Reception vs. General Population Visits at Ohio Reformatory: How Rules Change After Transfer

During reception, the visiting circle is small. Only immediate family members, the mother or father of the incarcerated person's children, and one designated support person can visit. These individuals must be declared when the person arrives, using the Incarcerated Person Reception Visiting List (DRC2248). After transfer out of reception, the list can grow: up to 15 approved adult visitors, though no more than two can be friends. Reception keeps things tight - closest family and support connections first. General population opens up more options once the visiting list gets built out.

Visit frequency is also restricted during reception. Each person on the approved visiting list can visit twice per calendar month. That per-visitor, per-month cap matters for planning. If multiple people want to visit, spacing out sessions helps ensure everyone gets a chance during what's often a short reception stay.

Reception visits have strict limits on group size and timing. No more than five visitors can see an incarcerated person at once - and that count includes children. Visits run in two fixed blocks: an AM session from 8:30am to 11:30am and a PM session from 12:00pm to 3:15pm. If you're coordinating with other family members, that five-person cap (especially with kids in tow) can mean someone has to sit out.

Those fixed sessions matter even more because each approved visitor can only come twice per calendar month. Miss a session? You can't always make it up next weekend - each person has limited opportunities. Once your loved one transfers, the visiting routine will likely change. Treat reception as its own phase with its own scheduling constraints.

Much of the post-transfer visiting process starts on day one at reception. Immediate family members and the mother or father of the incarcerated person's children must be declared at arrival on the reception visiting list (DRC2248). This establishes who can eventually be approved. After transfer, the list can include up to 15 approved adult visitors - but still no more than two friends. Family placements matter. If you're immediate family or the parent of their child, getting that declared correctly during reception prevents delays later.

1. Ask whether staff have run the required system checks - designated unit staff are required to search DOTS Portal screens NAMS1, SCOPE, VNAMS, and VADDS to review restrictions and visitation history.
2. Confirm the case-record review was considered - staff should also search the visitor’s name through the incarcerated person’s PSI or indictment for co-defendant and/or victim status.
3. Make sure the paperwork trail is documented - checks are documented in DOTS (including visitation notes), and visitor applications/supporting documents are scanned into OnBase by designated staff.