Guidelines for Photography and Videography Rentals at the Ohio State Reformatory

We welcome guests to take small-scale photography during their self-guided or guided tours. A point-and-shoot camera or cell phone camera is always allowed, at any time.

We do not allow tripods, monopods, flash, selfie-sticks, or any live-streaming, filming, or audio recording during our daytime tour hours. We do not allow any posed portraits (senior photos, engagement photos, etc.) during our daytime tour hours.

Timing: As our focus will always be on the historical tour program, photography and filming options are only available outside of our public tour times. Options may be available for prior to 11am or after 5pm, based upon our calendar, tour schedule, and special events. During the winter when we’re only open for tours 5 days a week, we may offer availability 9am-5pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. No photo or filming requests will be accepted for dates between Labor Day and mid-November, while the Blood Prison Haunted House setup is under way.

Locations: Photo and video tours have access to our standard public tour route, which includes the administrative areas, Warden Norton’s Office, Brooks’ Room, the chapel, the cell blocks, solitary confinement, the bullpen, the showers, and the library. If you wish to use any of the restricted areas, you are required to always have a tour guide with you. You have the option to hire a tour guide for $50/hour.

Waivers: All guests of the project must sign a liability waiver when they enter the premises.

Content Rules: We want you to be creative, but we do have rules for what themes we allow to represent the Ohio State Reformatory. Respect must be given to our history and those who suffered here:

• No nudity or depictions of any sexual acts
• No violence, blood, or gore.
• No weapons, real or prop, may be used in any of the images or filming.
• No inmate, prisoner, or guard costumes and no handcuffs, chain, or binding of any individual without prior written approval by the Ohio State Reformatory.
• No photos or video may be taken of the active prisons surrounding us.

Pricing and Payment: Photo/filming pricing is based on the duration of your visit and the number of guests attending. We require a non-refundable deposit equal to the first hourly rate, immediately upon booking. If something happens and you are unable to attend your original date, we will work with you to reschedule, subject to our availability. The pricing structure is listed in the table below:

Remaining balance will be due when the group arrives for the tour. The photo/filming project must be completed within the timeframe booked. If the group runs over their scheduled time, the difference between amount paid and actual time stayed will be due prior to the group departing the grounds, in full hour-block increments.

To book a photo or video event, please contact Ashleigh Ramey, Program Director.

Email: ashleigh@mrps.org  Phone: 419-522-2644 ext. 101