Why You Can't Hand Packages, Money, or Mail Directly to an Inmate at Mansfield CI

Visitors at Mansfield CI are not allowed to deliver packages directly to an incarcerated person during a visit. Even something small that you think would be approved still has to go through the mail or another approved process so it can be properly screened under policy.

The same rule applies to correspondence and printed materials. You can't bring in a letter, documents, photos, printouts, or other paper items and pass them to the incarcerated person during visitation. All of those items must go through the mail per policy, not exchanged in person.

You can't give money directly to an incarcerated person either. Cash is specifically listed among items prohibited from being conveyed onto the grounds of a detention facility, and visitation rules reinforce that. If you want to help with expenses, you'll need to use the approved deposit process rather than bringing cash to the visit.

Want to put money on someone's account? Only approved visitors may deposit funds, and deposits have to go through the approved Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) process. That's why bringing cash to a visit doesn't work. The facility isn't set up for you to hand money to the incarcerated person or "hand deposit" it during the visit.

For property, paperwork, and other items, plan on using the mail. Mansfield CI's visitation rules are clear: packages and other deliverables are not exchanged in person and must be processed through the mail per policy or other approved channels. If you show up with items hoping staff will pass them along, you'll most likely end up taking them back with you.

• ✓ Use a money order or cashier’s check only (other payment types are not accepted).
• ✓ Make the payment for $250.00.
• ✓ Make it payable to “ViaPath Technologies”.
• ✓ Mail the payment with the required deposit form, using the ViaPath payment slip and its PO Box address.

These restrictions exist because ODRC takes contraband seriously. The department maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the conveyance of drugs, alcohol, and weapons into its correctional institutions. Preventing visitors from handing items directly to incarcerated people is one way the system controls what comes in and maintains a clear chain of custody.

1. Confirm you are an approved visitor. Only approved visitors may deposit funds to an incarcerated person’s account.
2. Use the approved ODRC deposit process. Do not bring cash to the visit expecting to give it directly to the incarcerated person.
3. Send items through mail or other approved channels. Packages and other items cannot be handed over during visitation and must be processed through the mail per policy.

If you're trying to pay for a tablet repair, follow the ViaPath instructions exactly. The payment must be a $250.00 money order or cashier's check, made payable to ViaPath Technologies, and mailed in with the deposit form using the address listed on the ViaPath payment slip. Don't bring that payment to visitation to try to hand it off.