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History. Redemption. Legacy.

Experience the beauty, hope, and restoration of the Ohio State Reformatory.

Everyone Who Visits Comes Away With Their Own Reformatory Story. Start Yours Now…

Experience firsthand the history and legacy of the Ohio State Reformatory, a building with countless stories that range from terrifying and tragic to inspiring and hopeful. Come learn about our history while creating your own Reformatory Story.

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Decide what your visit will look like by choosing one or more of our customizable tours or experiences.

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Embrace the Past

As you enter the gates, the striking architecture marks the beginning of your memorable visit.

Tell Your Story

Whether it involves Shawshank, the paranormal, or a historical deep dive, share your unforgettable experience.

Offered Tours

Tour all 250,000 square feet of the prison and learn about its history, Hollywood connections, and paranormal activity.

Follow in the footsteps of Andy and Red by exploring the filming site of The Shawshank Redemption — IMDb’s all-time highest-rated film.

Whether you want to hunt for ghosts or be haunted by them, you’re in the right place!

Keep an eye on our calendar so you never miss out on any harrowing happenings here.

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The Ohio State Reformatory As Seen On 

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Locked Up & Lovin’ It At Ohio’s Shawshank Prison

The Ohio State Reformatory (OSR)  

By frank rocco satullo, the ohiotraveler, your tour guide to fun.

They drove along Reformatory Drive, their attention captured by the stone monster flickering through the fence.

One car was smothered amid a hundred bikers, all donning their leather cuts and club patch. The mass of vehicles slowly constricted to turn and enter a time capsule behind the main gate. Ahead was an avenue of buckeye trees emphasizing – “arrival.” It led smack into the prison, looming as an imposing castle.

“How would you like to live across the street from a prison?” A man asked a boy as they walked, gesturing at the houses across the way.

“Living across from a castle would be awesome!” The boy exclaimed, ignoring the leading question.

Everyone stood in awe of The Ohio State Reformatory . No wonder epic films like Shawshank Redemption were shot at this architectural gem in Mansfield, Ohio. With well over 100 years of hellish stories in its vault, it is ironic that this place was originally meant to inspire. Yet, just as easily, its mixture of architectural styles featuring Chateauesque and Richardsonian with Gothic overtones could also intimidate.

Before morphing into a maximum-security prison, it was meant to reform young males, 16-21 years old. Levi Tucker Schofield, an architect, designed it with the intent to trigger a spiritual rebirth in its wayward inmates. It opened in 1886 while it was still under construction, which had started about ten years earlier. The grounds were previously used for Union soldier training during the Civil War. Inmates helped build the East Cell Block, which then began housing some of those very laborers in 1910. This cell block is proclaimed to be the world’s largest, free-standing, steel cell block, according to the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society. It stands six-tiers high holding 600 cells that once had 1,200 inmates. The West Cell Block has five tiers and 350 cells which sometimes held as many as four men each.

The prison’s artful deterioration is one of its strongest focal points. The way its lead-based paint has cracked and curled created a bizarre beauty out of decay. What is now interestingly photogenic was an eyesore and health risk to the last prisoners who lived there before it was finally closed in 1990. By then, some 155,000 boys and men had spent time locked up there.

“If you think the conditions look inhumane today, it was much more brutal for those who had to live there during its last decade of operation,” said Cheryl Knerman, Ohio State Reformatory historian and volunteer. Most just call her, “Ma,” she’s been there so long.

Inmates filed a lawsuit in 1978 citing the unlivable conditions. The suit was settled in 1983 due to constitutional rights being violated. Some improvements were made before the last prisoner was relocated and the place finally closed, slated for demolition.

“There were rats and cockroaches! Men wore hairnets just so the roaches didn’t crawl into their ears while they slept,” Knerman said.

When you enter prison, you don’t just lose dignity; you lose your personal identity. You are assigned a number, and that number is your new name. That number will remain in your head for the rest of your life.

“I was in there from 1987 until right before it shut down. What I remember most was how LOUD it was in there 24-hours a day. Nineteen years old and young and cocky. After Mansfield, I decided that crime most definitely did not pay. That place was hell,” said prison number R 143-483.

“It is haunted. Was hell. Never fit for an animal,” said prison number R 147-169.

“It was pure hell. You felt dead while there!” said UMBER 99028.

More than 200 prisoners never left. And all there is to remember them is their prison number on a marker in the prison cemetery. These men weren’t even buried with their birth names. Causes of death included falls, slit throats, drinking toxic fluids, stabbings by scissors and screwdrivers, setting oneself on fire, being set on fire by another prisoner using flammable fluids, suicide by hanging, and natural causes.

Another thing prisoners left behind to be remembered is graffiti. Prisoner words and drawings are found inside cells and especially the attic of the West Cell Block near the chapel.

In the early days, three goals were set to rehabilitate each young man entering the reformatory: Gain an education, learn a trade skill, and find religion. But that vision eroded along with the walls. As the 20th Century progressed, ideals for reforming inmates regressed and hardened criminals began filling the cell bunks. These cells were originally meant for sleeping and not much else. The prisoners spent much of their time outside of their cells, working. The grounds had a clothing factory and furniture factory. Its butcher shop slaughtered cattle, chickens, and pigs from the prison barns. There were even a printing shop and prison newspaper – The New Day – written by inmates and edited by the Chaplain. The place was self-sustaining. But this was life for the lesser offenders. In the later years, when it became a maximum-security prison, inmates spent most of their time in cells so small they only fit a bunk with standing room on one side and a sink and toilet wedged behind it.

In summer, the heat was unbearable. You can easily imagine the misery by walking through the East Cell Block. On one side, bodies were stacked in very tight quarters, and on the other side, large old metal fans roosted in the rotting walls. No doubt, it was sweltering at times. And in winter, it was freezing.

So, tensions could flair. And when they did, hotheads were sent to The Hole!

The Hole is solitary confinement which is located off The Bullpen. The original isolation area was in the sub-basement, thus, The Hole. A typical stay in solitary confinement was three days with no lights and temperature kept at 95 degrees.

Saul Harris and Scott Thompson were sent to The Hole on December 27, 1988 – together in one cell! Only Thompson came out alive. He strangled Harris.

Two inmates broke out of isolation in 1932. Inmate Merrill Chandler fatally hit a guard, Frank Hanger, in the head with a pipe. Inmate Chester Probaski was with him. The following year, both were executed by electric chair at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus, and both on the same day. Today, the actual electric chair, nicknamed Old Sparky, is on display at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. It claimed 315 lives from 1897 to 1963.

The most horrific killings happened there in 1948. The murder spree duo of Robert Daniels (convicted of robbery) and John West (convicted of auto theft) was dubbed, The Mad Dog Killers.

They despised a guard named “Red” Harris. They swore that once they were freed, they’d return to kill him. When the time came, they first went on a robbery spree and murdered a tavern owner. They needed Harris’s address, so they went to the prison farm superintendent, John Neible. Frustrated that the address wasn’t forthcoming, the two ex-cons killed Neible, his daughter, and his wife and left. The killing field grew. A farmer was killed for his car. A statewide manhunt was issued, so they had to switch vehicles. They then killed a trucker for his truck.

