The excerpt from American Hauntings provides a detailed history of the Ohio State Penitentiary, focusing on its origins, its troubled past, and its eventual closure in 1983. The text explores the brutality of the prison system, highlighting instances of violence, torture, and the 1930 fire that claimed the lives of hundreds of inmates. The excerpt also details the prison’s evolution, from its early days of solitary confinement and hard labor to the implementation of recreation programs and a more humane approach under Warden Alvis. Finally, the text concludes by discussing the persistent rumors of hauntings and the lingering spirits of those who perished within the prison walls.