The Ohio State Reformatory

The Ohio State Reformatory, aka “the Shawshank Prison”,  is located in Mansfield, Ohio. It opened in the early 1900s and served as a prison until closing in 1990.

The Shawshank Redemption

The prison has served as a backdrop in numerous films (Tango & Cash and Air Force One), but perhaps the most famous is the The Shawshank Redemption. Additionally, a fun fact is that the movie was based on the short story by Stephen King, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

The non-profit group that runs the prison and tours is continuously working to bring memorabilia from the film to display. Also, there is signed posters and props scattered everywhere throughout the prison.

Hollywood Meets History Tour

There are numerous tours. However, the most popular (and the only tour acceptable for children) is the “Hollywood Meets History Tour”.

About half of the tour covers the history of the Ohio State Reformatory. The other half covers stories regarding the Shawshank Redemption. Also, if you are a fan of the movie, as I am, this is a great tour.

Some of the rooms you will visit from the movie include the cells, the Warden’s room, Brook’s apartment and the showers. Additionally, they even have on display the prop sewer tunnel.

I highly recommend this tour. Additionally, the tour also includes the ability to do your own self guided tour before or after. However, if you are looking to save a little money, you can do only a self-guided tour. Unfortunately, you will miss out on a lot of the stories about the movie and prison’s history, which I found entertaining.

Also, if you are looking for more information, there is a “Beyond the Bars” tour. It takes you to other rooms in the prison that aren’t accessible on the self-guided tour.

Despite never housing an execution, the prison offers an “Old Sparky” tour. Lastly, there is a “Shawshank Bus Tour” that also travels to some of the other filming sites outside of the prison.

the prison Block

There are numerous other rooms you will see on the Hollywood Meets History tour, that are also available on the self guided tour. The most dramatic are the east and west cell blocks, which are 5 stories of dozens of rows of cells.

I can only imagine what it must have been like to live here as a prisoner. Additionally, you will visit the chapel and the solitary confinement block.

ALSO CONSIDER VISITING THESE NEARBY AREAS