First-Time Investigators
If you are a first-time investigator, we offer personal guidance to help you get started!
Veteran Ghost Hunters
For the more veteran ghost hunter, we provide private paranormal investigation experiences.
Public Ghost Hunts | For ages 18+
OSR offers a unique collaboration of ghost hunting skill levels through public hunts. Based on your personal skill level with investigating the paranormal, our guides will split participants into three groups. (Equipment rentals suspended temporarily.)
For Beginners:
Our ghostly guides will show you how to test the limits of paranormal investigating, including interaction with entities or spirits, documenting encounters, and basic use of ghost hunting equipment as we take you on a tour of the decommissioned prison.
For Intermediate:
Interested investigators are welcome to join a knowledgeable tour guide on a 1-hour tour of the facility to better understand the footprint of the building and to hear the stories of the most documented hot-spots.
For Advance Repeat Visitors:
Begin your investigation in areas that are known for their paranormal activity.
Evening Schedule:
- Arrive between 6 p.m and 6:45 p.m. to complete registration. The Museum Store/Gift Shop will only be open during that time.
- Tours depart at 7:10 p.m.
- Pizza, soda, coffee, and hot chocolate will be available throughout the evening
- Independent investigating will go until 3 a.m.
- OSR staff will be available all evening for assistance
Facility Highlights
- 250,000 square feet of facility to investigate
- Walk the range on the sixth tier of the world's largest free-standing cell block
- sit in the warden's bedroom where his wife sustained a mortal gunshot wound
- West Cell Block, Solitary Confinement, Chapel, and Administration
Ghost Hunts are offered on select Fridays and Saturdays during the year. Participants must be 18 years or older.
*Guests attending a Ghost Hunt MUST be 18 years old. Guests 18 and older MUST bring a valid photo ID. Guests who fail to provide photo ID or proof of age may be denied entry.
Private Paranormal Investigation | For ages 18+
Groups and professional ghost hunters will enjoy the exclusivity of a private event.
Evening Schedule
- Check-in is at 6 p.m.
- OSR staff will review rules and regulations for the hunt
- Following introduction, staff will lead you on a 1-hour guided tour
- After the tour, the lights will be turned off
- Independent investigation runs until 3 a.m.
- Pizza will be served approximately at 9 p.m.
- Soft drinks, water, coffee and hot cocoa will be served throughout the night.
- The Museum Store will be open only by request
Cost and Payment Details
- Friday and Saturday: $3,000 for 30 people or less. Cost is $100/person for more than 30 people. Maximum of 100 people.
- Sunday through Thursday: $1,500 for 15 people or less. Cost is $100/person for more than 15 people. Maximum of 100 people.
- A non-refundable deposit of $500 must be made 2 weeks after placing your hunt on the calendar. The balance due must be received at least 2 weeks prior to your hunt, along with all license agreements/waivers.
- Payments are to be submitted by the ORGANIZER ONLY, in (1) one complete payment; multiple forms of payment will not be accepted. We currently accept check, money order, or credit card payments. DO NOT SEND CASH. The ORGANIZER must also collect and submit ALL license agreements as one complete package. Individually submitted agreements will not be accepted.
Rules and regulations for public hunts apply to private hunts. Participants must be 18 years or older. No private paranormal investigations will be scheduled September - Mid-November. Further questions and inquiries can be addressed to Hallie Statham-Kitzler via email (hallie@mrps.org).
Book a Private Paranormal Investigation
Ghost Walks | For ages 13+
Let our guides fill you with stories of hauntings and horror as they lead you through the prison in the dark.
- 2-hour guided tour
- Choose between 8-10 p.m. or 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.*
* Registration will begin one hour before the tour departs
*Guests attending a Ghost Walk MUST be at least 13 years old. Guests 18 and older MUST bring a valid photo ID. Guests 13-17 years old MUST provide a photo ID or proof of age, like a birth certificate (this can be scanned or photographed) or a grade card. Guests who fail to provide photo ID or proof of age may be denied entry.
Ghost Hunt Classes | For ages 13+
Interested in understanding the field of paranormal investigating better? Try various forms of ghost hunting equipment while professional investigators instruct you on the world and culture of ghost hunting.
2-Part Course in Paranormal Investigation
- Acclaimed paranormal investigator, Sherri Brake will conduct a two-hour seminar in the light of day on the basics of ghost hunting
- In the evening, Sherri will host a private ghost hunt for all participants
Cost: $115
Event Schedule:
- Choose Seminar at 1 p.m. or 4 p.m.
- Ghost Hunt begins for both seminar groups at 8 p.m.
What to Expect:
- Help to understand the paranormal field and its vocabulary
- Learn a basic history of OSR from the Civil War era thru the present
- Develop and sharpen your investigating and documentation skills
- Learn types and levels of paranormal activity including those at OSR
- Communication with the entities, learn Electronic Voice Phenomena and how to capture it best
- How to capture physical evidence through photos & videos of activity
- Learn to take the best paranormal photograph photos
- Learn to investigate using paranormal protocol
- Hands-on use of investigating equipment
About Sherri Brake:
Sherri Brake is a researcher and investigator of the paranormal garnering over 25 years of documented experience. She is the owner/operator of Haunted Heartland Tours and has led thousands of souls on overnight excursions in prisons, asylums, and haunted locations for the last 15 years. Her classes on Ghost Hunting blend science with history and the paranormal and are very popular. When not leading haunted history tours in seven states, she travels with her special event tours to Ireland & Scotland. She has authored seven books including The Haunted History of the Ohio State Reformatory and composes monthly columns on haunted history which are featured in various magazines. Along with writing about the paranormal, Sherri is also a public speaker and has appeared in newspaper, television and on hundreds of radios shows on the subject. Her unique events have given her the USA Today ranking of #5 Best Ghost Tour in America.
For more information on our paranormal programs, please email Hallie Statham-Kitzler: hallie@mrps.org.
The Ohio State Reformatory
100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905
Phone: (419) 522-2644 • Email: info@mrps.org
