Blood Prison

Blood Prison in Mansfield, Ohio, is a world-class haunted attraction set within the historic Ohio State Reformatory, a gothic prison iconic for its role in The Shawshank Redemption and notorious for its documented paranormal activity, with over 200 deaths, including two guards killed during escape attempts. This 45- to 60-minute indoor haunt, also known as Escape from Blood Prison, immerses guests in a terrifying narrative where the nation’s most deranged inmates have seized control of the reformatory, transforming it into a nightmarish Blood Prison. Visitors navigate the world’s largest free-standing steel cell block, claustrophobic corridors, and the oppressive darkness of “The Hole,” encountering spectral cries from the warden’s widow and grotesque apparitions of twisted inmates and sadistic guards. Over 100 professional actors, guided by the creative expertise of Undead Studios’ Vic Amesquita, deliver relentless, in-your-face scares through chilling dialogue and sudden jump tactics, with memorable characters like bloodthirsty clowns and vengeful gangsters. The haunt’s atmosphere is heightened by cinematic sets, including gore-soaked cells, a towering electric chair nicknamed “Good ol’ Sparky,” and intricate props like severed limbs and haunted portraits, all seamlessly integrated with the reformatory’s eerie architecture. Special effects, such as dense fog, strobe lights, and bone-chilling soundscapes, amplify the horror, while the prison’s reported paranormal activity—evidenced by ghostly sightings—adds an authentic layer of unease. An optional Ultra Lightning Pass heightens the terror with closer actor interactions, ensuring a more intense experience. The queue area buzzes with food vendors, souvenir stalls selling horror-themed merchandise, and roaming actors who maintain the spooky ambiance. Due to the haunt’s multi-level layout, narrow passages, numerous stairs, and intense scares, it’s not recommended for children under 10, those with mobility issues, or the visually impaired. With its blend of historical gravitas, Hollywood-quality production, and unrelenting terror, Blood Prison delivers an unforgettable Halloween adventure for thrill-seekers and horror enthusiasts.