Coursera Spring Sale
40% Off Coursera Plus Annual!
Grab it
This 15-minute documentary video from IT'S HISTORY explores the dark history of the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, which gained fame as the filming location for "The Shawshank Redemption." Discover how this once-progressive facility, designed to rehabilitate young offenders with its impressive gothic architecture, gradually devolved into a symbol of overcrowding, violence, and alleged paranormal activity before closing in 1990. Learn about the reformatory's journey from its 19th-century origins through the scandals that marked its final years, and how it transformed into both a popular tourist destination and a site considered among America's most haunted places. Hosted by Ryan Socash, this episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of prison history, cinema, and the paranormal, revealing the true story behind the infamous institution that was far more troubling than its Hollywood portrayal.
