Case #130911OSR

 

 

 

November 13, 2009 

 

 

Case No.:               130911OSR

Case Name:              Mansfield, WI

Case Type:              Commercial

Case Class:             Public

Client/Business:        Ohio State Reformatory

Location:               100 Reformatory Road

                        Mansfield, OH 44905

                        (419) 522-2644

Date:                   November 13, 2009

Time:                   14:00 – 06:15

 

Weather Conditions:

ü      Outdoor Temperature:  48ºF

ü      Indoor Temperature:   56ºF

ü      Dew Point:            34ºF

ü      Relative Humidity:    61%

ü      Wind Speed:           Calm

ü      Overhead:             Clear

         

 

Investigators:         

Jay, Allen, Jackie, Amy & (Bob Jensen of Ghostland Society)

 

Details: 

         

WPI and Ghostland Society team-up for an out-of-state investigation in Mansfield, OH to investigate the infamous Ohio State Reformatory.  We were not requested to investigate, rather this was a ghost tour that the Ohio State Reformatory Preservation offers to the public during the spring, summer & fall months.

 

 

History:

 

Stone walls and iron bars they're still here, but what of the humanity, if you can call it that, of the old Ohio State Reformatory at Mansfield. What of the 154,000 inmates who passed through it's gates in it's 94 years as a working prison. Not to mention their keepers, the Wardens, and the Guards, the gravediggers, and the rest, what of them remains? As it turns out, more than you might think. No matter what their crime, some sent to Mansfield have never left. They rest unclaimed in a cheerless graveyard just outside the fence. 215 numbered markers laid out row on row. Most were victims of disease, influenza, tuberculosis, but some died of less natural causes; From the violence, that is all to common inside any prison and was far from unknown in this one. And the worst of it occurred well away from the main cell block with their rows of cages stacked tier on tier, and inmates, one or two to a cell. There were too many eyes, too many witnesses here, no the worst of it was reserved for a far lonelier place, deep beneath the prison ground. A place called local control, or solitary, by some, known by everyone else as the hole. Near total isolation can crack all but the toughest of cons, but none was so alone that there wasn't room for death. 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. Could there be other similar surprises? Or words left over from the days before the prison closed? Even when they're empty, some swear something walks these halls. It isn't enough for contemporary visitors not to wonder off alone while sight seeing, what‘s become one of Mansfield's more popular tourist attractions. But the bloodiest single incident in the old prison's history occurred outside it's walls. 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. A year later in 1950 disaster struck again. This time, here in the living quarters of the Warden himself. The Warden's wife, removing a jewelry box from a closet shelf dislodged a pistol from it's hiding place. When it hit the floor, the gun went off inflicting a fatal wound. And within the decade, even more bad luck. The Warden, hard at work in his office, suffered a heart attack and died. All this was nearly 40 years ago and more, how then to explain the voices shaken tour guides swear they hear today? Man and woman talking, to faint to understand, to persistent to ignore and chilling to listeners who think they're alone, only to find themselves apparently eavesdropping on the warden and his wife locked forever in an endless conversation from beyond the grave.

 

A few of the most famous movies filmed at the reformatory include “The Shawshank Redemption,” ”Airforce One,” and ”Tango and Cash.” Visitors to the Mansfield Reformatory can still see some of the props left behind from the different movies.

 

 

 

 

Claims:

 

Stone walls and iron bars they're still here, but what of the humanity, if you can call it that, of the old Ohio State Reformatory at Mansfield. What of the 154,000 inmates who passed through it's gates in it's 94 years as a working prison. Not to mention their keepers, the Wardens, and the Guards, the gravediggers, and the rest, what of them remains? As it turns out, more than you might think. No matter what their crime, some sent to Mansfield have never left. They rest unclaimed in a cheerless graveyard just outside the fence. 215 numbered markers laid out row on row. Most were victims of disease, influenza, tuberculosis, but some died of less natural causes; From the violence, that is all to common inside any prison and was far from unknown in this one. And the worst of it occurred well away from the main cell block with their rows of cages stacked tier on tier, and inmates, one or two to a cell. There were too many eyes, too many witnesses here, no the worst of it was reserved for a far lonelier place, deep beneath the prison ground. A place called local control, or solitary, by some, known by everyone else as the hole. Near total isolation can crack all but the toughest of cons, but none was so alone that there wasn't room for death. 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. Could there be other similar surprises? Or words left over from the days before the prison closed? Even when they're empty, some swear something walks these halls. It isn't enough for contemporary visitors not to wonder off alone while sight seeing, what‘s become one of Mansfield's more popular tourist attractions. But the bloodiest single incident in the old prison's history occurred outside it's walls. 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. A year later in 1950 disaster struck again. This time, here in the living quarters of the Warden himself. The Warden's wife, removing a jewelry box from a closet shelf dislodged a pistol from it's hiding place. When it hit the floor, the gun went off inflicting a fatal wound. And within the decade, even more bad luck. The Warden, hard at work in his office, suffered a heart attack and died. All this was nearly 40 years ago and more, how then to explain the voices shaken tour guides swear they hear today? Man and woman talking, to faint to understand, to persistent to ignore and chilling to listeners who think they're alone, only to find themselves apparently eavesdropping on the warden and his wife locked forever in an endless conversation from beyond the grave.

