Mansfield Reformatory

Recently, I took the NR 9th graders to the Mansfield Reformatory.  We had been nearing the end of a unit titled Preventing the Past:  Patterns in History, which began with research on the Holocaust, reading NIGHT by Elie Wiesel, then researching and connecting modern topics to this such as genocide, human trafficking, racism/sexism, etc., and on to looking at methods of reform as ways to prevent pattern of the past.  


While at the Mansfield Reformatory, we observed the name, outer structure, inner structure, and daily schedule and expectations in order to analyze how these were used to reform prisoners and if they were effective methods of reform.  


Overall, the field trip was great!  The Mansfield Reformatory is such an interesting historical place with amazing architecture, tons of history, modern connections (Shawshank Redemption, Air Force One, and even a Lil' Wayne music video have been shot in the Reformatory) and more!  Did I mentioned that the cells, 600 of them, make the the largest cell block in the world?!?!  This has put the Mansfield Reformatory as #27 on the Top 100 Things to See Before You Die!  We can now check that one off!


Check out some of the photos from our adventure:

Scene from Shawshank Redemption

Eric in a coal-burning nook.

Austin looking down from one of the rows of cells.

Brittany in a cell!

Giant cell block.

Yes, Ethan, that IS an electric chair! Eek!

Me, inside of a cell!  Don't leave me here, please!

An elevator in the chapel.

Old books and records from the hospital and library.

Our tour guide explaining that all inmates were required to take showers on Saturdays.