Mansfield Reformatory Paranormal Investigation

Many years ago I went on my very first paranormal investigation with one of the local paranormal groups. WNY Paranormal founded by Dwayne Claud. We drove to Mansfield, Ohio to go on one of their night hunts of the Mansfield Reformatory. As soon as you pull onto the grounds through the front gates you can feel the spirit energy that still lingers on the grounds.

One of the lead investigators of the now long gone group WNY Paranormal and I went on a ghost walk through the prison during the evening with the lights on in the prison. Sarah had been there before, while this was my first time. There is absolutely no running water in the building. During the filming of Shawshank Redemption, the crew had to pull fire trucks onto the lawn and push water into the shower heads through a hose. The week before I was there the Ghost Hunter’s were there filming an episode of TAPS. Our tour guide made a strong point of telling us that the TAPS crew read from scripts, which I’m sure everyone knew the show is scripted.

Once the lights went out it was a bit weird for me seeing as how I was in a haunted prison in the pitch black darkness. We began to hear faint screams and see shadows moving in the well.. darkness! In the shower room we sat on the side watching a beautiful light display of orbs as they floated around theirs beautiful colors blinking. I swear I at one point, it felt like I was out in a field surrounded by fire flies. Mingled in with the orbs you could hear the sounds of running water. Now remember, there is absolutely no running water in the building.

Then we found our way into the TB room and found more orbs floating around among the dust. This room was once home to folks who had gotten tuberculosis and were dying. I stood next to a window that was left open and was overcome with the feeling of depression and it literally felt like I was watching my life pass me by. One of the investigators said she saw someone standing by the window.

We left the prison at around 3 am, we were tired as well as wired up. I remember looking back up at that window on the way out the gates and wondering if we were being watched. I could imagine a person standing in that window sadly waving at everyone as they left. This was one paranormal investigation I will never forget.

Photos will come soon.