Ross Correctional Institution

Reservations should be made by emailing the following address. [email protected]

Information needed to schedule reservations: First and last names of all people visiting. All visitors must be approved including children. Inmate last name and number, what session you are requesting AM or PM (All Day, if eligible) and the date you are requesting.

Example: John Doe, Jim Doe, and Jane Doe to see Inmate Doe #A123-456 on 6-27-18 for the PM Session.

Reservations are made via email or at the conclusion of your visit with the Visiting Officer in A-Building.

Visiting Schedule: AM Session 7:15 am to 10:15 am (You must arrive no later than 9:00 am for the AM Session and for (ALL DAY SESSIONS). PM Session 11:15 am to 2:15 pm (Arrive no later than 1:00 pm).

Visitors, please know that for security related purposes that late arrivals for the morning visits must arrive prior to 10:00 am for entry. Late arrivals for the afternoon sessions must arrive prior to 2:00pm.

Please note: If you are assisting in making reservations for someone other than yourself, please inform them of instructions that pertain to them entering the institution.

Visiting reservations need to be scheduled no later than seven days in advance and up to 30 days in advance. Any cancelations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Visiting Officers should reply back to your email within 48 hours. Keep in mind visiting is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and State Holidays. To download a visitor application and to see the RCI specific visiting instructions, please click here.

Minor children must be approved visitors. Documentation must be presented in the form of a birth certificate, custody paperwork or minor authorization entrance form (if required). Visitors without the correct paperwork will not be allowed to visit. For a minor authorization form, click here.

No cash is allowed to be taken into the Visiting Room. Visitors can purchase a vending card in A-Building. You will need a Five Dollar Bill ($5.00) to purchase this card. Once purchased, you can load up to Fifty Dollars ($50.00) on your card.

Visitors need to bring current government issued identification, (Driver’s License, State ID or Military ID).

If any visitor has any medical impairments where they cannot clear a metal detector, they will need a medical card or documentation from their physician stating why they are unable to clear the metal detector each time they visit. Examples include, hip or knee replacement or a pacemaker.

Cell phones, electronic devices, keys (other than your vehicle key), and other items not allowed in the institution need to be secured in your vehicle.

Lockers are available for visitors using public transportation to store your items.

Visiting hours are subject to change without notice. Please check the website to verify visiting hours before planning a visit. Click here for additional information.

Dress Code

Appropriate clothing and undergarments must be worn 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 Ross Correctional Institution maintains video visiting kiosks in every general population housing unit. The hours available for video visits are as follows: 7:30 am – 10:30 am; 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm; and 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Visits are 30 minutes in duration; however, an additional 30 minutes can be requested if another visit was not already scheduled on the same kiosk immediately after the conclusion of the requestor’s initial visit.

Any approved visitor may request a video visit. Approved visitors must create an account and register with JPay. When family members register to have a video visit, they are prompted by JPay through a series of steps to achieve their visit. Video visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance of the time that they are requesting.  

Video visitation kiosks are available to all general population inmates in their housing units.   Inmates in restrictive housing (segregation) are not permitted video visits. All visitation rules and regulations for video visitation are the same as institutional visits.  

Violation of visiting rules during video visitation might result in a loss of visiting privileges. All video visits are monitored, recorded, and/or reviewed after the video visit session. Video visitation is limited to only approved and tentatively approved visitors. Video visits might be stopped if a violation of visiting rules is observed.

Approved visitors may visit www.jpay.com for additional information.

You must clearly write your inmate’s name and DOC number on the envelope of all inmate mail. You can find their 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.

Inmates at Ross Correctional Institution 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.

If you are an approved visitor, you can send money to your inmate at Ross Correctional Institution through JPay or the ConnectNetwork.

• MAIL - You can make deposits by U.S. Mail through JPay by sending a money order. 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.

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 Ross Correctional Institution — you can find out more information about available jobs by clicking here.