MCF Oak Park Heights
Find messaging, video, and phone options for MCF Oak Park Heights. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 420 approx.
- Established
- 1982
- Operated By
- Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC)
MCF Oak Park Heights Inmate Communication Overview
Minnesota Correctional Facility Oak Park Heights (MCF Oak Park Heights) is Minnesota's highest-security state prison, operated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and located in Oak Park Heights in Washington County along the St. Croix River, about 20 miles east of Saint Paul. Opened in 1982, MCF Oak Park Heights was one of the first purpose-built, underground correctional facilities in the United States and is designed to house the state's most dangerous and high-profile inmates. The facility sits below ground level for security purposes and is known for its stringent control unit environment. Inmates at Oak Park Heights include those convicted of the most serious offenses in Minnesota as well as gang leaders and individuals posing heightened security risks.
Communication at MCF Oak Park Heights follows Minnesota DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their Minnesota DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the MNDOC statewide contract. Due to the facility's high-security classification, communication access may be more restricted than at medium-security Minnesota facilities. Phone and messaging privileges are tied to individual inmate behavior and security classification. Confirm current access with the facility before setting up or funding accounts.
MCF Oak Park Heights is in Washington County, about 20 miles east of Saint Paul near the city of Stillwater. The facility is close to MCF Stillwater, Minnesota's oldest prison, and both are in the western St. Croix Valley. For Twin Cities families, both facilities are accessible from the eastern metro area. The proximity to MCF Stillwater means some families have experience with the Washington County correctional area. For families elsewhere in Minnesota, Duluth, Rochester, or the Iron Range, JPay and GTL video visits are the most practical options for regular contact. Minnesota DOC accounts carry over between facilities if an inmate transfers within the state system.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
5329 Osgood Avenue North, Stillwater, MN 55082
Main Phone
(651) 779-3400
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Visiting Hours
Visits must be scheduled no less than 24 hours and no more than 10 days in advance, by calling 651-779-1400 option 3 then option 6, or through the online scheduling option. Visits last 1 hour with a maximum of 4 visitors. Visiting hours: Thursday and Friday 10:20 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturday 7:10 AM to 4:30 PM. No visiting Sunday through Wednesday or on listed state holidays.
Communication Options
Available communication services at MCF Oak Park Heights.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available based on individual privilege level. High-security restrictions may apply.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Available for eligible inmates. Restrictions vary by security status. Confirm before booking.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay subject to high-security content and privilege restrictions.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Phone access tied to privilege level. Confirm current access with the facility.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at MCF Oak Park Heights
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses Minnesota DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the MNDOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at MCF Oak Park Heights
- MCF Oak Park Heights is Minnesota's highest-security facility. Communication access depends on individual privilege level.
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by MNDOC staff before delivery.
- Confirm current phone, video, and messaging access with the facility before funding accounts.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: MCF Oak Park Heights
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at MCF Oak Park Heights?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Minnesota DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. Due to the high-security environment, messaging access depends on the inmate's individual privilege level. Confirm that messaging is active before purchasing stamps.
- How do I set up phone calls from MCF Oak Park Heights?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or the GTL Connect app and set up a prepaid AdvancePay account. However, at Oak Park Heights, phone access is tied to the inmate's privilege level. Confirm current access before funding the account.
- Why is communication more restricted at Oak Park Heights than at other Minnesota prisons?
- MCF Oak Park Heights is Minnesota's highest-security facility, designed for the most dangerous or high-risk offenders. Communication privileges, including phone, messaging, and video, are tied to behavior and security classification. Some inmates may have full access while others face significant restrictions based on their status.
- How far is MCF Oak Park Heights from downtown Saint Paul?
- The facility is in Oak Park Heights in Washington County, about 20 miles east of downtown Saint Paul, roughly a 30 to 35-minute drive. It is near MCF Stillwater and the St. Croix River. For Twin Cities families, in-person visits are logistically accessible.
- How do I send money to an MCF Oak Park Heights inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select MCF Oak Park Heights. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
- How do I address mail to someone at MCF Oak Park Heights?
- Use the inmate's full name and OID number, followed by MCF Oak Park Heights, 5329 Osgood Avenue North, Stillwater, MN 55082. Include a complete return address. All mail is inspected before delivery.
- Can I call an inmate at Oak Park Heights directly?
- No. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They place outgoing calls to approved numbers through GTL, so fund a GTL AdvancePay account and confirm your number is on the approved call list.
- Why did calls from Oak Park Heights stop coming through?
- Calls usually stop when the GTL balance runs out, the number leaves the approved call list, or phone privileges change. Check the GTL balance first, then confirm with the inmate that your number is still approved.
- Why is my JPay message to Oak Park Heights still pending?
- Messages are reviewed before delivery and can take a day or two to appear, and access is more restricted here than at other Minnesota prisons. If a message stays pending longer, confirm the OID number is correct and that you are on the inmate's approved contact list.
- How do I schedule a video visit with someone at Oak Park Heights?
- Video visitation is limited at this facility. Set up a GTL account, confirm you are on the inmate's approved visitor list, and check the current video visit rules with the facility before booking.
Troubleshooting at MCF Oak Park Heights
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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