The Shawshank Prison

The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield is both a Hollywood landmark and one of America’s most haunted prisons. Over 200 deaths during its operation, combined with the violence of prison life, have left spirits that thousands of visitors encounter.

The Building

Architectural marvel:

• Gothic Victorian
• World’s largest free-standing steel cellblock
• Built 1886-1910
• 250,000 square feet
• Six tiers of cells

The History

Operational period:

• 1896-1990
• 94 years operation
• 155,000 inmates
• Intermediate reformatory
• Eventually closed

The Deaths

Over 200:

• Disease
• Violence
• Suicide
• Murder
• Various causes

Famous Film

The Shawshank Redemption:

• Filmed 1994
• Stephen King story
• Major portions here
• Classic film
• Increased fame

The Warden’s Wife

Helen Glattke:

• Warden’s wife
• Shot accidentally
• 1950 incident
• Died from wounds
• Spirit remains

Warden Glattke

Arthur Glattke:

• Warden 1935-1959
• Wife died 1950
• He died 1959
• Heart attack in office
• Both haunt building

The Chapel

Active location:

• Helen’s presence
• Flowery perfume
• Her apparition
• Prayers heard
• Documented activity

The Hole

Solitary confinement:

• Basement level
• Total darkness
• Punishing conditions
• Extreme activity
• Most feared area

Chair Room

Torture area:

• Restraint chair used
• Punishment station
• Intense energy
• Shadow figures
• Documented

East Cell Block

Main housing:

• Six tiers
• Thousands lived here
• Many died here
• Abundant activity
• Investigation focus

The Activity

Reported phenomena:

• Full apparitions
• Voices
• Footsteps
• Screaming
• Physical contact

Ghost Tours

Access available:

• Day tours
• Night investigations
• Overnight stays
• Various packages
• Very popular

Evidence Collected

Investigation finds:

• EVP recordings
• Apparition photos
• Temperature drops
• EMF spikes
• Video anomalies

Ghost Adventures

TV investigation:

• Multiple visits
• Evidence captured
• Physical effects
• Confirmed activity
• Increased fame

Significance

94 years of prison violence and 200+ deaths creating one of America’s most active paranormal locations.

Legacy

The Ohio State Reformatory combines Hollywood fame with genuine haunting—a Gothic prison where inmates never completed their sentences and warden and wife still walk the halls.