Ohio State Reformatory

Images of the historic Ohio State Reformatory (OSR), built in the Romanesque style of architecture in stages between 1886 and 1910 in Mansfield, Ohio. The prison closed in 1990, the result of a federal court order. Its inmates filed a class action lawsuit citing overcrowding and inhumane conditions.

I first visited the prison in September 1994, armed with a Nikon F3 film camera loaded with Fuji Velvia slide film. I had the damp, cavernous place all to myself. It was quite eerie, and sad. The year before, crew and cast from The Shawshank Redemption occupied the main building. I recall tripping over props left in hallways and looking at wallet-sized images of past inmates scattered on the floor. Perhaps those were movie props too. I was an extra in the film, a ‘pedestrian.’ Nothing major, but still a cool experience.

The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

A view of an inmate’s cell on the fifth level of the West Cell Block at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Inside an inmate’s cell the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

The West Cell Block at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. The block and its cells were made entirely of steel, a revalation for the time. Inmates could stand on their toilets, speak into the vent, top, and hold conversations up and down the cell block. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Inside an inmate’s cell at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio in September 1994. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Sound recording at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

A checked-off month of May calendar as seen in an inmate’s cell at the Ohio State Reformatory in September 1994. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

The lowest level of the West Cell Block at Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

A useless water fountain at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Various levels and patterns of wallpaper can be seen peeling off the walls inside the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio in September 1994. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Outside the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Prison cemetery at the Ohio State Reformatory. September, 1994. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

A numbered-only grave marker at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR), also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, is a historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Inside a dark graffiti-filled room at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. This room was a holding space for inmates that were soon to be released. They signed their names, oftten times with their inmate numbers dates of incarceration. Take note of the biplace drawn on the wall. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Inside the reverberant chapel at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

A spiral staircase attached to a multi-story cell block at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, February 6, 2017. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Also at that time, I was handed a stack of glass plate negatives by someone who, if memory serves, worked at the Ohio State Reformatory as a guard years prior. He offered to sell them to me for $100, which was way too much money for me back then. Still, he allowed me copy them. They are presented below.

A vintage view of the front entrance at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

Calisthenics at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

A vintage view of the parade ground and baseball diamond at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

A cellblock guard at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

An inmate’s cell at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

A vintage view of the guardshack at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

Cellblocks at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

Inmates at their sewing machines at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

Pigs are fed at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

Vintage photograph of an office at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

A vintage view of the infirmary at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

The dining hall at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

A classroom at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

Vintage photograph of inmates making brooms at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

A classroom at the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, it is an historic prison located in Mansfield, Ohio in the United States.

In February 2017, I returned to the prison, this time to record the sound of the main building, including its cell block doors. Have a look and listen here.