Discover The Ohio State Reformatory
There’s a tour to match your passions, no matter what brings you here. Explore the OSR’s 250,000 square feet through self-guided tours on your own or with an audio wand.
Tickets & Admission Prices
| TICKETS | SELF-GUIDED | GUIDED |
| Adult (18 & up) | $25 | $35 |
| Students (ages 7-17) | $23 | $33 |
| Seniors (ages 55+) | $23 | $33 |
| College ID/Military | $23 | $33 |
| Youth (6 and under) | Free | N/A |
| Audio | $5 | N/A |
Guided Tours
Choose from one (or more!) of the guided tours below to learn about the rich history of the reformatory from a knowledgeable tour guide. All guided tours include a self-guided tour of the building as well!
Tour Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours
Starting at $500 per group of up to 10 guests.
Requires a 2-week advance notice to book.
October-March private guided tours can be scheduled at 11:30AM or 2:30PM, Thursday-Sunday.
April-September private guided tours can be scheduled at 11:30AM or 2:30PM, Monday-Friday. We do not offer private guided tours on the weekends during our summer months.
Call or email Derek Wilson to schedule and for more information! (419) 522-2644 ext. 117 or derek@mrps.org.
Hollywood Meets History Tour
Our most well-rounded and comprehensive tour. We recommend this tour for our first-time guests! Explore the reformatory’s historical prison timeline alongside the equally iconic, fictional story of Andy Dufresne from the 1994 film, The Shawshank Redemption. Tour also includes information on the architecture, warden’s living quarters, and other films and music videos filmed onsite.
Note: This is our only guided tour that is "family friendly" with no enforced age limit. However, we do not allow strollers, carts, or wagons of any kind on our guided tours. You must purchase a student ticket for any child taking a guided tour. We do not offer free guided tours to children 6 and under. We also strongly recommend that all children be at least 42" tall. Certain areas of the tour route could be dangerous for children smaller than 42". Children must not be unattended at any point in time. All online ticket purchases are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, we are happy to do a date change, based upon tour availability.
Beyond the Bars Tour
Access the areas of the Reformatory not open to the general public. The tour includes the West Attic, stories of inmate punishment, the sub-basement, the "Jesus Room", the guard tower if weather permits, and the inner workings of The Ohio State Reformatory.
Note: Ages 8+. This tour includes extensive stair climbing, heights, curved/narrow stairways, and temperature fluctuations. This tour route is not accessible for those with wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Due to the physical nature of this tour and the mature topics discussed all participants must be at least 8 years old. All online ticket purchases are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, we are happy to do a date change, based upon tour availability.
Old Sparky: Electric Chair History and Ohio Executions
Available on Select Dates
Learn more about the electric chair's development, history, and use, along with personal stories of some of the folks sentenced to death. This is not a political discussion focused on capital punishment's morality, but simply an educational, fact-based presentation. The tour is approximately 1.5 hours long, beginning with a sit-down PowerPoint presentation and Q&A session, followed by a brief, guided, walking tour. Guests will get to visit the actual Ohio electric chair.
Note: Ages 13+ due to sensitive subject matter. All online ticket purchases are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, we are happy to do a date change, based upon tour availability.
Shawshank Bus Tour
The Shawshank Bus Tour is returning with dates available starting May 13th, 2023. Tickets available now!
Tour the Shawshank Trail in style! Visit local filming sites 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. The Shawshank Bus Tour will be available to the public on select weekend days spring-fall and is also available for private group bookings during the week. If you are interested in booking the bus for a private group, please reach out to Ashleigh Ramey at ashleigh@mrps.org
Note: Children under the age of 13 are not permitted on the Shawshank Bus Tour. Please be advised that this tour is rain or shine. The minimum number of guests is 4 and the maximum is 12. The total tour duration is 4.5 hours. All online ticket purchases are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, we are happy to do a date change, based upon tour availability.Dates, Discounts, and Tour Information
STUDENT, SENIOR, AND MILITARY DISCOUNTS
A $2.00 discount will be given to any sort of student, Senior Citizens 55 or older, and any person in the Military or a Military Veteran. Children 6 & under receive free self-guided tours. **Discount is valid only on full-price tickets. Discount does not apply to seasonal (Sept-Nov) pricing.
SAME DAY DISCOUNT
We offer a same day discount for multiple tours. A second tour on the same day is only $15 per person! Admission to our guided tour also includes access to the self-guided tour route.
Members of the Preservation Society receive a discount on admission.
*Adjusted tours only from Labor Day through November 17th. Due to Halloween, several areas of the building will be unavailable for viewing, including solitary confinement, the bullpen, the ground level of the cell blocks, and the showers. ($6 discount on self-guided tours during this time, guided tours are still full price and are still 90 minutes long and stop by different areas).
TOUR SEASON:
Spring, Summer, Fall*, Winter
April 1st - October 31st
11AM - 4PM
Open: 7 Days a Week
November 1st - March 31st
11AM - 4PM
Open: Thursday - Sunday
CLOSED FOR TOURS
No tours will be offered on the following dates in 2023: April 9th, May 29th, July 4th, July 10th - 18th, September 4th, November 23rd, and December 20th - January 3rd. *Subject to change*
COMING SOON // Virtual Guided Tours
Virtual Guided Tours
COMING SOON
Virtually guided tours will be offered and available for purchase through Amazon! You'll be able to experience The Ohio State Reformatory from the comfort of your home but with a guide walking you virtually through the experience so you don't miss a thing!
Sign up below to be notified when this special tour offering becomes available!
The Ohio State Reformatory
100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905
Phone: (419) 522-2644 • Email: info@mrps.org
