There’s Nothing Most Disturbing Than This Ohio Reformatory…Trust Me

Although it's not the traditional haunted house experience, this historical reformatory is known for several real life hauntings and paranormal activity.  It's so well known for these experiences, that The Haunted Prison Experience is featured every October at the Ohio State Reformatory at 100 Reformatory Rd., Mansfield, OH 44905. (The costumes and props just add to the effect.)

But why? What exactly makes this reformatory so creepy? (Other than the fact that it is nearly a 130-year-old prison.)

Formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, this historic prison first opened in 1886 and is home to the state's most violent ghosts. Spirits of rioting inmates who often fought each other to the death in overcrowded isolation cells are said to haunt the halls and cells of this former prison.

The reformatory cost approximately $1.3 million to build over the course of 10 years.

Overtime, the reformatory officially transitioned into a high security prison—and with that transition brought more violent prisoners.

The most infamous tale of the prison involves "the hole," a small cell in which prisoners were held for three days when they were being punished. Several sources have reported that at one time there were two inmates held in "the hole"—and by the end of the three days one did not make it out alive.

Four major motion pictures were filmed at the reformatory, the most famous being the "The Shawshank Redemption" in 1993.

(Pictured: Warden's office and wall safe from the filming of "The Shawshank Redemption.")

Today, visitors can explore the reformatory via formal tours, ghost hunts and The Haunted Prison Experience.

To learn more about the Ohio State Reformatory, watch the video below:

Have you ever personally explored the reformatory? If so, share your experiences and photos with us in the comments below. If not, do you think you're brave enough to check it out for yourself?