What You Can't Bring to an Ohio Reformatory Visit: Common Prohibited Items and Why

Common Prohibited

• ✓ Tobacco products and tobacco substitutes (cigarettes, loose tobacco, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco)
• ✓ Smoking paraphernalia (matches, lighters, cigarette papers, rolling machines)
• ✓ Drugs of abuse and intoxicating liquor (alcohol)
• ✓ Deadly weapons, dangerous ordnance, and ammunition
• ✓ Cash
• ✓ Cellular phones, two-way radios, and other electronic communication devices
• ✓ Packages, correspondence, money, or printed materials intended to be handed directly to an incarcerated person (those must go through the mail per policy)

Even everyday personal items can trip you up if they set off the metal detectors. The visiting packet calls out hairpins, underwire bras, certain boots and shoes, clothing with multiple zippers, and excessive jewelry as common triggers. Want to avoid delays? Keep accessories simple and choose footwear and clothing with minimal metal.

Expect screening when you arrive. All visitors are subject to search, so prohibited items will likely be found - even if you forgot something in a pocket or bag. The smoother your entry, the more time you'll actually have for the visit.

Most bans come down to safety. Drugs, alcohol, and weapons create obvious risks inside a prison, so the rules are strict - and so is enforcement. Electronic devices, especially cellular phones, are treated as serious problems because they can be used to communicate outside approved channels.

The Ohio Reformatory also limits what can pass between visitors and incarcerated people because property exchanges are a common route for contraband. You can't hand-deliver packages, correspondence, money, or printed materials - those must go through the mail per policy. This isn't just a house rule. Bringing prohibited items like drugs, alcohol, weapons, cash, or cell phones onto the grounds violates Ohio law and ODRC policy.

1. Stop and tell staff right away - If you realize you have a prohibited item (like a phone, cash, or tobacco), declare it before you go further.
2. Follow the instructions you’re given - All visitors are subject to search, and staff will direct you on what happens next.
3. Don’t try to pass anything to the incarcerated person - Visitors aren’t permitted to deliver packages, correspondence, money, or printed materials directly to incarcerated persons; those items must go through the mail per policy.

Previsit Checklist

• ✓ Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID and be ready to present it at the visit
• ✓ Make sure you’re registered/approved to visit, and if approved, register on GTL’s visit scheduling site to make visits
• ✓ Leave cash, tobacco (and lighters/matches), and all electronic communication devices (including cell phones) at home or secured in your vehicle before you enter
• ✓ Don’t bring packages, letters, printed materials, or money to hand directly to the incarcerated person - send items through the mail per policy
• ✓ Dress with the metal detector in mind: skip hairpins, excessive jewelry, underwire bras, and outfits with lots of zippers when you can
• ✓ Wear only what you plan to keep on during the visit - no extra clothing carried in (outerwear like a coat and gloves is the exception)

First-time visitor? Handle the paperwork early. You'll need to be registered and bring a valid government-issued photo ID to each visit. Once your application is approved, register on GTL's visit scheduling site to book your visits.