The story went national. At a state line roadblock, a shootout ensued. The 22-year-old West got out of the vehicle and was shot to death. The 24-year-old Daniels was captured and executed in Old Sparky on January 3, 1949.

There’s a book about this story of bloodlust by Scott Fields, titled, The Mansfield Killings.

There was also a warden – called Superintendent – and his wife, whose lives were claimed at the prison, which doubled as their home. The front portion of the prison was lavish. Today, as you sift through one room of ruin to the next, you gain a sense of the expense that went into housing the superintendent and his family. Of course, like the rest of the prison, it takes imagination to see what was once there through the layers of peeling wallpaper, broken tile, and ceilings that look as though they’re suffering from Leprosy.

The superintendent’s family occupied the three floors of the East administrative area. Others, including the chaplain, assistant superintendents, and some guards occupied the second and third floors of the West administrative area.

In November 1950, the superintendent’s wife, Helen Glattke, reached for a jewelry box in her closet, knocking a loaded pistol to the floor. She was shot in the chest and screamed for her two young boys to get their dad. She died a few days later. Roughly nine years later, her husband, Arthur Glattke, fell dead of a heart attack in his superintendent’s office.

There are so many brutal and mysterious deaths that happened in this castle-like prison spanning well over a century; many are convinced it’s haunted.

Paranormal occurrences are frequently reported. They happen inside and outside of the prison. It could be during a day tour with up to 20 witnesses or at night. Throughout the year, the prison is opened overnight from the sub-basement to the attic for ghost hunters to roam at will. Anyone from zero to serious ghost hunting experience is permitted, but these opportunities are filled almost as fast as they are announced. Many bring special equipment to try and catch a sign of the supernatural.

In a windowless room on the third floor’s middle corridor, there’s a bowed back wall. The room is empty except for one old wooden chair. If you close the door and turn off your flashlight, it’ll be the blackest black your eyes ever saw. Remain still and silent. Something very weird may happen as has been reported, often. When you turn your flashlight back on, the chair will be in a different location.

Other freaky experiences commonly reported to staff are the feeling of your hair being tugged, abruptly, a finger running across your back, even a fingernail scratching into your skin. It’s events like these that have some rush for the doors never to return.

“Overnighters are urged not to provoke the dead,” said Kneram. “Keep in mind; you’re in prison.”

The prison at night is a completely different experience. You definitely need a flashlight to navigate the vast building. Volunteers and a security detail patrol throughout the castle and decrepit cell blocks to ensure respect is given to the building and other people.

Kneram shared haunting stories she experienced firsthand or with associates. She said that once, she was with Scott Sukel, Ghost Hunt Manager, in Isolation. At the end of the corridor, she was poked so hard in her ribs that she gasped. Later, she overheard another associate tell a mutual colleague that she was poked in the shoulder while walking through the Isolation corridor. They wondered about guards that used to walk the range jabbing inmates in the ribs to hurry them along.

Another incident Kneram recalled was when she was with a lady named Jill Keppler. They brought a tape recorder to an Isolation cell where guests were complaining about being scratched. They asked, “Who is scratching.” When they played it back, they were stunned by a loud male voice responding sharply and clearly, “Leave it alone!” This is known as an electronic voice phenomenon or EVP. It’s when an unknown voice reveals itself when a video or voice recording device is played back.

Unexplained phenomena are reported all the time. Doors are heard slamming nearby where there are no signs of life. Footsteps are heard in hallways or on staircases. Audible voices are heard. Apparitions are seen. Even odd smells of tobacco or floral scents are sensed when there is nothing of the like anywhere to be found. These accounts and many more appear in a book by Sherri Brake titled, Haunted History of the Ohio State Reformatory.

Perhaps the greatest story ever told within the walls of the historic reformatory is a fictional tale and major motion picture – The Shawshank Redemption.

The prison was to be demolished after the Shawshank filming in the early 1990s so much of the movie props were left behind.

A painting of Jesus is found in the West Cell Block. In the movie, this served as the video room for Shawshank inmates to see movies. It used to be a chapel. Long ago, it even served as a mattress factory where inmates worked. The painting is a leftover prop, and now the room is referred to as The Jesus Room.

On the prison’s third floor, near the base of the chapel steps, is a beam across the ceiling in an adjacent room. Carved into it are the words, “Brooks was here” and next to it – “So was Red.” This is a replica of the set where Brooks hung himself at the halfway house and Red, later, considered doing the same.

One of the most magical moments in the history of cinema was the tunnel escape Andy Dufresne, Shawshank’s protagonist, used after digging straight through his cell wall over the years. He used pinup girl posters to hide the hole. This tunnel is now displayed in the actual prison’s Bullpen area and is just a little longer than a banquet table. Believe it or not, syrup and sawdust were used to mimic sewage in the pipe for filming the escape scene.

The Shawshank Trail is a do-it-yourself driving tour that hits over a dozen filming sites for the movie. These feature the Shawshank warden’s office located in the West administration area of the real prison. In it, visitors will see the wall safe from the movie. Other sites include the bank Andy visited after escaping prison, Red’s bus station, the rock wall and oak tree where Red found what Andy left him, the old hotel where Brooks hung himself, and the courthouse where Andy stood trial. You can even visit the theatre where The Shawshank Redemption premiered on September 13, 1994.

Many other movie scenes and music videos were filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory. This includes the Russian prison scene at the beginning of the 1997 movie, Air Force One. It was shot in the West Cell Block. Today, there are still two enormous pictures of Russian communist leaders Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin hanging side-by-side down a wall in the Central Guard Room.

In the first tier of the West Cell Block is one cell that stands out from the rest. It is painted red and has gold bars. This was done for the filming of a Li’l Wayne “Go DJ” rap video. Some of the other cells were restored for the filming of Godsmack’s “Awake” music video.

Film crews weren’t the first to leave behind reminders of their presence. When the Ohio State Reformatory was closed in 1990, what wasn’t deemed valuable enough to move was considered trash and left behind. It was expected to be demolished with the rest of the building.

Fortunately, a group of people saw the value in preserving the reformatory. The Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society (MRPS) was formed in 1992 after the prison’s back buildings were leveled and only the castle-like main structure remained. The Richland Correctional Facility was built where the old reformatory’s factories and outbuilding used to stand. And even further back is the Mansfield Correctional Institute. The remaining planned demolition of the old prison was halted. MRPS took control in 1995 and took ownership in November 2000.

When volunteers organized to clean up the structure, they found that debris was left everywhere. Much of that debris is strategically placed throughout the prison. It includes inmate clothing, X-rays and other health records, and personal belongings. In some cells, old torn personal letters are pieced together and placed on top of old metal bunk bed frames.

The first tours started in 1996. Two years later, the first ghost hunt was facilitated. Both were small in scale and few and far between. Today, the prison is open daily for self-guided tours. Guided tours are available on Sundays covering the West Tower, East Cell Block, Hollywood, and Behind the Scenes. Since getting around the prison requires extensive stair climbing, a modified cell block tour is available for those with limited mobility. Ghost Walks and Ghost Hunts are periodically scheduled throughout the year. Private events and group tours are also available. And every Halloween season features a Haunted Prison Experience with actors, animatronics, and props. Directions, pricing, schedules, and other details are found at mrps.org .

