Ohio State Penitentiary
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Ohio State Penitentiary. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Supermax
- Inmate Capacity
- 500 approx.
- Established
- 1998
- Operated By
- Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC)
Ohio State Penitentiary Inmate Communication Overview
Ohio State Penitentiary is a supermax correctional facility operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, located in Mahoning County near Youngstown in northeastern Ohio. Opened in 1998, it is the only supermax facility in the Ohio prison system. OSP was built to house Ohio's most serious and difficult-to-manage inmates, including those on death row and those who have committed serious violations at other Ohio facilities. The supermax design means most inmates are in single-occupancy cells with highly restricted movement and programming access, which directly affects communication options.
Communication at Ohio State Penitentiary operates through ODRC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account, add the inmate using their Ohio DOC number, and purchase stamps to send messages. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation. At a supermax facility, communication access is more restricted than at general-population Ohio prisons. Phone calls and video visits may be limited based on an inmate's current classification level and privilege tier. Death row inmates at OSP may have specific communication restrictions separate from general supermax rules.
The restricted nature of OSP means families should not assume standard Ohio DOC communication access applies. Confirming the inmate's current privilege level, and what that means for messaging, phone, and video access, before setting up or funding accounts will prevent frustration. When an inmate's status or privilege tier changes, communication access can shift significantly. The Ohio DOC inmate search tool provides basic housing information, but for specific communication access questions, contacting the facility directly or checking with an attorney or case manager is the most reliable approach. JPay and GTL accounts created for OSP work across the Ohio DOC system if an inmate is transferred to a lower-security facility.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road, Youngstown, OH 44505
Main Phone
(330) 743-0700
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Ohio State Penitentiary.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available but subject to privilege level. Confirm current access before funding.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Available for eligible inmates. Supermax classification may restrict video access.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Supermax-level content review applies.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Restricted at supermax level. Confirm current phone access for the specific inmate.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay. Standard across all ODRC facilities.
Communication Providers at Ohio State Penitentiary
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Access may vary by privilege level.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation. More restricted at supermax level than at general ODRC facilities.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Ohio State Penitentiary
- Communication access depends directly on the inmate's current privilege level. Do not assume standard access.
- Death row inmates at OSP may have additional restrictions beyond standard supermax rules.
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms requiring separate accounts.
- Confirm current messaging, phone, and video access with the facility before funding any account.
- All communications are monitored by ODRC staff.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ohio State Penitentiary
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- Can I message someone at Ohio State Penitentiary?
- Messaging is available through JPay, but access at OSP is subject to the inmate's current privilege level. At a supermax facility, communication privileges can be more restricted than at general-population prisons. Create a JPay account at jpay.com, but confirm the inmate's current messaging access before funding stamps.
- Are phone calls available at Ohio State Penitentiary?
- Phone calls use GTL, but access is more restricted at OSP than at other Ohio prisons. The number of calls permitted per month depends on the inmate's privilege tier. Fund a GTL AdvancePay account at telmate.com, but check the inmate's current phone access status first.
- Are there communication restrictions for death row inmates at OSP?
- Yes. Death row inmates at Ohio State Penitentiary may have communication rules that differ from standard supermax inmates. The specific restrictions depend on current ODRC policy and the inmate's status. Confirming with the facility or with legal counsel is the most reliable way to understand what communication is currently permitted.
- How do I find out an inmate's current privilege level at OSP?
- The Ohio DOC inmate search at drc.ohio.gov provides housing information. For privilege level and specific communication access, contacting the facility directly or going through the inmate's case manager is the most reliable approach. Privilege levels at OSP can change based on behavior and program participation.
- How do I send money to an Ohio State Penitentiary inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in to jpay.com, navigate to Send Money, and select Ohio State Penitentiary. Add funds via debit or credit card. JPay deposits are available at all ODRC facilities regardless of security level.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Ohio State Penitentiary?
- Use the Sheriff's office or department of corrections official inmate search or roster for Mahoning County, Ohio. If the inmate does not appear, allow 24 to 72 hours after booking and try alternate spellings.
- How do I send mail to an inmate at Ohio State Penitentiary?
- Include the inmate's full name and ID on every envelope and follow the facility's mail rules. Confirm the current mailing address on the facility's official page before sending.
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at Ohio State Penitentiary?
- No. Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. The inmate must call you, and your number must be on their approved list.
- How do I block or stop calls from an inmate at Ohio State Penitentiary?
- Contact the facility's phone provider and ask to block the number, or block the number through your own phone carrier. You can also ask the facility to remove your number from the inmate's approved list.
- How do I schedule or cancel a video visit at Ohio State Penitentiary?
- Schedule video visits through the facility's video visit provider or visitation system. Cancel the same way, as early as possible, and check the facility's visitation page for its cancellation rules.
Troubleshooting at Ohio State Penitentiary
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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