Oregon State Penitentiary
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Oregon State Penitentiary. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 2,200 approx.
- Established
- 1866
- Operated By
- Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC)
Oregon State Penitentiary Inmate Communication Overview
Oregon State Penitentiary is the only maximum-security state prison in Oregon, operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections and located in Salem in Marion County, which is also the state capital. Opened in 1866, it is Oregon's oldest prison and houses the state's most serious long-term offenders and death row population. Its location within Salem, a city of roughly 175,000 that sits between Portland and Eugene, makes it more accessible than many rural maximum-security facilities. The prison occupies a prominent position in the city and has been central to Oregon's correctional history for over 150 years.
Communication at Oregon State Penitentiary follows Oregon DOC provider contracts. JPay is the primary platform for electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their Oregon DOC number. Securus Technologies manages phone calls and video visitation under the ODOC statewide contract. Setting up a Securus prepaid account allows families to receive phone calls, and video visits can be scheduled through the Securus platform. Oregon uses JPay for messaging and Securus for phone and video, these are separate platforms requiring separate accounts.
Salem's location along I-5 between Portland and Eugene makes OSP accessible from multiple population centers. Portland is about 45 miles north, and Eugene is about 65 miles south. For families in the Willamette Valley, in-person visits are practical. For families in eastern Oregon or out of state, JPay and Securus video visits provide reliable alternatives. Oregon DOC accounts created for OSP carry over to any other Oregon facility if an inmate transfers.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
2605 State Street, Salem, OR 97310
Main Phone
(503) 378-2453
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.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Inmate Name as on DOC records, SID Number Oregon State Penitentiary 2605 State Street Salem, OR 97310-0505
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Oregon State Penitentiary.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available for general population. Death row access may differ.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Available for eligible inmates. Confirm eligibility based on housing and privilege level.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to ODOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Inmate-initiated calls via Securus. Fund prepaid account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary purchases.
Communication Providers at Oregon State Penitentiary
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses Oregon DOC number.
View JPay ServicesSecurus
Phone calls and video visitation under the Oregon DOC statewide contract.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Oregon State Penitentiary
- JPay handles messaging and money. Securus handles phone and video. Both require separate accounts.
- Death row inmates may have restricted communication access, confirm directly with the facility.
- Messages are reviewed by ODOC staff before delivery.
- ODOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another Oregon facility.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Oregon State Penitentiary
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I send a message to someone at Oregon State Penitentiary?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Oregon DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. ODOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from Oregon State Penitentiary?
- Phone calls from OSP use Securus. Create an account at securustech.net or through the Securus app. Set up a prepaid account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate will call you from facility phones.
- How far is Oregon State Penitentiary from Portland?
- OSP is in Salem, roughly 45 miles south of Portland on I-5, about a 45-minute to one-hour drive. For Portland-area families, in-person visits are very feasible on a day trip.
- Is video visitation available at Oregon State Penitentiary?
- Yes, through Securus. Log into your Securus account, search for Oregon State Penitentiary, and select an available time slot. Schedule in advance. Death row inmates may have restricted access, confirm eligibility first.
- How do I send money to an Oregon State Penitentiary inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Oregon State Penitentiary. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
Troubleshooting at Oregon 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. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- 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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