On a recent weekend, we hosted two of Art’s brothers and their wives at our home. (Yep, the same group we have so much fun with!) While our family was here, we decided to take them to, arguably, our area’s most famous attraction, the Ohio State Reformatory. You may be thinking, “I’ve never heard of the Ohio State Reformatory,” but if you ever watch television, you’ve most likely seen it. It’s the prison used in the filming of The Shawshank Redemption. If you’re a fan of the movie, it’s time to get your geek on!
A Flop in Theaters
The Shawshank Redemption often appears in lists of the most-watched movies of all time. Ironically, the movie was not a hit in theaters but was wildly successful in video rentals. In fact, the first time Art and I watched it was a video rental. But don’t worry if you’re one of the few people who haven’t seen it; it’s on television quite frequently, especially on cable. If you can watch it, do. It is good, and it’s IMDB’s top-rated film.
Surprisingly, neither Art’s brothers nor their wives had seen the movie, so some of the references during the tour of the prison were lost on them. I hope they will watch the film the next time they have the opportunity. I think it’s pretty cool to go through the prison and recognize locations from scenes in the movie.
The Ohio State Reformatory
The Ohio State Reformatory was built in the late 1800s, opening in 1896. The Reformatory housed criminals who were too old for juvenile detention but had committed serious crimes. By going to the Reformatory, these younger criminals would avoid the hardened inmates of the Ohio State Penitentiary.
The state designed the Reformatory to educate and teach inmates trades, aiming to make them productive members of society. Typically, each inmate was sentenced to 18 months. If deemed unreformed at the end of the 18 months, inmates received an extension of another 18 months. This model worked; the Reformatory had a high success rate and low recidivism. However, I am sure a stint at the Ohio State Reformatory was not easy by any stretch of the imagination.
Touring Shawshank Prison
Designed by Cleveland architect Levi T. Schofield, the imposing central structure and two cell blocks are all that remain of the original Reformatory. These areas, the heart of the Reformatory, are currently available to tour.
Mini-Museums
The center structure houses what used to be the residence of the prison’s warden (and family), classrooms, and a huge chapel. There are several small museums housed within the central structure.
Ohio State Correctional Museum
The Ohio State Correctional Museum houses provocative artifacts such as weapons and uniforms. But the most imposing of the artifacts is that of “Old Sparky,” the electric chair used more than 300 times in the former Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, OH.
Shawshank Museum
Of course, there is the Shawshank Museum, comprised of sets from the movie and lots of memorabilia. Included is a copy of the book Different Seasons, published in 1982. This book is a collection of four novellas written by Steven King. One of those novellas is Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, the basis of the screenplay for The Shawshank Redemption.
North Central Ohio Industrial Museum
And a bit further away, toward the back of the building, is the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum featuring companies such as Westinghouse, Tappan, and Rupp, all of which, at one time, had extensive manufacturing facilities in the Mansfield area. Those of us of a certain age will recognize many of the artifacts in this museum. I am proud to say that some were before my time!
The Main Attraction
I won’t lie; it’s when you see the cell blocks that the tour gets real. The east cell block comprises six stories of metal cells and bars, considered the world’s largest free-standing steel cell block. It is literally a cage from top to bottom. The peeling paint adds to the gloom and doom of the cell blocks.
The west cell block looks a little better, but not by much. The one thing that makes the west cell block less imposing is the one that makes it more deadly. The east cell block is wholly enclosed by bars so no one can fall from any level. The west cell block is different because it has a railing open at the top along the walkway. Deaths occurred when people on this cell block were pushed or jumped over the railing.
For you Shawshank fans looking for inmate Andy Dufresne’s cell, where he tunneled out of prison, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. You’ll notice on the tour that all the solid walls, made of steel, are impenetrable. There is no tunneling out of this prison! An abandoned (and since demolished) warehouse near the prison housed the set with Andy’s cell.
Ancillary Rooms on the Tour
Additional rooms, such as the shower room, the library, and the hospital, are available on the tour. You might recognize the shower room from The Shawshank Redemption. During filming, there was no running water in the prison. The local fire department pumped the water from its tanker into the pipes to provide water for the shower scene. Dry ice was placed in the center drain so that steam came up when the water hit it. Those men in the movie were showering in cold water! Rumor has it the scene was filmed in one take, as I’m sure no one wanted to do that again!
Solitary Confinement Cells
The other notable area of the prison that you can tour is the solitary confinement cells. I’ll bet when those solid doors clanged closed, it was a rude awakening. Initially, the inmates slept on the floor. The addition of cots occurred in the 1970s.
