Ohio State Reformatory Haunting
Built in 1886, the Ohio State Reformatory housed over 155,000 inmates before closing in 1990. With 200+ documented deaths including murders, suicides, and a warden's wife killed by a falling gun, it's now one of America's most haunted prisons—featured in Shawshank Redemption and countless paranormal investigations.
The Haunted Prison of Mansfield
The Ohio State Reformatory operated for over a century, housing violent offenders in increasingly brutal conditions. With hundreds of deaths on site and decades of suffering soaked into its Gothic walls, it’s become one of America’s most active paranormal locations.
The Building
Gothic architecture:
- Built 1886-1910
- Romanesque design
- Largest cell block
- Free-standing in world
- 250,000 square feet
The History
Century of operation:
- 1896 opened
- 1990 closed
- 155,000 inmates
- Overcrowded
- Violent history
The Deaths
Documented fatalities:
- 200+ deaths
- Murders
- Suicides
- Disease
- Violence
Helen Glattke
The warden’s wife:
- 1950 incident
- Gun fell from shelf
- Accidentally discharged
- Died from wounds
- Still haunts
Arthur Glattke
The warden:
- Wife’s death devastated
- Died 9 years later
- Heart attack in office
- Same building
- Reunited?
The Administration Wing
Most active area:
- Warden’s quarters
- Helen’s presence
- Rose perfume scent
- Cold spots
- Apparition seen
The Cell Blocks
Prisoner spirits:
- East cell block
- West cell block
- Shadow figures
- Cell doors slam
- Voices heard
Solitary Confinement
The Hole:
- Brutal conditions
- Men died here
- Extreme activity
- Screaming heard
- Touching reported
The Chapel
Spiritual center:
- Religious services
- But also deaths
- Organ plays alone
- Voices singing
- Peaceful feeling
The Infirmary
Medical wing:
- Deaths from disease
- Tuberculosis
- Overcrowded
- Apparitions
- Suffering energy
The Shawshank Connection
Famous film:
- Filmed here 1994
- Shawshank Redemption
- Increased fame
- Tourism boost
- Iconic location
Ghost Hunts
Public investigations:
- Overnight events
- Equipment provided
- High activity
- Evidence captured
- Popular destination
Evidence Collected
Documentation:
- EVP recordings
- Full apparitions
- Shadow figures
- Physical contact
- Consistent activity
The Guards
Who haunts:
- Not just prisoners
- Guards too
- Authority figures
- Still patrolling
- Both sides
Restoration
Preservation efforts:
- Nonprofit operates
- Ongoing restoration
- Tours available
- History preserved
- Revenue from haunts
Significance
A century of documented deaths in a preserved Gothic prison with consistent paranormal activity reported by thousands.
Legacy
The Ohio State Reformatory proves that places of prolonged suffering create lasting impressions—155,000 inmates and hundreds of deaths left energy that refuses to leave.