Sending Mail to Inmates in Ohio
Inmates in Ohio are allowed to send and receive an unlimited amount of correspondence (as long as they have the funds to pay for postage). All mail is opened and inspected to ensure the contents do not contain contraband, the only exception to this is legal mail which can be opened and inspected in the presence of the inmate, but not read. When you send your letters be sure to include your full name and complete return address, and format the inmate's address as follows:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Facility Name
PO Box or Street address
City, State, Zip Code
Offenders can also receive up to five 5"x7" photos. The photos may not be instant or Polaroid and cannot contain nudity. Additionally, inmates can receive up to 5 newspaper clippings no larger than 8,5"x11" (do not tape or glue the clippings to paper). Offenders may also receive up to 3 embossed envelopes, and up to five blank stationary or copied pages (not to exceed 8.5"x11").
Inmates in Ohio may also receive electronic messages sent through the JPAY e-mail system. It works by allowing you to send a message online for a fee, which is then printed out in the facilities mail room and delivered with the regular mail to the inmate. Inmates do not have access to computers or the internet. No mail sent through the JPAY system will be confidential, all mail sent electronically is read, inspected and logged, do not use this to send legal mail.
Send Quarterly/Food Packages to Ohio Inmates
Friends and family members can also send food and sundry packages through several approved companies to inmates on Death Row, and offenders who are classified as custody levels 4A and below (Levels 1, 2, 3). Inmates on Death row are limited to three packages per year, inmates level 4A may have two packages, level 2 and level 3 are limited to three packages and level 1 inmates may receive four packages each year. The package may not exceed 30 pounds in weight and must be smaller than 12"x24"x28" in size. Read More about the Ohio Department of Corrections policy on inmate packages here. The approved vendors for food/sundry packages are Keefe Group/Access Securepak, Walkenhorsts, and Union Supply Direct.
How to Send Books and Magazines to Ohio Inmates
Inmates in Ohio can also receive books, magazines, and newspapers sent directly from Amazon.com. The books must be paperback/soft-cover editions. Additionally, no publications including magazines may contain nudity. You will need to have the items shipped directly to the inmate's name and ID number using USPS through Amazon.com checkout. A limit of three books at a time can be ordered.
Sending Money to Inmates in Ohio
In order to send funds to an inmate in Ohio you must be on the inmate's approved visitation list. Funds can be sent in several ways. All funds sent to an inmate are subject to paying off fines, fee's and outstanding debts the inmate may have including restitution.
You may send up to $200 to an inmate at a time using any of the following methods:
- Walk In
- Internet
- Phone
Before you can send the funds you will need to know the following information:
- The Inmates Name
- The Inmates Identification Number
- The current location of the inmate
Deposit by Walk In
Anyone on the inmate's approved visitors list can deposit funds in person by using the Kiosks that are located in the entry of each prison. You can fund the transaction using cash, credit, or debit card and will need a driver's license or state/government issued ID with a magnetic strip that can be swiped. A fee will be charged for the transaction.
Deposit by Internet
You can also deposit money to an inmate's account online through OffenderConnect. They will let you fund the transaction using a debit or credit card, and charge a fee to send the funds.
Deposit Funds Over the Phone
Deposit funds to an Ohio inmate's account over the telephone by calling 1-888-988-4768. You will need to know the reference Site ID 86 to utilize this method. Transactions can be funded by debit and credit cards for a fee.
Deposit Funds Through the Mail
The method of sending money to an Ohio inmate with the lowest fee is through the mail. Although it is the least expensive method it is also the slowest. You can send the funds through the mail by purchasing a United States Postal Money Order. Fill out the money order completely and make it payable to "JPAY", include the inmate's name and ID number in the memo field. You will need to fill out an Ohio Inmate Money Order Deposit Form and send it with the money order to:
JPAY
PO Box 277810
Miramar, FL 33027
For more information on sending funds to an inmate, read our guide here.
Ohio Inmate Phone Calls
Inmates in Ohio must submit a list of names and numbers to be added to their approved telephone call list. Once on the list you can receive prison phone calls. Inmates can make outgoing calls only. The phone calls will either be billed as a standard collect call where the person receiving the call will be billed, or the call can be a pre-paid collect call. Pre-paid collect calls require the person receiving the calls sets up an account through Global Tel*Link, the calls are pre-paid and receive a discount of 20% when compared to a standard collect call. Inmates may also purchase telephone minutes from the prison's commissary using their own personal funds.
The phone service provider for Ohio is GTL. You can setup a pre-paid account over the phone by calling 1-877-650-4249 or by visiting their website.
Global Tel*Link (GTL) will charge you a fee for each call, plus a rate per minute. You may be able to drastically reduce your inmate phone bill by setting up your account with a number local to the facility. Learn more about how you can save money on your inmate phone calls.