Exploring 31 Prisons in Ohio: Facts, Stats, and Insights

Prisons in Ohio play a crucial role in the state’s criminal justice system. Ohio has a large prison population, with over 48,000 inmates incarcerated in state-run facilities.

The state’s prison system faces various challenges, including overcrowding, aging facilities, and a high rate of recidivism. Ohio has implemented several initiatives aimed at reducing the number of inmates and improving conditions within its prisons.

This article will provide an overview of the current state of Ohio’s prison system, including its history, current conditions, and recent reforms.

State Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Security Level	Inmate Capacity	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution	Lima	Minimum/ medium	1310	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Belmont Correctional Institution	St. Clairsville	Minimum/ medium	1692	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Chillicothe Correctional Institution	Chillicothe	Medium	2457	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Correctional Reception Center	Orient	Reception	1628	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Dayton Correctional Institution	Dayton	Minimum	776	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Grafton Correctional Institution	Grafton	Minimum/ medium	1892	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Hocking Correctional Facility	Nelsonville	Minimum/ medium	506	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Lebanon Correctional Institution	Lebanon	Minimum/ medium	2263	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
London Correctional Institution	London	Maximum	2268	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Lorain Correctional Institution	Grafton	Medium	1626	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Madison Correctional Institution	London	Minimum/ medium	1749	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Mansfield Correctional Institution	Mansfield	Close	2175	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Marion Correctional Institution	Marion	Medium	2469	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Noble Correctional Institution	Caldwell	Medium	2290	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Ohio Reformatory for Women	Marysville	Close	2333	Female	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Ohio State Penitentiary	Youngstown	Supermax	504	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Pickaway Correctional Institution	Orient	Medium	2880	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Richland Correctional Institution	Mansfield	Medium	2501	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Ross Correctional Institution	Chillicothe	Close	2128	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Southeastern Correctional Institution	Lancaster	Close	2416	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Southern Ohio Correctional Facility	Lucasville	Close	1652	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Toledo Correctional Institution	Toledo	Close	1062	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Trumbull Correctional Institution	Leavittsburg	Medium	1860	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Warren Correctional Institution	Lebanon	Minimum/ medium	1349	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution

The Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution, located in Lima, Ohio, is a state prison with a population of 1,498 male inmates. The majority of the inmates are held under minimum or medium security, with a few under close or maximum security at the Oakwood compound.

The facility employs approximately 439 staff members, with 284 classified as security personnel. It costs an estimated $62 per day to maintain each inmate at the facility.

The prison offers programs for inmates to earn their GED or even a degree from the University of Findlay, located 30 miles northeast of the prison. Additionally, special classes are available in power equipment technology, turf management, carpentry, masonry, and plumbing.

Belmont Correctional Institution

Belmont Correctional Institution (BeCI) is a state prison for men located in St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio. The facility was opened in 1995 and is owned and operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

BeCI has a maximum capacity of 2713 inmates at a mix of minimum and medium security levels. The prison offers a range of programs and services to inmates, including education and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

The facility also has a number of industries, including a garment factory and a print shop, which provide work opportunities for inmates. BeCI is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates and has implemented a number of measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all those within its walls.

Chillicothe Correctional Institution

Chillicothe Correctional Institution, or CCI, is a medium security prison situated on the west bank of the Scioto River near Chillicothe, Ohio. It is a state-run facility that was formerly a military camp and later a federal penitentiary.

The prison is named after Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman and is adjacent to Ross Correctional Institution and Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

Over the years, CCI has housed several high-profile prisoners, including Charles Manson, Junior Johnson, Anthony Sowell, and Johnny Paycheck, who served a 22-month stint for shooting a man in a Hillsboro Ohio bar. During Paycheck’s time there, Merle Haggard performed for the inmates.

Correctional Reception Center

The Correctional Reception Center is a state prison located in Orient, Pickaway County, Ohio. It was opened in 1987 and is owned and operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

The facility is designed to hold a maximum of 1500 inmates at various security levels. The prison is adjacent to the state’s Pickaway Correctional Institution. As a reception center, the facility processes and classifies inmates upon their arrival into the state prison system.

