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What You Can and Can't Bring Into Visiting at Ohio Reformatory (Clear List)

Visiting goes smoother when you walk in with only what's allowed. Use this list to avoid having items confiscated—or getting turned away—at Ohio Reformatory.

• 2 min read • dam.assets.ohio.gov
What You Can and Can't Bring Into Visiting at Ohio Reformatory (Clear List)

ODRC facilities have zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol, or weapons on institution grounds. This isn't just a visiting room rule - it's a serious violation of both policy and Ohio law. If there's any chance an item could be considered contraband, leave it at home or locked in your car before you arrive.

  • ✓ Cash
  • ✓ Cigarettes
  • ✓ Loose tobacco
  • ✓ Cigars
  • ✓ Snuff
  • ✓ Chewing tobacco
  • ✓ Tobacco substitutes
  • ✓ Matches
  • ✓ Lighters
  • ✓ Cigarette papers
  • ✓ Rolling machines
  • ✓ Smart watches
  • ✓ Cell phones
  • ✓ Pagers
  • ✓ Two-way radios
  • ✓ Other electronic communication devices

Plan to visit without a bag. Purses, backpacks, and similar items aren't allowed inside. The easiest approach? Leave everything in your car and carry only what you need to get through the visit.

  • ✓ A clear bag used as a diaper bag
  • ✓ A reasonable number of diapers and baby wipes (in the clear bag)
  • ✓ Up to three clear plastic baby bottles
  • ✓ Up to three clear plastic containers of baby food
  • ✓ One pacifier

Leave all personal electronics behind. Phones are the obvious one, but smart watches, pagers, and other devices count too. If it can send, receive, record, or connect to anything, assume it stays outside.

Want to add money to someone's account? Don't bring cash to hand over during your visit. Only approved visitors can deposit funds, and you'll need to use ODRC's approved process to do it.

You can't pass items directly to the person you're visiting - even harmless ones. No packages, letters, money, or printed materials during visits. Everything has to go through the mail so staff can process it properly.

Note: Handing over items during a visit can be treated as an attempt to introduce contraband. ODRC's zero-tolerance policy means serious consequences. Use the mail or other approved channels instead.

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Before a child can visit at Ohio Reformatory, paperwork comes first. The key form is the Minor Visitor Application (DRC-2238) - it must be completed, signed by the child's custodial parent or legal guardian, submitted, and approved before the child's first visit. While you're preparing, know that Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction materials like the ODRC General Visiting Instructions (DRC-2274) and the Declaration of Understanding (DRC-2554) are available to staff, incarcerated people, and visitors. Ask to review them if you need clarity on the overall process.