Ghost Hunters Academy

S01E11: Schooled At Shawshank

Location: Mansfield, Ohio *** WARNING! MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS *** The cadets are abuzz as they approach the Ohio State Reformatory, the prison where The Shawshank Redemption was filmed. Staff member Scott Sukel leads the academy on a tour of locations where apparitions have been sighted and startling noises heard. Vera is thrilled to be group leader, but when Steve and Tango look to her for a plan, she comes up dry. Center command is a hurdle, too, and Adam offers some help on that point, but when Steve and Tango approve of the good choice, Vera claims all the credit for herself, causing a stir among the other cadets. Vera's next responsibility as team leader - the plan for the night - is also suggested by Adam after Vera blanks out. In the East Cell Block, Vera and Eric hear banging noises and footsteps, but can't locate the source. Meanwhile, Adam and Michelle head to the West Cell Block, with Adam on the thermal recorder, and they hear similar sounds. While seeking the source, Adam catches the image of a person walking into one of the cells. The pair search all of the cells, but can't find anyone else. Vera and Eric's plan takes them further until they reach the West Cell Block, at the opposite end to Adam and Michelle. Eric relates to the inmates by asking them if they'd like some cigarettes and beer, and before long, Eric and Vera both smell cigarette smoke. They find a concentrated patch, but then the smell disappears. Soon after, the strange noises resume. Adam and Michelle work their way through solitary confinement when they hear a monstrous noise. They pursue it until they bump into Eric and Vera, who were also attracted by the crashing sound. The four split up and try to surround it, but to no avail, and before long, sunrise signals the end of their investigation. At this stage of the competition, Steve and Tango no longer join the cadets for analysis, making all of the competitors more diligent about vetting their catches. Adam shares his experience of seeing the figure and Eric, having run an audio clip past the others for safety, presents it, but Jason doubts its veracity. Then Vera presents a video clip, but again is shot down. Adam tries his luck with his thermal finding, but Jason suggests that it could have been a reflection, and deems it inconclusive. Jason then scolds Vera - and the team - for missing an audio catch. Jason asks everyone whom they think should go home, starting with Adam, who cites Vera for her lack of leadership and failure to credit him for his idea for center command, and Michelle and Eric agree. Jason, Steve and Tango depart to discuss everyone's abilities, and settle on the fact that Vera's lack of planning and failure to name Adam for his good ideas make her the weakest cadet, and she is sent home.