Inmates are evaluated and placed into appropriate security levels and programs based on their individual needs and the nature of their offense. The Correctional Reception Center is an important part of Ohio’s prison system, helping to ensure the safe and secure incarceration of convicted offenders.

Dayton Correctional Institution

The Dayton Correctional Institution is a state prison in Ohio that was established in 1987. It is specifically designed to house female inmates and is owned and operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

The facility is capable of accommodating up to 938 inmates at different security levels. The institution has a range of programs and services that aim to promote rehabilitation and reintegration into society. These programs include vocational training, educational opportunities, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

The Dayton Correctional Institution plays a vital role in the state’s criminal justice system, providing a safe and secure environment for female inmates while helping them prepare for a successful return to their communities.

Grafton Correctional Institution

The Grafton Correctional Institution is a state-owned prison facility for men situated in Grafton, Lorain County, Ohio. It was established in 1988 and is managed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

The facility has a capacity of housing 2,074 inmates, and it caters to both minimum and medium-security levels. The institution’s primary goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates, staff, and visitors while promoting rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

The prison offers various educational and vocational programs, including adult basic education, GED preparation, and vocational training. Additionally, the facility has a robust medical department that provides healthcare services to inmates.

Hocking Correctional Facility

Hocking Correctional Facility was a state prison located in Ward Township, Hocking County, Ohio. The facility was originally built in 1952 as a sanatorium and later a children’s center, and was converted into a prison in 1982.

The prison was primarily used to incarcerate the state’s aging prison population and employed a staff of 110. In 2018, the prison housed 430 inmates, with 111 African American, 363 Caucasian, and 7 Latino.

The prison’s operating budget for 2007 was $13,867,468, with a daily cost per inmate of $80.94. However, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announced in January 2018 that the correctional facility would close in March to trim operating costs.

Lebanon Correctional Institution

Lebanon Correctional Institution is a prison located in Turtlecreek Township, Warren County, Ohio, operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Built in the 1950s on 1,900 acres of land, the prison opened in 1960 and is adjacent to another state prison, the Warren Correctional Institution.

The facility houses 2,532 inmates, with a staff of 580, of which 340 are security staff. The prison budget for fiscal year 2005 was $41,082,012, with an annual cost per inmate of $19,867.31.

Inmates at the prison are involved in manufacturing license plates, license plate stickers, printing, and metal fabrication for institutional furniture in the prison industries plant. The prison’s land is also used as a farm, including the raising of cows.

London Correctional Institution

The London Correctional Institution (LoCI) is a prison facility located in Union Township, Madison County, Ohio. Initially known as the London Prison Farm, it operated as a branch of the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus from 1913 to 1925.

Since 1925, it has served as a separate facility. The prison is designed to house approximately 2,500 adult males and operates on three security levels: minimum, medium, and close security.

LoCI is situated just west of London, Ohio, and is located 27 miles (43 km) southwest of Columbus. The facility has a serious tone and aims to provide a safe and secure environment for both the inmates and the staff.

Lorain Correctional Institution

The Lorain Correctional Institution is a state-run prison located in Grafton, Ohio. It serves as a reception and distribution center for the northern half of the state and is managed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

The prison is adjacent to the Grafton Correctional Institution, and both facilities are responsible for housing and rehabilitating inmates. While the Lorain Correctional Institution does not offer tours or public access, it plays an important role in Ohio’s criminal justice system.

As with all prisons, the focus is on inmate safety and rehabilitation, as well as maintaining a secure environment for staff and visitors alike.

Madison Correctional Institution

Madison Correctional Institution is a state prison located in London, Madison County, Ohio. It was established in 1987 and is home to 2258 male inmates of varying security levels, including minimum, medium, close, max, and supermax.

The facility is situated close to London Correctional Institution, another Ohio state prison. Madison Correctional Institution’s primary objective is to provide safe and secure confinement of inmates while offering various programs and services to help them with their rehabilitation and reentry into society.

These programs include education, vocational training, counseling, substance abuse treatment, and more. The facility is staffed by a team of trained professionals who work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of both the inmates and the community.

