How to Stay Overnight at the Ohio State Reformatory for a Ghost Hunt

The Ohio State Reformatory, also known as Mansfield Reformatory, was built in 1834 as the second penitentiary in Ohio. In 1990, the doors of the prison closed for good. Because of the history surrounding the prison, it has gained a great deal of popularity among ghost hunters, being featured on such shows as the Travel Channel's "Scariest Places on Earth" and Fox Family's "Scariest Places on Earth." Many claim to feel ghostly presences in the prison. Consider going on an overnight ghost tour to see for yourself.

Check the Ohio State Reformatory calendar on their website in order to determine which dates are available for private ghost hunts. Figure out which date you would like to spend the night in the prison. Keep in mind that during the first month of September through the end of October, the prison is not open to private ghost hunts due to the hosting of the Haunted Prison attraction.

Send an email to [email protected] stating that you would like to schedule a private ghost hunt and provide the date that you would like to stay and the number of participants. As of October 2010, if you are staying on a Friday or Saturday, the cost is $1,125 for 30 people or less. For more than 30 participants, the price is $75 per person. If you are staying between Sunday and Thursday, the cost is $1,125 for 15 people or less and $75 for more than 15 people. A maximum of 100 people are allowed.

Wait for a response to your email. After approval for that date, print off the license agreements for every individual that will be participating in the ghost hunt. Everyone must fill out and sign the license agreement.

Gather all signed license agreements and a check or money order of $500 made out to M.R.P.S as a non-refundable deposit. Send the papers to your contact person (they will send you the address in the email response). The papers and deposit must be received together no more than two weeks after scheduling your ghost hunt.

Send a check or money order with the remaining balance (the amount for the ghost hunt) made out to M.R.P.S to your contact person two weeks before your ghost hunt date (or earlier). Confirm with your contact person that the money was received.

Arrive at the prison by 7 p.m. on the date of your ghost hunt. Check-in is at 7 p.m. and the gates will be closed if you do not arrive on time. At 8 p.m., you will be given a guided tour through the prison for an hour and a half. After the tour, the lights will be turned off and the you will be on your own to walk around the prison and record any paranormal phenomena

Leave the prison at 5 a.m. Check-out is 5 a.m. so all participants must leave the prison at this time.