By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler, Your Tour Guide to Fun!

The following video outtakes are for your amusement:

Ghost Caught On Film

“I See Dead People”

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Shawshank Prison

Historic ohio state reformatory, shawshank museum & bus tours.

Y our Shawshank Trail begins at the famous Historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. This building is one of the top five castle resembling structures in the country! The Reformatory is home to the world’s tallest freestanding steel cell block, consisting of six tiers, 12 ranges, and 600 cells. Major motion pictures have been filmed here including Tango and Cash , Harry and Walter Go To New York , Air Force One , Escape Plan: The Extractors, Judas and the Black Messiah,  and The Shawshank Redemption .  Notable YouTube videos filmed at the Reformatory include TrunkFest and Mr. Beast . (millions of views!), as well as Buzzfeed and the Science Channel .

The building lives as a grand architectural achievement with large granite pillars and elegant construction within over 250,000 square feet. With its variety of architectural styles like Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Queen Anne, The Ohio State Reformatory is something you have to see to believe!

Do time in the Shawshank Museum where you’ll immerse yourself in props, set pieces, costumes, and other treasures involved in the movie. And bring home souvenirs from the Museum Store, so you can relive your visit to the cherished movie site. Included in the admission price. As screenwriter and director of The Shawshank Redemption, Frank Darabont collected many posters and original artwork related to Shawshank. His collection now graces the hallways at OSR in the Frank and Rae Darabont Gallery Shawshank Collection.

Be sure to check out Brooks’ hotel room, Andy’s office, the Warden’s office, the fresh fish yellow line, the tunnel Andy crawled through to freedom, and so much more.  We don’t want to give away all the surprises!

Shawshank Bus Tours :  Tour the Shawshank Trail in style! Visit 10 local filming locations in 3 hours while being led by a professional guide. Included is a full 90 minute guided Hollywood Meets History walking tour of the Ohio State Reformatory. Total tour time – approximately 4.5 hours. If you are interested in booking the bus for a private group, please reach out to Ashleigh Ramey at [email protected] .

The Ohio State Reformatory

100 Reformatory Rd., Mansfield, OH 44905 OhioStateReformatory.org (419) 522-2644

Hours:  Click HERE

Self-Guided Tours

$5 additional for audio wand.

Guided Tours

Shawshank Trail Fun Fact

The Ohio State Reformatory starred in the movie as Maine’s fictional Shawshank State Prison. Do time in the Shawshank Museum: five rooms of props, costumes, set pieces, and other treasures from the film. Also see the safe in Warden Norton’s office, Red’s Parole Board room, Andy’s escape tunnels, and more. You can even take a photo with your favorite Shawshank character from the movie!

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

• United States

Ohio State Reformatory

Mansfield, Ohio, United States

Best known as the prison where The Shawshank Redemption was shot, the tale of Ohio State Reformatory is one of America’s most gruesome prison stories yet one of its most beautiful buildings.

Sarah Roller

24 nov 2020, @sarahroller8.

About Ohio State Reformatory

Designed by famed prison architect and Cleveland native Levi Scofield and built between 1886 and 1910, Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio is a magnificent building. It crosses three architectural styles – Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne – and is best known as the prison where The Shawshank Redemption was filmed.

History of the Ohio State Reformatory

The origins of OSR date back to the 19th century: Mansfield was suggested as a site that would be suitable for a new penitentiary. The new facility cost around $1.5 million dollars to build – including the purchase of the land on which it was built. Construction took over 20 years due to funding delays.

Levi Scofield deisgned the building: it was originally intended for first-time offenders to be humanely rehabilitated and the architecture was supposed to ‘encourage inmates back to a rebirth of their spiritual lives…away from their sinful lifestyle and toward repentance’. It opened in 1896: the first prisoners were put to work helping with the construction of the prison’s sewer system.

OSR quickly became the domain of the very worst criminals in the American penal system. Described variously as ‘brutal’, ‘inhumane’, ‘disgraceful’ and ‘unfit for human habitation’, the penitentiary was closed by court order in 1990: prisoners made a class action suit on grounds of inhumane conditions and intense overcrowding. OSR has a dark yet utterly fascinating history that is brought to life thanks to the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, who are in the midst of major restoration and renovation.

Ohio State Reformatory today

Self-guided tours of the infamous prison are available but we’d suggest one of the guided tours including the Hollywood Tour where you’ll see Warden Norton’s office, the Parole Board room and Andy Dufresne’s Rita Hayworth-covered escape tunnel. You’ll also see the cell block used in Harrison Ford’s Air Force One.

The West Tower Tour gives you the view from the Guard Tower and the numerically-assigned cemetery and you can walk the length of the world’s largest freestanding steel cell block during the the East Cell Block Tour. The behind The Scenes Tour takes you down into the sub-basement, into the yard where Andy and Red would sit and talk and you’ll hear gruesome stories of inmate punishment, of deplorable conditions, brutal guards, inedible food, rats and disease as well as ‘the sweatbox’ and ‘the hole’…

One of the most popular tours at OSR is Paranormal Penitentiary created by Hollywood FX maestro Robert Kurtzman and there are also night-time ghost hunts. Visitors have long-claimed to have seen and heard ghostly screams, voices and visions of cons and even the warden and his wife who was brutally murdered by two escapees in the late 1940s.

If you’re looking for one of the world’s best prison tours, come and visit Red, the only guilty man in Shawshank.

Getting to Ohio State Reformatory

OSR is on Reformatory Road in Mansfield, just off Route 545, in the north west of the town. There’s parking nearby. Mansfield is about a 90 minute drive from Cleveland via the I-11, or just over an hour north of Columbus, also via the I-11. You’ll struggle to get here via public transport.

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Famous Prisons

Discover the most famous prisons in the world, from Alcatraz to the Devil's Island, where you can follow in the footsteps of the world’s most high profile prisoners in these notorious penitentiaries.

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• North America
• 7 Prison Museums You Can...

Prison Museums You Can Visit Across The US

With over 100,000 prisons and jails around the globe, historic jail cells and prison museums have become a huge draw for tourists, and the US is no different – the states has over a dozen historic prisons to discover. From Alcatraz Island’s remote location off the shores of San Francisco to Eastern State Penitentiary’s famous haunted cells, learn about the histories and tales that characterize the past of these seven U.S. prisons.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Alcatraz, California

Alcatraz is reputed to have housed some of the most dangerous prisoners of the 20th century, including mobster Al Capone and gangster Alvin Karpowicz ; referred to as ‘the prison system’s prison,’ Alcatraz received the most difficult inmates. Built on an island off the coast of San Francisco, ‘The Rock,’ as it was nicknamed, made for a challenging escape, although over a dozen attempts were made – none of which were successful. Alcatraz was originally built in the 1850s as a U.S. military fortress and housed military prisoners until 1933, when it was renovated as a maximum-security prison. Alcatraz could hold 260–275 prisoners during its time of operation, less than one percent of the entire federal inmate population, but officially closed its doors in 1963 due to its high operating costs.

Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) was part of a controversial movement in the early 1800s that advocated the use of solitary confinement and hard labor to alter the behavior of inmates. Designed in a ‘radial-style’ floor plan, ESP was one of the most costly buildings of its time, with vaulted ceilings, skylights, and 253 cells, each with its own toilet, running water, and heat. The layout and practices at ESP were so popular that they were replicated in over 300 other prisons worldwide; by the early 1930s, however, the prison abandoned the solitary confinement system, replacing it with other severe forms of punishment. Operating from 1829–1971, the prison held some of the nation’s most infamous criminals, including Al Capone (before his time at Alcatraz) and Willie Sutton ; today, it’s considered one of the most haunted buildings in the world.

Sing Sing Prison, New York

Home to the first electric chair (‘Old Sparky’), the famous Babe Ruth baseball game , and some of the nation’s most notorious criminals, like Albert Fish and David Berkowitz , Sing Sing is one of America’s most famous prisons. Built by 100 prisoners from another local prison, Sing Sing was one of the most impressive prisons of its kind upon its completion in 1828. Originally modeled after Captain Elam Lynds’ ‘silent system’ – the use of ‘hard work, community activity and silent reflection’ to alter inmate behavior – the prison eventually moved to a more modern approach that used sports to teach discipline, introduced by Warden Lewis Lawes . While the prison still holds more than 1,500 inmates today, plans for turning the prison’s 1939 power plant into a 22,000-square-foot museum are in the making. Visit the museum in the meantime, located in The Ossining Historical Society Museum .

Ohio State Reformatory, Ohio

The Ohio State Reformatory , also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, was constructed between 1886 and 1910 to act as an ‘intermediate penitentiary’, or the half-way point between the Boys Industrial School and the Ohio Penitentiary. In the mid-1800s, the land was originally used as Civil War training grounds; in 1884, plans for the new prison were approved by the state. Designed by Levi T. Scofield, the reformatory featured Victorian and Romanesque architectural styles, believed to encourage inmates to get in touch with their spiritual side. In 1990, the Boyd Consent Decree deemed the prison overcrowded and unsanitary – over 200 inmates had died during its operation – forcing it to close its doors. Today, the prison operates as a museum, and has been included in many famous films like The Shawshank Redemption ( 1994).

West Virginia State Penitentiary, West Virginia

After separating from Virginia at the height of the Civil War, West Virginia lacked many public institutions, including a prison. After repeated denials, the West Virginia Legislature finally purchased the land for the West Virginia State Penitentiary in 1886. Completed using prison labor in 1887, the prison’s design featured stone walls and Gothic architectural elements like turrets and battlements, modeled after a prison in Illinois , and included a hospital and chapel, adding a school and library later on. There were other services, like a carpentry shop and bakery, that provided jobs for inmates, making the prison self-sufficient. Despite its good conditions at the turn of the century, the prison went into a state of decline: there were over 36 homicides, a prison break in 1979, and a riot in 1986. The prison was ordered to shut down by the Supreme Court in 1986; it officially closed its doors in 1995. It was listed as one of the US Department of Justice’s Top Ten Most Violent Correctional Facilities and played host to 94 executions from 1899–1959: 85 by hanging and nine by electric chair. It is also considered one of America’s most haunted prisons.

Old Idaho Penitentiary, Idaho

Old Idaho Penitentiary , once known as the Territorial Prison, was constructed in 1872 as a single-cell house; over the years, the prison expanded to include several buildings, as well as a 17-foot-high wall surrounding the complex. Over 101 years, until it closed in 1973, the Old Idaho Penitentiary received over 13,000 inmates, 215 of them women, and housed infamous convicts like Harry Orchard and Lyda ‘Lady Bluebeard’ Southard . The prison, however, was known for having unsuitable living conditions, and many inmates responded to these conditions with riots in 1971 and 1973. After its closing in 1973, the prison was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Yuma Territorial Prison, Arizona

Yuma Territorial Prison , now a historic state park , opened its doors in 1876, and its first inmates were seven men who were responsible for constructing the prison. During its 33 years of operation, the prison housed 3,069 prisoners, 29 of them women, and despite its infamous reputation, it is said to have had humane conditions – prisoners made hand-crafted items that were sold at Sunday public markets and they received regular medical attention; the prison also had one of the first public libraries in the territory, where prisoners learned how to read and write. No executions took place here, but over 26 inmates escaped and over 100 died (most from tuberculosis). By the turn of the century, the prison was overcrowded, so a new facility was built in Florence, Arizona , and the prison officially ceased operations in 1909.

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Shawshank Redemption tour visit - The Ohio State Reformatory

• United States    
• Ohio (OH)    
• Mansfield    
• Mansfield - Things to Do    
• The Ohio State Reformatory

My family (two parents and three teenagers) thoroughly enjoyed the “History meets Hollywood” tour... read more

Today I went to visit the Ohio State Reformatory. It was a great experience. Our tour guide... read more

Shawshank Redemption tour visit

Visited the Ohio State reformatory and the city of Mansfield in August 2015. A must visit for Shawshank Redemption fans. The prison is quite old and run down however there are a few attractions there such as Brooks' room and the prison entrance that are fascinating. The "Brooks was Here" and "So was Red" carvings are still on the archway in the room. The exercise yard is also a must see. What we enjoyed most was our visit to Mansfield and the country roads to Buxton and the oak. Sadly, the Oak was struck by lightening and is not what it was in the movie. We did sit on the bench where Brook fed the birds and took the road to Buxton. Also drove the road Red took on his bus ride to Fort Hancock Texas. Got some very nice pictures of both areas. If you are a fan of Shawshank Redemption this is a Must See for you.

We visited the reformatory on a Sunday when they do the guided tours in addition to the self guided tours. We paid the extra $5 per person and did the Hollywood Tour. Our tour guide, all of whom are volunteers, was knowledgable and informative. You could tell he truly enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the reformatory and all the different movies and videos that were filmed at the reformatory, the most well known being The Shawshank Redemption. After that, we went back through the reformatory on the self guided tour. Both ways were great and having never been to a correctional facility before, it was quite a sight to see. Very, very interesting. We arrived at 10:30 when the gates opened and had no problem getting on the first tour. I would not recommend for stroller age children. I would have been nervous if I had a little one who wanted to touch and get into everything.

Great tour of the old prison. Be sure to watch Shawshank Redemption and Air Force One before you go. Parts of both movies filmed here.

Went on the ghost tour ! Spooky doesn't cover it got excellent pictures and was scared out of my wits had a wonderful time with friends definitely something fun to do if you can take the scare! Price was reasonable and well worth the time and money I want to go again!

My nephew took us to this old prison because he told us that is HAD to be seen! Because it was connected with the film "Shaw Shank" (Tim Collins and Morgan Freeman) we agreed to go. The main building is a classic old design and I understand that when the State intended to knock it down local people petitioned for it to be saved. Thank heavens they did. The lose of this building would have been a travesty. Although much of the interior of the building is delapidated the sense of feeling within its walls is quite spooky. Hard to imagine that almost 2000 inmates occupied this place in its heyday. Cells, in their starkness, were a sobering sight. Young school children should be encouraged to visit because it could well act as a deterrent to a criminal life!? Much was made of The Shawshank aspect of the place, and to good effect. The solitary cells were also sobering in their impact; would not want to occupy this accommodation for any reason! The Tour was helped by the provision of a sopund recorded box that could be worked at certain numbered locations to explain history and activities in those areas. Very useful. Overall I enjoyed this Tour if at times I felt somewhat apprehensive. Recommended.

