Ohio State Reformatory

Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio

On the weekend of April 13th & 14th I hosted my first photographic workshop with Sherry Butts at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. This is the prison where the Morgan Freeman movie The Shawshank Redemption was filmed. The prison was built between 1886 and 1910 and ceased operation in 1990. The exterior of the building was given a Romanesque style to have a castle like appearance. The Eastern Cell Block of the prison is the largest free standing steel cell block in the world at six tiers high!

In the reformatory’s 94 year history a total of 154,00 inmates would pass through the gates. Of this number over 200 inmates died during incarceration, including two guards that were killed during escape attempts. The prison is said to be haunted by a number of ghosts and one certainly gets an eerie feeling walking among the cell blocks and other areas of the facility.

I am really looking forward to making a return visit with another photo tour group. To be added to the contact list be sure to reach out to me with your email address by clicking here.

Below is a selection of various scenes throughout the prison. To view a larger collection of photos be sure to visit my Ohio State Reformatory gallery on my website.

The Hospital, Ohio State Reformatory (Sunrays added in Luminar)

Prisoner’s Cell, Ohio State Reformatory

East Cell Block, Ohio State Reformatory

Prisoner’s Cell, Ohio State Reformatory

Hospital Entrance, Ohio State Reformatory

Triangle Room, Ohio State Reformatory

Library, Ohio State Reformatory

Solitary Confinement, Ohio State Reformatory

Inside Looking Out, Ohio State Reformatory

West Cell Block, Ohio State Reformatory

West Cell Block, Ohio State Reformatory