Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Visitation

Your First 8 Days at Southern Ohio C.F. (CRC): Why Reception Inmates Can't Receive Visits and How Families Should Prepare

The first week at CRC can be frustrating for families — visiting doesn't start right away. Here's what controls those first days, the limits you'll face, and practical steps to help you prepare for your first successful visit once reception visiting opens.

• 3 min read • dam.assets.ohio.gov
Your First 8 Days at Southern Ohio C.F. (CRC): Why Reception Inmates Can't Receive Visits and How Families Should Prepare

At Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (CRC),

Tip: Don’t schedule a trip for the first eight days. Use that time to get your visitor paperwork together and coordinate who will be on the approved list so you’re ready to book a session as soon as visits are allowed.

Your First 8 Days at Southern Ohio C.F. (CRC): Why Reception Inmates Can't Receive Visits and How Families Should Prepare

Once reception visiting opens, there's a limit on how often each approved visitor can come. Reception Incarcerated Persons may have two (2) visiting sessions per calendar month from each person on their approved visiting list. That "per person" detail matters - each approved adult gets up to two sessions monthly. Plan your dates carefully and coordinate with other family members so no one wastes a session or accidentally double-books.

  1. Wait for approval - the two-sessions-per-month limit applies to each person on the approved visiting list.
  2. Register in the GTL VisitMe system - once you’re approved, you must create your registration there to make visits.
  3. Reserve your session(s) for the month - book with the two (2) visiting sessions per calendar month cap in mind so you don’t burn a session on a day you can’t be processed in time.
  • ✓ AM session: 8:30am to 11:30am
  • ✓ PM session: 12:00pm to 3:15pm
  • ✓ You must be processed prior to 9:15am for the AM session
  • ✓ You must be processed by 1:00pm for the PM session

Note: CRC does not hold reception visiting on weekends. Weekend visits are by appointment only, so don’t assume you can show up on a Saturday or Sunday and be seen.

CRC also limits how many people can visit at once. A maximum of five (5) visitors may visit an Incarcerated Person at one time - and that total includes walking children. If you're coming as a group, count everyone who will be on their feet. Show up with more than five, and some of you won't get in.

Think about the approved list early - CRC caps its size. An incarcerated person's visiting list may include up to fifteen (15) approved adult visitors, with no more than two (2) friends. Most families prioritize immediate relatives first, then decide carefully who takes one of those limited friend slots.

Your First 8 Days at Southern Ohio C.F. (CRC): Why Reception Inmates Can't Receive Visits and How Families Should Prepare

Practical Steps for Families While in Reception

  • ✓ Complete Visitor Application (DRC2096)
  • ✓ Signed Declaration of Understanding (DRC2554)
  • ✓ Signed General Visiting Instructions (DRC2274)
  • ✓ Copy of your bona fide photo identification (bring a legible copy)
  1. Decide who truly needs to visit during reception - with only two (2) visiting sessions per calendar month per approved person, it pays to plan ahead.
  2. Build the visiting list with the limits in mind - the list can include up to fifteen (15) approved adult visitors total, with no more than two (2) friends.
  3. Plan each visit as a small group - no more than five (5) visitors can visit at one time, and walking children count toward that five.
  1. Register in the GTL VisitMe system after you’re approved - registration is required before you can make visits.
  2. Choose an AM or PM session - AM runs 8:30am–11:30am, and PM runs 12:00pm–3:15pm.
  3. Arrive early enough to be processed - you must be processed by 9:15am for AM, and by 1:00pm for PM.
  4. Avoid weekend assumptions - there’s no reception visiting on weekends; weekend visits are appointment-only.

Note: All visitors are subject to search. To avoid delays at the metal detector, skip items that commonly set it off - hairpins, underwire bras, certain boots and shoes, clothing with multiple zippers, and excessive jewelry.

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