This place is amazing the kids had an amazing time.. We played the haunted stories for them before we went which made it even more fun. I really enjoyed the haunted side and the Shawshank Redeption side if you have a chance too see this place very highly recommened.. We went to Niagara falls on this same trip and I think the kids liked this place better.

Uncover Secrets of the Ohio State Reformatory Prison in Mansfield, OH

History and construction, early beginnings and the decision to build, construction delays and architectural vision, opening and early years, notable events and incidents, arthur lewis glattke’s tenure, tragic deaths, closure and preservation efforts, paranormal reputation, ghostly encounters, paranormal investigations, tours and events, history and hollywood tours, ghost tours and hunts, special events, restoration and preservation efforts, ongoing restoration projects, funding and future plans, world records and unique features, iconic movies and shows filmed at ohio state reformatory, the shawshank redemption (1994), other notable productions, frequently asked questions, when did they stop using the ohio state reformatory, what happened at the ohio state penitentiary, how many people were executed at the ohio state reformatory, how much does it cost to go to the ohio state reformatory, where was shawshank shot, where was the ending of shawshank redemption filmed, can you take pictures at the ohio state reformatory, why was the ohio state reformatory closed.

The Ohio State Reformatory , situated in Mansfield, Ohio , is a historical prison with a rich and complex history that fascinates visitors.

Known for its distinctive architecture and role in popular culture, the reformatory has become a sought-after tourist destination with various tours and events available. This article will delve into the history, construction, notable events, incidents, and paranormal reputation of the Ohio State Reformatory.

The origins of the Ohio State Reformatory can be traced back to 1862 when the site served as a training camp for Civil War soldiers.

Named Camp Mordecai Bartley, it honored a Mansfield native who served as Ohio Governor in the 1840s. In 1867, Mansfield was chosen as the location for a new Intermediate Penitentiary, which would later be renamed the Ohio State Reformatory.

The city gathered $10,000 to acquire 30 acres of land for the prison, while the state procured an extra 150 acres of adjacent land for $20,000. The total cost of the facility amounted to $1,327,000.

Construction of the reformatory began in 1886 and was completed in 1910, with delays caused by funding problems. The original architect, Levi T. Scofield, employed a combination of Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Victorian Gothic architectural styles to create a castle-like appearance for the prison.

Scofield believed this unique design would encourage inmates to turn their lives around and reconnect with their spirituality. F.F. Schnitzer, a well-known architect, was entrusted with the construction and completion of the building.

On September 15, 1896, the reformatory welcomed 150 inmates, who were promptly assigned to work on the prison’s sewer system and the 25-foot-high stone wall enclosing the compound. Over time, the reformatory’s mission shifted from housing young, first-time offenders to serving as a more traditional prison.

Arthur Lewis Glattke served as the prison’s Superintendent from 1935 to 1959, and during his tenure, he introduced various reforms to improve the lives of the inmates.

Glattke was initially appointed as a political favor, but by all accounts, he was respected by professionals and inmates. Some of his reforms included piped-in radio music in the cell blocks and improvements in inmate education.

Tragically, Glattke’s wife, Helen Bauer Glattke, died of pneumonia three days after a handgun accidentally discharged in their quarters. Glattke himself died of a heart attack in his office in 1959. Over 200 people died at the Ohio State Reformatory, including two guards killed during escape attempts.

The reformatory continued until December 1990, when a federal court order shut it down because of overpopulation and cruel conditions.

Since then, most of the grounds and support buildings have been demolished, but the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, formed in 1995, has been working to restore the facility and turn it into a museum.

The Ohio State Reformatory has gained a reputation for being haunted, with visitors and ghost hunters reporting numerous paranormal encounters. Ghost sightings, unexplained sounds, and chilling experiences have been documented at the site, attracting paranormal enthusiasts worldwide.

Some most frequently reported paranormal activities include unexplained footsteps, disembodied voices, and apparitions of former inmates and staff.

The reformatory’s reputation has led to numerous paranormal investigations by professional ghost hunters and paranormal research groups. These investigations have documented various forms of evidence, such as electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and video footage, further fueling the belief that the reformatory is haunted.

Visitors to the Ohio State Reformatory can choose from various tours, including History Meets Hollywood, which focuses on the prison’s history and its role in movies and television.

The Beyond the Bars tour delves deeper into the history and allows access to areas not included in the regular tour. In contrast, Inmate tours are guided by a former reformatory inmate, providing a unique perspective on life behind bars.

In addition to history tours, the Ohio State Reformatory offers ghost tours for those interested in exploring the prison’s paranormal reputation.

Public and private ghost hunts cater to casual and experienced ghost hunters, while ghost walks and classes are available for children aged 13 and older. The reformatory hosts’ special ghost hunt events led by famous ghost hunters, celebrities, or historians.

Several events are held at the Ohio State Reformatory throughout the year, such as:

• INKcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, a three-day rock band show in mid-July.
• Blood Prison, a Halloween haunted attraction in September and October.
• The Shawshank Hustle is a 7k race that passes five film locations from The Shawshank Redemption.
• Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, hosted by the Mansfield Playhouse.
• Mansfield Mayhem is a photography event organized by the Professional Photographers of Ohio.
• Pour One Nine Beerfest, featuring brews, wines, live artists, and food.

These events, along with the variety of tours and the reformatory’s fascinating history, continue to attract visitors and ensure that the Ohio State Reformatory remains an essential part of Mansfield’s cultural landscape.

The Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society has been dedicated to restoring the Ohio State Reformatory to its original state. Some of their restoration efforts include debris removal, roof replacement, and the complete restoration of the Warden’s quarters and central guard room between the East and West Cell Blocks.

These restoration projects are funded through donations and tour fees. As part of the ongoing efforts, the society has replaced the windows on the south side of the east cell block and plans to replace all of the original stained glass windows in the building.

The Preservation Society also aims to stabilize the buildings against further deterioration, ensuring that the historical site is preserved for future generations.

The East Cell Block of the Ohio State Reformatory remains the world’s largest free-standing steel cell block, standing six tiers high. This impressive feature and unique architectural elements continue to draw attention and interest from visitors and architectural enthusiasts alike.

The Ohio State Reformatory is perhaps best known for its role in the critically acclaimed film The Shawshank Redemption . The prison’s distinctive architecture and atmosphere were integral to the film’s overall impact, providing the perfect setting for the story of hope and redemption.

The movie, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, has become a classic, and the reformatory has become synonymous with the film, drawing fans worldwide.