Mansfield Correctional Institution

Mansfield Correctional Institution is a mixed-security state prison for men located in Mansfield, Ohio. The facility has a capacity of 2,523 inmates and opened in 1990. It is adjacent to the historic Ohio State Reformatory and the Richland Correctional Institution.

In 2005, the state’s death row inmates were transferred to the Ohio State Penitentiary, and they have since been moved to Chillicothe Correctional Institution.

In 2013, a prisoner escaped from the facility using three ladders to scale security fences. The next day, he was caught, and four correctional employees were fired for infractions ranging from falsifying inventory documents to failing to respond to fence alarms.

Mansfield Correctional Institution serves as a correctional facility for the state of Ohio, working to ensure the safety of both the inmates and the community.

Marion Correctional Institution

Marion Correctional Institution (MCI) is a prison facility located in Marion, Ohio. The prison is owned and operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and caters to men at a minimum and medium-security level.

It was first opened in 1954 and currently houses 2,623 state inmates. The facility is situated near the North Central Correctional Complex, a private prison that also houses Ohio state inmates.

The prison offers various programs, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The facility’s main aim is to ensure the safety and security of the inmates, staff, and the general public.

Noble Correctional Institution

Noble Correctional Institution is a medium-security prison for men located in Caldwell, Noble County, Ohio. The facility is operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and first opened its doors in 1996.

The prison has a current population of 2482 state inmates. The Noble Correctional Institution is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for both the inmates and the staff. The facility offers various programs to help inmates with their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The prison also has a health care unit to provide medical care to the inmates. The Noble Correctional Institution is committed to ensuring that the inmates are treated with respect and dignity, while also maintaining a secure and controlled environment.

Ohio Reformatory for Women

The Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) is a state prison located in Marysville, Ohio. It was established in September 1916, and since then, it has been owned and operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

ORW is a multi-security, state facility that houses 2,394 female inmates as of July 2019. The prison provides services ranging from minimum-security inmates to one inmate on death row.

ORW is the fifth prison in the United States to open a nursery for imprisoned mothers and their babies within the institution, known as the Achieving Baby Care Success (ABC) program. This program is the first in the state to keep infants with their mothers.

Ohio State Penitentiary

The Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown, Ohio, is a supermax prison with a capacity of 502 inmates. It is operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. This facility houses some of the most dangerous and violent offenders in the state.

The prison is designed to keep inmates in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, with one hour for exercise.

The conditions at the Ohio State Penitentiary have been the subject of controversy, with some critics arguing that prolonged isolation can have a negative impact on inmates’ mental health. Despite this, the prison remains an important part of Ohio’s criminal justice system.

Pickaway Correctional Institution

The Pickaway Correctional Institution is a state prison located in Scioto Township, Pickaway County, just outside Orient, Ohio. The facility mostly houses minimum and medium security inmates and was opened in 1984 after the buildings which formerly housed a facility for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities had been closed.

Despite the structures not being built to house prisoners, Warden James Jackson modified the condemned buildings into secure housing for inmates. At present, the prison houses 2107 inmates and 511 staff members, with 249 being the security staff.

Inmates are given opportunities to take classes at Sinclair Community College or learn the printing trade at the OPI Print Shop. The prison also houses a reading room for the children who visit their incarcerated parents, which was established in 2000 after former Ohio First Lady Hope Taft approached the Warden.

The reading room includes an inmate narrator who reads to the visiting children twice a day.

Richland Correctional Institution

Richland Correctional Institution, located in Mansfield, Ohio, is a state prison owned and operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The facility opened its doors in 1998 and currently houses a maximum of 2613 male inmates at a mix of minimum and medium security levels.

The institution’s mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates while promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates.

The prison offers a variety of programs and services to help inmates develop skills and prepare for reentry into society, including educational opportunities, substance abuse treatment, and vocational training. The facility also has a medical unit to provide healthcare services to inmates.

Ross Correctional Institution

Ross Correctional Institution (RCI) is a close security state prison for men located in Ross County, Ohio. It is operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC).

