What You Cannot Bring to an Oklahoma Prison — and What Might Be a Crime
Bringing weapons into an ODOC jail or state penal institution isn't just "against the rules." It's a felony. If you have any gun, knife, bomb, or other dangerous instrument in your possession without authority, you're looking at 1 to 5 years of imprisonment, a fine of $100 to $1,000, or both.
Controlled dangerous substances carry the same weight. Bringing any controlled dangerous substance into an ODOC jail or state penal institution without authority is a felony under Oklahoma law, with penalties that include imprisonment and fines.
Alcohol falls in the felony category too. Bringing intoxicating beverages or low-point beer into an ODOC jail or state penal institution without authority is a felony, carrying the same serious criminal exposure (imprisonment and fines) described in the statute.
This one surprises people: money and paperwork. Bringing money or financial documents intended for someone other than the inmate or the inmate's spouse is also a felony when done without authority. The policy specifically includes tax returns as an example. Penalties range from 1 to 5 years of imprisonment, a $100 to $1,000 fine, or both.
ODOC facilities have a total ban on tobacco. The use or possession of tobacco or tobacco-like products is prohibited at all ODOC facilities. Don't bring them into the facility or into visiting areas.
Note: At minimum, medium, and maximum security ODOC facilities, tobacco and tobacco-like products must be secured in your vehicle for the entire visit.
Cell phones and "smart" electronics are a serious legal risk. Possessing any cellular phone or electronic device capable of sending or receiving electronic communication in any secure area of an ODOC facility is a felony. The penalty: up to 2 years of imprisonment, a fine up to $2,500, or both.
Even when something doesn't rise to a criminal charge, ODOC can end your visit on the spot. Visits will be terminated for possession of contraband, disruptive behavior, or inappropriate physical contact. The shift supervisor gets notified and incident reports get written.
Rule violations can cost you future visits, too. ODOC uses escalating restrictions: a first violation may result in a 90 to 180 day restriction, a second may bring 180 to 365 days, and a third means a permanent ban from visiting.
Contact rule: A hug and brief kiss at the beginning and end of a visit are allowed. Sexual activity (including continued embracing, excessive kissing, hickeys, sitting on laps, or fondling) is prohibited and will end the visit immediately.
Practical Previsit Checklist
- ✓ Leave all weapons and dangerous instruments at home (guns, knives, bombs, anything that could be treated as a dangerous instrument).
- ✓ Do not bring any controlled dangerous substances.
- ✓ Do not bring intoxicating beverages or low-point beer.
- ✓ Do not bring money or financial documents meant for someone other than the inmate or the inmate’s spouse (including tax returns).
- ✓ Do not bring tobacco or tobacco-like products into ODOC facilities.
- ✓ If you are going to a minimum, medium, or maximum security ODOC facility, secure any tobacco or tobacco-like products in your vehicle for the entire visit.
- ✓ Leave cell phones and any electronic devices capable of electronic communication out of secure areas.
- ✓ If you are 18 or older, bring identification that includes a photograph.
- ✓ If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask staff before you bring it onto state property.
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