Ohio State Penitentiary

Ohio State Penitentiary is a supermax prison for male inmates that is located in Youngstown, Ohio. Operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Ohio State Penitentiary has a population of approximately 500 inmates.

Inmates classified in Levels 5A and 5B are active leaders of security threat groups or they are prisoners who have failed to adapt. Level 4 and Level 3 inmates are in similar cells, but they have more freedom to move around the cell block.

As of 2019, there are six death row inmates being housed at Ohio State Penitentiary, while the rest are at Chillicothe Correctional Institution.

Level 1 inmates are housed in a separate building outside of the institutional fence.

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Ohio State Penitentiary

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Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting is limited to a maximum of three visitors per inmate at one time, including all children, unless special arrangements have been made in advance. Each visiting session counts as a separate visit. Therefore, two visits on the same day shall count as two of the three visits allowed per inmate each month. 

Visiting Hours

Wednesday through Sunday:

  • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Closed on all Mondays, Tuesdays, and all state holidays.
  • Visiting hours are subject to change without notice. Please call the institution to verify visiting hours before planning a visit.

OSP Correctional Camp (Security Level 1) - Reservations Required

Wednesday through Sunday:

  • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Camp inmates may receive 4 visits per month
  • Closed on all Mondays, Tuesdays, and state holidays
  • Visiting hours are subject to change without notice. Please call the institution to verify visiting hours before planning a visit.

Visiting Applications, Reservations, and Procedures

Each potential visitor must complete a Visiting Application and have it approved before visiting an inmate. This application may be sent through the mail, emailed, faxed, or dropped off in person. Visitation will not be allowed until your application has been processed and you have been approved and notified. For complete details, click here.

Reservations

  • Visiting reservations are required for all visiting sessions. 
  • When making reservations, all visitors being scheduled for the visit must be listed on the reservation and be an approved visitor on the inmate's list.
  • Reservation requests will be accepted no less than 4 days and no more than 30 days in advance of visit.
  • Cancellations are accepted five days prior to the scheduled visit without penalty. 
  • Approved visitors may make a reservation up to 30 days in advance by calling directly to 330-743-0700 x2111. If you have any questions, you can call the shift office at any time at x2056.

Dress Code

Appropriate clothing and undergarments must be worn (i.e., bra, slip, and underwear) to visit an inmate.

Inappropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to:

  • See-through clothing of any kind.
  • Tops or dresses that expose the midriff or have open backs or open sides (such as any sleeveless clothing such as halter tops, tube tops, cropped tops, tank tops, and muscle shirts).
  • Low-cut clothing cut in a manner that exposes the chest.
  • Any clothing that inappropriately exposes undergarments.
  • Skirts, dresses, shorts, skorts, or culottes with the hem or slit above the mid-knee.
  • Wrap-around skirts/dresses or break-away type pants.
  • Clothing with any gang related markings.
  • Clothing with obscene and/or offensive pictures, slogans, language, and/or gestures.
  • Form-fitted clothing made from Spandex or Lycra or other similar knit material such as leotards, unitards, bicycle shorts, tight jeans, or tight pants.
  • Clothing with inappropriate holes/rips, including shoulder cut-outs.
  • No smartwatches or fitness monitors (such as fitbits).

Purses, handbags, and backpacks are not permitted. Diaper bags and infant carriers are allowed, but clear plastic bags are preferred. You may bring:

  • A reasonable number of diapers and baby wipes
  • Three plastic baby bottles
  • Three plastic containers of baby food
  • One pacifier

Video Visitation

The Ohio State Penitentiary maintains video visiting kiosks in every general population housing unit. Approved visitors may visit www.jpay.com for additional information.

Physical Address

Ohio State Penitentiary
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road
Youngstown, OH 44505

Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/nLQZ2cP8uGiDxBPDA

General Phone Number

330-743-0700

Inmate Mailing Address(es)

Inmate Name, DOC Number
Ohio State Penitentiary
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road
Youngstown, OH 44505

The inmate’s name and DOC number must be clearly written on the envelope of all inmate mail. You can find your inmate’s DOC number by calling Central Inmate Records at 614-752-1076, or you can use the online tool.

JPay Email Option
Please visit JPay for additional information about sending an email to your inmate.

The Inmate Food and Sundry Package Program
Family, friends, and inmates may order food and sundry packages from approved vendors  Keefe Group/Access Securepak, Union Supply Direct, and Walkenhorsts. Inmates have access to catalogs, flyers, and order forms for these programs.

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at Ohio State Penitentiary do have access to phones, but they can’t receive incoming calls. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Ohio, please click here.