• Tango & Cash (1989) : This action-comedy film starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell utilized the reformatory for various prison scenes while the facility was still operating. The movie’s plot revolves around two police officers framed for a crime they did not commit and sent to prison, where they have to work together to clear their names.
• Air Force One (1997) : In this action-thriller film starring Harrison Ford, the Ohio State Reformatory was used as a stand-in for a Russian prison where General Ivan Radek (played by Jürgen Prochnow) is incarcerated. The film follows the story of a hijacked U.S. presidential aircraft and the president’s attempts to save his family and the hostages on board.
• Ghost Hunters (2005) : The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) investigated the reformatory for an episode of the popular TV series Ghost Hunters, which aired on the SciFi Channel. The episode helped to cement the reformatory’s reputation as a haunted location and sparked increased interest in its paranormal history.
• Ghost Adventures (2009) : The Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures also featured the Ohio State Reformatory in Season 3, Episode 4. The show’s paranormal investigators spent the night at the prison, exploring its haunted history and trying to capture evidence of ghostly activity.
• Escape Plan: The Extractors (2019) : This action-thriller film starring Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory in the fall of 2018. The movie follows a security expert and his team as they try to rescue a kidnapped daughter of a tech mogul from a Latvian prison.

These productions, along with The Shawshank Redemption, have helped to make the Ohio State Reformatory a popular filming location and an iconic site in American popular culture.

The Ohio State Reformatory ceased operations as a prison in December 1990. It was closed due to a federal court order citing inhumane conditions for the inmates.

The Ohio State Penitentiary was a separate prison facility in Mansfield, Ohio, operated from 1834 to 1984. It was notorious for its harsh conditions and was the site of a deadly fire in 1930, which killed 322 inmates.

There were no executions carried out at the Ohio State Reformatory, as it was not a facility designed for capital punishment. Executions in Ohio typically took place at the Ohio State Penitentiary.

The Ohio State Reformatory offers various tour options with different pricing. For example, general admission for a self-guided tour is $25 for adults, while guided and specialty tours have varying prices. For the most up-to-date information on pricing and available tours, visit the reformatory’s official website .

The Shawshank Redemption was primarily shot at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. However, additional scenes were filmed in the surrounding area and other locations in Ohio.

The beach scene at the end of The Shawshank Redemption was filmed at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge on the island of Saint Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Yes, photography is allowed at the Ohio State Reformatory. Visitors are encouraged to take pictures and share their experiences at the historic site.

The Ohio State Reformatory was closed due to a federal court order in 1990, citing inhumane living conditions for the inmates. The facility’s deteriorating infrastructure and overcrowded cells contributed to its closure.

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How to Tour the Prison Where "The Shawshank Redemption" Was Filmed

By Zac Thompson

07/14/2022, 7:45 AM

Maybe you'll never make it to the shores of Zihuatanejo like Andy and Red at the end of  The Shawshank Redemption. But hey, you can take a newly launched bus tour of the 1994 prison drama's filming locations in northern Ohio . 

Set in and around the town of Mansfield, located about midway between Columbus and Cleveland, the guided excursion, which debuted last month, takes riders to 10 places that appeared in the beloved movie and onetime TNT mainstay before culminating in a tour of the Ohio State Reformatory , the retired, Romanesque prison that played the fictional Maine lockup onscreen. 

The bus tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays into early September; tickets are $99 per person for the 4.5-hour experience (no kids under age 13 allowed). 

But you don't have to spend all that time and money to see the huge, castle-like prison in person.

Self-guided tours of the cinematic slammer cost $25, or, for $10 more, you can opt for the "Hollywood Meets History" guided tour to get the lowdown on the site's past and see the areas the filmmakers used for the warden's office, the room where Tim Robbins's Andy carries out his money-laundering operation, the supremely depressing hotel room inhabited by aged ex-inmate Brooks (James Whitmore) after he's released, and the yard where prisoners get some fresh air. 

You'll also see lots of cells (keep an eye out for escape tunnels) and learn about the place's real-life history, starting with its 1896 opening as an institution dedicated to rehabilitating the incarcerated and ending with its court-ordered closure in 1990 due to inhumane conditions. 

You don't have to pay for the bus trip to tour Shawshank filming locations beyond the prison, either. 

The self-guided Shawshank Trail has maps and driving directions to noteworthy stops such as the bench in downtown Mansfield where Brooks forlornly feeds pigeons, and the rural spot, near Malabar Farm State Park, where Red (Morgan Freeman) discovers a windfall left for him by Andy. (Unfortunately, the beautiful oak tree featured in the movie is gone, thanks to severe storm damage .)

Go to ShawshankTrail.com to follow the driving route. 

For more information on tours, special events, and ghost-hunting evenings at the Ohio State Reformatory or to purchase tickets, go to MRPS.org . 

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Tour a former hospital, asylum, or prison

These historic buildings have come back to life as hotels, museums, and distilleries

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Created by Roadtrippers - February 11th 2021

H ospitals, asylums, and prisons are not usually places people opt to visit while on vacation. But all over the country these historic, imposing structures are being repurposed as luxury hotels, apartment complexes, or academic campuses. Some have been renovated or restored, while others sit in a state of arrested decay. Guided or audio tours address the often-complicated histories and highlight the people who lived and died within the thick stone walls—and spirits of all kinds are helping to bring life back into these forgotten spaces.

Central State Hospital Museum

Milledgeville, GA

Central State Hospital opened in 1836 as the “State Lunatic, Idiot, and Epileptic Asylum” in Milledgeville, located two hours southeast of Atlanta. Central State developed a notorious reputation, and has sat mostly abandoned for decades. Tours are available through the Milledgeville Visitor Center and held two days per month.

Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary opened in 1896, and at the time of its closing in 2008, it was the oldest operating prison in Tennessee. Brushy reopened as a tourist destination in 2018 and while it has its fair share of macabre tales, visitors will find an entirely different kind of spirit here: The Brushy Mountain Distillery produces 10 unique flavors of moonshine and offers tastings to the public.

Joliet Prison

From 1858 to 2002, the huge complex in Joliet, Illinois—with its 24 buildings and surrounding 25-foot-tall limestone wall—housed thousands of prisoners. Today, guided tours provide a glimpse into the prison’s complicated history. There's something here for everyone, including history buffs, film enthusiasts, and fans of the paranormal. Several movies and TV shows were filmed at the prison, including The Blues Brothers , Saw II , Let’s Go to Prison , and Prison Break .

Historic Cook County Hospital

Half a century ago, Cook County Hospital was treating more than 100,000 patients each year. Its emergency room was one of the busiest in the world and its operating rooms were among the first to try risky, innovative surgical techniques. Today, visitors to Chicago can check into the sprawling old Cook County Hospital thanks to a massive rehabilitation and redevelopment that has transformed the 1914 Beaux-Arts building. The vibrant complex now includes two Hyatt hotels, a food hall featuring Chicago cuisine, and an in-hotel museum that highlights the hospital’s history.

Ohio State Reformatory

Mansfield, OH

The Ohio State Reformatory , located in Mansfield, Ohio, opened in 1896 and housed more than 155,000 inmates during its nearly hundred years in operation. In 1993, just three years after it closed, the prison welcomed inmates once again—fictional residents that populate the big-screen adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption . The prison reopened as a museum in 1995 and proceeds from tours and events help fund grounds maintenance and structural improvements.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, was designed by architect Richard Andrews following the Kirkbride plan and constructed between 1858 and 1881. The largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America opened to patients in 1864. Reaching a peak of 2,400 patients in the 1950s, the facility closed in 1994, and is now open for history and ghost tours.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Richardson-olmstead campus.

