Why You Can't Bring Cash, Packages, or Letters into the Visiting Room — and How to Send Money or Tablet Payments Instead

ODRC's

Tobacco and smoking-related items are also banned. That means cigarettes, loose tobacco, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, and paraphernalia like matches, lighters, cigarette papers, and rolling machines. If you're unsure whether something counts, assume it does - leave it at home or in your car.

You can't bring a package to your visit and hand it over - even something harmless you've already bought. ODRC requires all packages to go through the mail system, not delivered in person.

Letters and printed materials work the same way. You can't pass correspondence or documents directly to someone in the visiting room. Everything has to go through mail processing - no hand-to-hand exchanges.

Cash is a hard no. ODRC lists it among items you cannot knowingly convey - or attempt to convey - onto detention facility grounds. Violations can be prosecuted under ORC 2921.36. If you want to help with commissary or daily needs, use the approved deposit process instead.

Want to add funds to someone's account? Your visitor status matters. Only approved visitors can make deposits, and you have to use ODRC's designated process. Staff won't accept cash or make exceptions during visits - account money goes through the official channel only.

• ✓ Confirm you’re an approved visitor before you try to add money to the account (ODRC limits deposits to approved visitors).
• ✓ Use the approved ODRC deposit process rather than bringing cash or money orders to visitation.
• ✓ If you’re an approved adult visitor, register through the GTL VisitMe registration site so you can make a visit reservation.
• ✓ Keep your deposit confirmation details (date, amount, and any reference/receipt information) in case you need to troubleshoot later.

Tablet repair payments have specific requirements. Include the tablet payment form with your payment and mail it to: ViaPath Technologies, PO Box 3023, Houston, TX 77253. Only money orders and cashier's checks are accepted. Make it payable to "ViaPath Technologies" for the full $250.00 in U.S. dollars.