something painful inside me telling me it was time to go.
Turns out, I desperately needed a toilet.
I hated to leave Donetta alone in the dark recess of that prison, but there was no time to play the hero card. It was now or never. Wondering if I’d ever see her again, I sprinted down six flights of rickety stairs, past cells and interrogation holes, to reach my final destination. In the nick of time.
Together again, we explored the last eerie wing of the reformatory, where ParaPsyCon VI, a paranormal conference, was about to take place, and we possibly passed TV celebrities who chase Bigfoot and ghosts for a living.
Honestly, I don’t know, and I don’t care, because personally, I think it’s all hokey. Sorry!
After emerging from the reformatory, the sun warmly greeted us, we took our last photos, and climbed into the tan van for other adventures.
Overall, I was grateful for the experience at The Ohio State Reformatory. It was a mix of cool and creepy, set against the backdrop of Hollywood and horror. The staff was fantastic and the memories will last a lifetime. I would certainly do it again!
If you make it to Mansfield, Ohio, this place is a must.
The North American Reciprocal Museum Association is an incredible way to explore places across the United States for free, minus the membership fee. Donetta will soon share a post about this membership and how much money we’ve saved with it!