 

 

Investigation:

 

WPI established two teams of two throughout the investigation. Teams did not rotate as we stayed with the original two sets throughout the investigation.  We did take hour shifts each time for a total of 6 shifts. Equipment responsibilities and set-up were as follows:

 

  • One static night vision camera in solitary confinement.
  • One static night vision camera on 2nd tier West Cell Block.
  • One static night vision camera on 5th tier East Cell Block.
  • One static night vision camera in the infirmary on the 6th floor.
  • DVR (Digital Video Recorder) set-up in the bull pen.
  • Mel-Meter was used for base line readings and throughout the investigation.
  • Each roaming team was responsible for at least one digital voice recorder. One was placed static in the wardens quarters.
  • One roaming night vision camcorder rotated between the teams to cover all aspects of the property.
  • Each team also used digital cameras for taking pictures.
  • Other items that the team used included the K-II meter, flashlights and/or headlamps.

 

Findings:

 

WPI did not capture any photographs or video evidence.  We did however record (3) separate EVPs.  Read the descriptions and hear the EVPs by navigating to the E.V.P. Evidence tab by clicking here.

 

 

Paranormal Experiences:

 

JAY BACHOCHIN

“During the initial walk-thru tour on the West Cell Block I had a :10 minute overwhelming feeling of "sadness & depression".  During these :10 minutes I seriously didn't care if I was there or not and just wanted to be home.  Once we all were downstairs in the meeting area ....that feeling faded as fast it came over me and was so excited to be there.”

 

“While on East Cell Block on the 2nd tier; Allen was trailing about 4 feet behind me while he was video recording.  He said, "Hey Jay, stop a minute".  Right when he said that we stopped and "both" heard a set of trailing footsteps. It sounded like the footsteps were scuffling directly behind us.”

 

"On the 2nd level of Solitaire Confinement Allen and I both heard the sounds of key rattling from inbetween us, not coming from another room or hallway.”

 

 

ALLEN DUNSKI, JR.

“During set-up in the infirmary, Jay and I were working on the IR Camera with only our headlamps on.  While I turned to look into the room of where the camera should be positioned, I turned back to the camera and saw a clean shaven bald headed apparition within inches of my face.”

 

“Jackie and I were on the sixth tier bridge area that connected the tier to the main building. I was pulling up video cord and had the cord pulled out of my hand twice, when nobody was down below. Everybody was in the meeting area where we all stored our equipment.”

 

“This happened quite a few times throughout the night. I kept getting tapped on the back of the head by something.”

 

“I heard the sound of old prison guard keys jingling.”

 

“I watched a black shadow follow me and Jay on the 2nd tier and when we stopped, we heard a few more extra footsteps as if it was following us.”

 

 

AMY OETTEL

“On the second floor of the East Cell Block, I was up there with Jay during set-up so we could adjust the camera. I was taking a picture of the long hallway, turned to leave to follow Jay back downstairs when I felt a rapid tapping on my left shoulder, the tapping to me felt like a "please don't go". 

 

“While up in the TB ward I made the comment that I was disappointed that whom ever was up there couldn't show themselves or do anything to prove they were there.  Right after I said that, something touched my hand, which was not Jackie.  I now understand why people say it feels like a web, because that's how it felt to me”. 

 

I did not like the Infirmary for it made me feel uncomfortable.  While Jackie and I were walking we would hear an extra pair of footsteps”.

 

 

JACKIE LATINO

“There was the time I was helping Al set up that camera on the 2nd floor of the cell block and the wire was pulled out of his hand twice.” 

 

“When I was setting up the wires on the camera in the solitary area, I keep hearing footsteps going up the stairs and there was no one there but me.” 

 

“A few times during the night I heard what sounded like a breath really loud.” 

 

Conclusion:

 

WPI feels that with the evidence captured and the personal paranormal experiences we shared, we deem The Ohio State Reformatory Haunted.  We are looking forward to continuing our research for another trip back to Mansfield, OH.