The Richardson Olmsted Campus , once home to the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, comprises 13 buildings: Three have been repurposed into a luxury hotel and the remaining 10 are still in a state of suspended ruin, abandoned since 1974. Public tours take visitors through two of the vacant buildings and into a renovated corridor of Hotel Henry. But more than offering a stunning before-and-after comparison, exploring the Richardson Olmsted Campus also provides an intimate glimpse into the complicated history of mental health care in the U.S.

Eastern State Penitentiary is a former prison, operational from 1829 until 1971. The prison was one of the first examples of what would become known as the "Pennsylvania System" of incarceration, a system that encouraged separate confinement of prisoners. Now open as a museum, visitors can take self-guided or guided tours.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Philadelphia, PA

Burlington County Prison

The Burlington County Prison , located in Mount Holly, New Jersey, was designed not only to minimize escapes, but also to serve as a space to reform inmates “through religious instruction, education, and vocational training.” Operating from 1811 until 1965, the Burlington County Prison was the oldest continuously-used prison in the U.S. at the time it closed and it reopened as a museum in 1966.

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Le Monastère des Augustines

For nearly 400 years—long before this site was a destination wellness hotel— Le Monastère des Augustines served as a cloister and hospital for Augustinian sisters. During the first half of the 19th century, the sisters also welcomed approximately 1,400 orphaned or abandoned children into their space. In the 1990s, the sisters decided to create a wellness hotel and museum; Le Monastère des Augustines officially opened in 2015.

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Traverse City, MI

The Northern Michigan Asylum, later called the Traverse City State Hospital, opened in 1885, six decades before psychiatric drugs were first used. It provided mental healthcare for 104 years before it closed in 1989. Over the last two decades, the former hospital has been restored and transformed into luxury apartments, restaurants, and shops. What was the largest employer in Traverse City for 75 years is once again an essential part of the community, and it’s one of the largest historic adaptive reuse developments in the U.S.

When the Old Idaho Penitentiary first opened its doors in 1872, it took in the worst criminals in the West—including women and children as young as 10, simply because female- and juvenile-specific facilities didn’t yet exist. It closed in 1973 and today operates as a museum and National Historic Site. Several buildings have weathered away over time, leaving little more than the structure’s crumbling frame.

Old Idaho Penitentiary

Hot lake springs hotel.

The Hot Lake Springs Hotel in La Grande, Oregon, was featured in a 2001 episode of The Scariest Places on Earth . The Colonial Revival hotel is near the 8-acre Hot Lake, which is endowed by underground springs bubbling up a half-million gallons of water every day. The average temperature of the lake is a toasty 200 degrees Fahrenheit and it's been thought to have healing properties.

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10 Abandoned Prisons Hiding Throughout The U.S. – And They Could Be In Your Backyard

Massachusetts native. Freelance writer and strawberry eater.

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The history of crime and punishment in America is a fascinating and complex narrative. As attitudes towards incarceration and criminality shifted over the years, many historic penitentiaries fell silent. These abandoned prisons in the US are equal parts eerie, heart-breaking, and hauntingly beautiful.

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Have you ever been to any of these abandoned prisons in the US? How about these 19 abandoned cities and towns in the US ? Terrifying!

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Abandoned places in the us.

What are some other abandoned places in the US?

What is it about abandoned places that captures our imaginations so? There’s something wholly unsettling about abandoned places. Ghost towns and old cemeteries, derelict buildings, and forgotten sites; these are places that have been buried in the past — both literally and figuratively. With each passing day, these forsaken locations continue their descent into oblivion, banished to obsolescence. However, there are some that remain relevant; ironically, these sites are now defined as being abandoned. And in the fall, when there’s a nip in the air and dwindling daylight, abandoned places can cause imaginations to run wild — in the very best possible way. Here are several of the most fascinating abandoned places in the US :

• Bombay Beach - Imperial County, California. Bombay Beach was a place of pure paradise; a SoCal mecca that boomed with luxurious hotels and yacht clubs in the early 1900s. The sea and its shores teemed with wildlife, and it truly was a slice of heaven. Then, seemingly overnight, this bustling resort town just up and vanished, leaving many to wonder if, in fact, Bombay Beach had been nothing but a desert mirage all along. By the ’70s, the fish had died, the birds had become ill, and the tourists had disappeared. Today, visitors will find vacant buildings, fish corpses, and an unpleasant smell that seems to permeate the town, making  Bombay Beach one of the most intriguing abandoned places in California... and the US!
• Santa Claus Land - Arizona. When Arizona's Santa Claus Land was founded in 1937, it was meant to be an enchanting year-round destination along Route 66. This unique park provided families a magical holiday experience all year long, with the Man in Red on standby to listen as kids rattled off their Christmas wish lists. But by the 1970s, America's love affair with Route 66 had begun to dwindle, and its roadside attractions closed like dominoes. Today, road trippers can see the remains of Santa Claus Land behind a barbed wire fence, making this one of the creepiest abandoned places in the United States .
• Joyland Amusement Park - Wichita, Kansas. With the exception of prisons (see above!), there is little more unsettling than an abandoned theme park - the crowds, rides, and laughter that once filled the park grounds seem to linger in the air. Joyland Amusement Park was once an epic Midwest destination; open from 1949 until 2004, this park was good, old-fashioned American fun, with wooden roller coasters, bumper cars, and a Ferris wheel. Today, the once-popular destination sits quiet and abandoned, kept company by graffiti-covered attractions, decaying coasters, and sun-bleached ticket booths. Over the years, auctions, fires, and nature disassembled Joyland piece by piece; however, this story has a happy ending. Today, visitors can take a whirl on the original Joyland Carousel, which has been renovated and relocated to the Wichita Botanica Gardens .

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Ohio Farm Bureau hosting Lake County Wine Tour

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Event on march 18 visit five spots, includes dinner at one.

The event begins at 12:30 p.m. at Grand River Cellars , where a bus awaits to take tasters to four other wineries in the Grand River Valley. Tastes served at each winery will be accompanied by a talk about its history, how its grapes are grown and the wines it produces.

The wineries to be visited are Debonne Vineyards , South River Vineyard , Stonegait Winery and Silver Crest Cellars , with a return to Grand River Cellars for dinner at about 5 p.m.

Farm Bureau board member Eric Cotton will talk about how the area’s geography plays into the production of his Silver Crest Cellars wines. That winery, at 4511 Bates Road in Madison, was established in 2018 by partners John Bohinc and Cotton and specializes in dry red wines.

“We’ll tell how the last advance of the glacier formed the Grand River Valley growing region about 12,000 years ago and how we manage the vineyards to take advantage of that,” says Cotton. “We’ll do a chocolate-and-wine tasting.”

Silver Crest grapes grow on land owned by the two families since the 1930s, that land including some warmer vineyard sites, he says.