There are a few more areas with pieces of movie sets that you can see. Such as the ‘sewer pipe’ that Andy Dufresne crawled through to reach freedom in The Shawshank Redemption. You’ll also see Brook’s ‘hotel’ room, created within the central building of the prison.
You may also recognize areas used in the movies Tango and Cash and Air Force One.
Ghost and Paranormal Tours
Over 200 people died in the prison during its use, mostly inmates and a few guards. So, it’s no surprise that the prison is said to be haunted and possesses a lot of paranormal activity. Tapings for a variety of paranormal shows have occurred at the prison.
Private and public ghost tours are offered regularly at the reformatory.
And if you’re really interested in the paranormal, ParaPsyCon IV is being held at the reformatory on 20 -21 May 2023.
Blood Prison
For those who love to scare themselves silly, the Ohio State Reformatory hosts Blood Prison in the fall from late September to early November. You can be chased by terrifying monsters, clown inmates, and more, all within the confines of what has been called one of the top 20 haunts in America.
Inkarceration
Another wildly successful event at the prison each year is Inkarceration, a heavy metal music and tattoo festival held every summer since 2018. (Except for 2020, during COVID.) The dates for 2023 are 14 -16 July. I am not a fan of heavy metal music, but even I have heard of Limp Bizkit and Megadeath, two of the many bands performing this year. With attendance capped at 25,000 per day, the event sold out in 2022 and is expected to do so again this year. If you’re interested, buy your tickets early!
Shawshank Hustle
But wait… there’s more! For you movie/fitness buffs (and I know you’re out there), there’s the Shawshank Hustle, a 7K run that begins and ends at the reformatory. The run, filled with fun, goes into downtown Mansfield past several filming sites from The Shawshank Redemption. Runners divided into two groups, the inmates and the guards, race to beat the warden’s time. The timed race rewards the runners with some seriously collectible medals. It’s not too early to sign up now, as only 2,500 participants are allowed!
Getting to the Prison
Located halfway between Columbus and Cleveland, the Reformatory is an easy day trip from either city. It’s situated just north of US 30 in Mansfield, a few miles west of I-71.
Or perhaps you’d like to come and stay in the Mansfield area and make day trips to Columbus or Cleveland. There are numerous hotels and VRBO units (including mine) where you can stay for much less than you would pay in larger cities.
Tour Options
There are two options for touring the prison, self-guided or guided.
If you prefer the guided tour, there are a few options:
Hollywood Meets History Tour takes you through the prison along with the intact set from The Shawshank Redemption.
Beyond the Bars Tour provides access to areas not open to the general public, such as the attic above the West Cell Block and the sub-basement.
Inmate Confessions Tour combines the audio tour and spending an hour with a former inmate incarcerated at the Reformatory in the late 1960s. (Intended for mature audiences.) Personally, I think this would be fascinating.
Cost
Self-guided tours are $25 per person ($2 discount for students, seniors, and military). Guided tours are $35 per person ($2 discount for students, seniors, and military). Children ages six and under are free for either the self-guided or the guided tours. The Inmate Confessions tour is $40 per person. (All prices shown are valid as of 2023.)
Shawshank Trail Bus Tour
And if you’re really into The Shawshank Redemption movie, you can take the Shawshank Bus Tour. This privately booked tour on a luxury bus holding up to twelve people takes you by numerous sites used in filming The Shawshank Redemption, known locally as the Shawshank Trail. (This tour is limited to ages 13 and above.) The tour lasts about 4.5 hours and includes the prison’s Hollywood Meets History guided tour. (You can drive the Shawshank Trail independently, but you’ll miss out on the commentary.)
Ohio State Reformatory Hours
The Ohio State Reformatory is generally open from 11 am to 4 pm, seven days a week during the spring and summer, and Thursday – Sunday from October to April. It is closed on major holidays. Check out their website for details. If you would like to schedule a private tour, call 419-522-2644.
Virtual Tours
If, for some reason, you can’t make a tour in person, there is one more option: a virtual tour! Five dollars (US) gives you 24-hour access to a 53-minute virtual tour of the Ohio State Reformatory.
Shawshank Fans’ Geek Out
You don’t have to be a fan of The Shawshank Redemption to appreciate touring the Ohio State Reformatory, but it is fun to try to picture scenes from the movie in your mind as you walk through the prison.
If you’re a fan of The Shawshank Redemption, have you visited the Ohio State Reformatory? Perhaps you’ve seen other exciting movie filming locations you’d like to share with us? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