How to Send Money

You can send money to your inmate at Ohio State Penitentiary through JPay or the ConnectNetwork only if you are an approved (or tentatively approved) visitor. 

  • MAIL - You can make deposits by U.S. Mail through JPay. Each money order must be accompanied by the Money Order Deposit form, found on the JPay Website and a copy of your driver's license (or state ID or passport).  This will be used to match your name to the visiting list. The name on the money order must exactly match:
    • the name on the driver's license, state ID, or passport; AND
    • the name and date of birth used to register as a visitor with DRC
    • Money orders may not exceed $200, unless approved in advance by the institution Warden.
    • You will not be able to send any letters to the inmate with the money order. Any letters sent to inmates with the money order will be discarded.
    • Please visit the JPay website for additional information.

  • ONLINE - Send money through the  ConnectNetwork website using credit or debit cards. OffenderConnect charges a transaction fee for using this service. 
  • TELEPHONE - Call 1-888-988-4PMT (4768), reference Site ID 86 when prompted by the automated attendant. Deposits can be made through the toll-free number using credit or debit cards. There is a transaction fee for using this service.

Programs For Inmates

Accepting Responsibility

This program helps inmates explore the "justification thinking errors" and addresses accepting responsibility for destructive behaviors.

Fear: The Anger Trigger

This program helps inmates take a look at their destructive force "anger," how it impacts others, and the thinking behind explosive anger.

OSP Wellness

Medical, Unit Staff, Recovery Services, Mental Health and Recreation provide education on topics related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Activities are structured to motivate inmates to be responsible for their well-being physically, mentally, and emotionally. Educational activities are provided on a weekly basis for six months.

TOPUCU (The Only Person You Cheat is Yourself)

TOPUCU is a program designed to transform thinking and actions. TOPUCU is a transformational program designed to develop finishers. This program anticipates the challenges inmates may face at each stage of progress such as breaking bad habits, setting goals, staying motivated, managing  time and much more. 

Treatment Transfer

The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction established a Treatment Transfer Program at the Ohio State Penitentiary Camp in March of 2016 for community-based substance abuse disorder treatment for qualified offenders. 

The purpose of the program is to provide substance abuse disorder assessment and treatment through community treatment providers to help reduce substance abuse relapses and recidivism for qualified offenders while preparing them for reentry into the community and improving public safety.

Free on the Inside

Free on the Inside is an offender led group at the Ohio State Penitentiary Correctional Camp (OSPCC). The mission of FOTI is to raise and maintain the morale within the offender community. 

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) for Adults with Children

A free program designed to help limited-resource families with children make healthier choices. The lessons are research-based and delivered with an interactive and hands-on approach. Participants increase skills in decision making related to nutrition, stretching food dollars, increasing physical activity, parenting, food safety, and resource management. 

Reversion Unit

The Reversion program was created to help try to reintegrate maximum security offenders from a restrictive housing environment to the community. The Reversion program provides inmates with appropriate programming, meaningful activities, and pro-socialization with friends and family. 

Inmates are screened by a multidisciplinary team monthly to ensure that the participants are willing to participate. Screenings are generally limited to at least six months from release.

New Roots

The New Roots program is a concept that was developed to prepare higher security level offenders for reentry into the community. This process begins 12 months prior to an offender’s release and continues throughout the remainder of their sentence. 

The New Roots process will include development of Transitional Skills, WorkShops, Cognitive Programming, family reintegration along with community and mentoring support. The development of transitional skills is to ease their transition from incarceration to life in the community. 

Decision Points

Decision Points’ focus is on developing positive means of problem-solving by both cognitive restructuring and social skills interventions. Decision Points consists of five lessons and is a re-entry essential program. 

Community Services

  • Adopt-A-School
  • Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley
  • Animal Charity of Ohio
  • Coitsville Township Fire Department

Academic

  • Adult Basic Education (ABLE)
  • Pre-GED
  • High School Equivalency (GED)
  • High School Options

Education Services

  • Computer Aided Instructional Laboratories (CAIL)
  • Correctional Education Association (CEA) Tutor Training (OSP camp)
  • Library Services
  • Ohio Reentry Connections
  • Special Education Services

Apprenticeships

  • Alteration Tailor
  • Cook (Any Industry)
  • Health Care Sanitary Technician
  • Janitor
  • Landscape Management Technician
  • Material Coordinator

Pictures of Ohio State Penitentiary

Careers at Ohio State Penitentiary

If you are interested in a career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections — and would like to apply for a job at the Ohio State Penitentiary — you can find out more information about available jobs by clicking here.

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