Ohio State Reformatory | Shawshank Prison

It’s hard to believe that this old abandoned prison built between 1886 and 1910 was in operation until 1990 when the court system judged it unfit and ordered it closed for good.

Prisoners had launched a class action suit citing overcrowding and inhumane conditions and the Federal Court system agreed.

“Redemption” by Edward Fielding – purchase prints here – https://edward-fielding.pixels.com/art/ohio+state

Prisoners were stacked, cell upon cell in the East Cell Block six high and to this day it remains the largest free-standing steel cell block in the world.

Over 200 prisoners died at the Ohio State Reformatory, including two guards who were killed during escape attempts.

At least one inmate managed to hang himself, another set himself on fire, once two men left too long in a single tomb-like cell, only one walked out, leaving his cellmate’s body behind, stuffed beneath a bunk.

In July 1948, when the Reformatory’s farm boss, his wife, and daughter were kidnapped and shot to death by two parolees bent on revenge. A six-state manhunt for the so-called mad-dog killers ended in a shootout that left Robert Daniels of Columbus in custody and his partner, James West dead. “I’ll get the Chair” Daniels told police as he signed the confession. And on January 3rd, 1949, he did

Fine art photographs by Edward Fielding – https://edward-fielding.pixels.com/featured/behind-the-prison-cells-edward-fielding.html

Movie fans might recognize Ohio State Reformatory facility as Shawshank Prison. the 1994 film “The Shawshank Redemption” was filmed here and in the surrounding Mansfield area just four years after the facility was closed.

“They Send You Here For Life, And That’s Exactly What They Take.”
Line from the shawshank redemption

At least part of 30 more movies, music videos and TV shows have used this old prison as a shooting location both while still in use and after it was closed down.

To this day there is an active prison facility next door to the Ohio State Reformatory.