“That allows us a couple extra weeks of ripening in the fall to coax just a little more color and flavor out of our red varieties.”

One of those varieties is Dornfelder, a dark-and-fruity German wine that’s not yet common in this area, he says.

“It’s related to Pinot Noir, Lemberger/Blaufränkisch, and Chardonnay but has lower tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon,” he says.

It only became popular in Germany 20 years ago but is now one of the most common grapes planted in that country.

“It’s as winter-hardy as the other European varieties we grow here, and it is one of the earliest ripening varieties we grow,” he says. “I think it is a great grape for our area.”

After tasting visits to the wineries, the Farm Bureau tour will return to Grand River Cellars for a chicken-and-ribs dinner. Those attending may wish to stay for the live entertainment that will follow.

The cost is $120 per person for those not members of the Farm Bureau. Members get a discounted rate. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Payment is required by May 12 to hold seats, which are limited. To register, call the Farm Bureau at 440-426-2195 or visit bit.ly/2024LakeWineTour .

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Ohio pain management physician sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for opioid distribution

O HIO — An Ohio physician was sentenced on Friday to seven years in prison for unlawfully distributing opioids from his clinic, according to the U.S. Department of Justic e.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Thomas Romano, 74, of Wheeling, West Virginia, owned and operated a self-named pain management clinic in Martins Ferry, Ohio, to which individuals traveled hundreds of miles to obtain prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances.

Officials say, the prescriptions Romano issued for opioids and other controlled substances greatly exceeded recommended dosages and were in dangerous, life-threatening combinations that fueled the addiction of the individuals to whom he prescribed.

According to officials, between October 2014 and September 2019, Romano prescribed over 137,000 pills, including opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants, to nine individuals.

A federal jury  convicted  Romano in September 2023 of 24 counts of unlawfully distributing controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.  

Principal Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio; Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Field Division; Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

The DEA, FBI, HHS-OIG, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, and Ohio Board of Pharmacy investigated this case.

Trial Attorneys Devon Helfmeyer and Danielle Sakowski and Counsel Alexis Gregorian of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.

2 Ohio men connected to Cleveland-area postal key theft sentenced to prison

• Updated: May. 07, 2024, 12:21 a.m. |
• Published: May. 07, 2024, 12:05 a.m.
• Cliff Pinckard, cleveland.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two men convicted for their roles in the armed robberies of postal carriers in the Columbus area and also connected to a theft of a postal key in Northeast Ohio have been sentenced by a federal judge to multiple years in prison.

Cody “Drose” Beasley, 23, of Columbus, was sentenced Monday to more than six years in prison, while Kenan “Swerv” Lay, 21, also of Columbus, was sentenced on April 19 to 5½ years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says court documents show Lay provided the 9mm handgun used in the armed robbery of an elderly female postal worker on May 11, 2023, at a post office in Columbus. The postal worker was pistol-whipped during the robbery.

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• Buckeyes In the NFL

WATCH: Ohio State Buckeyes Ex C.J. Stroud Didn't Impress Japanese Baseball Fans

Timm hamm | 18 hours ago.

• Houston Texans

Former Ohio State Buckeyes and current Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is currently in Japan as part of Gridiron Imports' 2024 Asia Tour.

On Saturday, Stroud and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons appeared at a Tokyo Giants game to throw out the first pitch.

Former MLB pitcher Dallas Braden posted the video on X, with the quote, "This is why baseball is different than ANY other sport. Both Micah Parsons & CJ Stroud are FREAK athletes. Watching them throw a baseball would never tell you that."

This is why baseball is different than ANY other sport. Both Micah Parsons & CJ Stroud are FREAK athletes. Watching them throw a baseball would never tell you that. pic.twitter.com/g4wd6r70j3 — Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) May 4, 2024

Stroud threw first and just missed to the left side of home plate. Parsons went next and bounced the pitch about a foot in front of home plate with an even less impressive throw.

The former Buckeyes quarterback is impressive on the football field when throwing a football, but he seemed uncomfortable with a baseball in his hand.

Parsons is a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the more athletic linebackers and pass rushers in the game, but that elite athleticism didn't translate to the pitcher's mound. Stroud's throwing motion looked anything but natural.

Over three seasons in Columbus , Stroud completed 575 passes for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions.

Last season, as a rookie with the Texans, the 22-year-old won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl while completing 319 passes for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns to just five interceptions.

Stroud led Houston to an unlikely playoff appearance and the team's first postseason win since 2019.

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2 Columbus men sentenced to prison for their roles in armed robberies of postal carriers

Two Columbus men are the latest to have been sentenced in U.S. District Court for being accomplices in the armed robberies of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers.

Cody N. Beasley, 23, also known as "Drose," was sentenced Monday to six years and three months in prison, while Kenan M. Lay, 21, also known as "Swerv," was sentenced April 19 to 5½ years, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio in Columbus.

Federal prosecutors stated in court documents that on May 11, 2023, Lay provided a handgun to Cameron Newton, of Westerville, and Thierno Bah, of Columbus, which the pair used to rob and pistol whip an elderly female postal worker at a post office on West Broad Street. Newton paid Lay $100 to use his gun for the crime, and updated Lay throughout the progress of the robbery, according to court records.

On April 4, 2023, Beasley orchestrated and paid $500 to Jama and May to rob another Postal Service letter carrier at gunpoint while the worker was sitting in his work vehicle on Sawmill Road in Dublin, prosecutors said.

Beasley also admitted to stealing a postal "arrow" or universal master key to blue USPS street mailboxes in March 2023 while in the Cleveland area. Federal prosecutors say thieves want the arrow keys so they can steal mail, including checks and money orders.

Beasley and another co-conspirator were pulled over in Parma Heights in Cuyahoga County and fled from police. Police officers eventually caught and detained the two men. A search of their vehicle turned up a black trash bag filled with mail. Through a search of their cellphones, officers also discovered pictures of stolen checks and research of more than three dozen post offices and USPS collection boxes in Cleveland, prosecutors said.

While Beasley and his co-defendant were in jail together, prosecutors said they began plotting for the postal robbery in Dublin.

Others charged in postal carrier robberies since 2022

Lay and Beasley are among the latest who have been charged and/or sentenced to prison in for such robberies of USPS carriers  in central Ohio in the past few years. Among others:

• Brandon J. Campbell, 23, of Columbus , was sentenced to more than six years in prison in August 2022 for robbing two postal carriers of arrow keys at gunpoint in September 2021, one at Vistas at Rocky Fork Apartment Complex in Gahanna and the other near 4500 Hemingway Court in Columbus.
• Theirno S. Bah, 20, of Columbus , has admitted to robbing postal carriers on four different occasions from December 2022 to May 2023. His co-defendant, Cameron D. Newton, 20, of Westerville, was also part of the plots and regularly acted as a lookout while Bah committed the armed robberies. Their cases remain pending.
• In January, Anthony Williams, of Columbus, was arrested in Pittsburgh after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges in connection with the armed robberies of two U.S. Postal Service carriers in 2022 in the Columbus area. Prosecutors allege that Williams threatened a USPS mail carrier with a gun to get an arrow key on Nov. 9, 2022, on Michigan Avenue in Columbus.

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