The facility was first opened in 1987 and covers an area of 1,707 acres. Currently, RCI houses 2,085 inmates and employs over 350 security staff. The prison is adjacent to the medium-security Chillicothe Correctional Institution and the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

The inmate population at RCI is diverse, with around 56% of the inmates classified as African American and 43% as Caucasian. The remaining 0.01% of the population is classified as other.

Southeastern Correctional Institution

Southeastern Correctional Institution is an Ohio prison that was originally established as a reform school for male juvenile offenders. It is located in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, and is situated six miles south of Lancaster, Ohio.

Currently, the facility houses 2,034 inmates with either minimum or medium security levels. It is important to note that this prison is not open for public visitation and is strictly monitored by law enforcement officials.

As with all correctional institutions, the primary goal of Southeastern Correctional Institution is to provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff members.

Southern Ohio Correctional Facility

Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, also known as Lucasville, is a maximum security prison located in Scioto County, Ohio. The prison was built in 1972 and is currently under the leadership of Warden Donald Redwood.

It gained notoriety for the April 1993 riot, which lasted for 11 days and involved 450 inmates. The riot resulted in the death of one corrections officer and nine inmates, making it one of the largest crises in Ohio prison history.

Additionally, it is considered one of the longest prison sieges in U.S. history. Despite its violent past, the facility continues to operate as a high-security prison.

Toledo Correctional Institution

The Toledo Correctional Institution, located in Toledo, Ohio, is a state-owned prison facility operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The prison was opened in 2000, and it is designed to house approximately 750 maximum security male inmates.

The Toledo Correctional Institution is responsible for housing Protective Custody inmates at Level 3 and above, Level 4 offenders, and ERH1, ERH2, and ERH 3 level inmates. ERH is the highest security level in Ohio, and it is reserved for inmates who pose a significant risk to the safety of others.

While the Toledo Correctional Institution is a high-security facility, it is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff members.

Trumbull Correctional Institution

Trumbull Correctional Institution is a medium-security prison that houses male inmates in Leavittsburg, Trumbull County, Ohio. It is operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and first opened its doors in 1992.

The facility has a population of 1,529 state inmates, with mixed minimum, medium, and close (maximum) security levels. The prison offers various programs to its inmates, including education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment.

Additionally, Trumbull Correctional Institution provides mental health services to inmates who require them. The facility also has a medical unit that offers healthcare services to its inmates. Overall, Trumbull Correctional Institution is a vital part of Ohio’s criminal justice system.

Warren Correctional Institution

Warren Correctional Institution is a state-operated prison located in Lebanon, Ohio. The facility was established in 1989 and sits on 45 acres of land, which was purchased by the state after the closure of the Shaker settlement at Union Village in 1912.

The prison is situated immediately west of another state prison, the Lebanon Correctional Institution. As of 2005, the facility has a staff of 415 and houses 1,037 inmates, with an even distribution of black and white inmates.

The prison aims to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates while offering various programs, such as education and vocational training, to help them prepare for their eventual reentry into society.

Juvenile Facilities

Prison Name	Location	Security Level	Inmate Capacity	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Circleville Correctional Institution	Circleville	Minimum/ medium	1340	Male	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility	Highland Hills	Secure	169	Male	Ohio Department of Youth Services
Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility	Massillon	Secure	97	Male	Ohio Department of Youth Services

Circleville

Circleville is home to the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility (CJCF), a male youth facility that is fully accredited by the American Correctional Association.

CJCF provides a wide range of services and treatment for youth, including a fully accredited high school, behavioral health services, medical and dental care, recreation, religious services, community service opportunities, and reentry services.

The facility offers substance abuse programming, victim awareness, sex offender programming, and gang interventions. Treatment targets a variety of issues including conduct disorders, anger, aggression, violence, depression, anxiety, self-injury, sleep disturbances, and more.

Unique programs at CJCF include Anger, Aggression & Violence, Buckeye Reach, Career Tech Training via Career Based Intervention, Chop It Up With Chap, Epiphany Ministry, Faith Ministries Church, Family Worship Day, Freedom Ministries, Graphic Design Program, Horticulture Program, Kairos Torch, Man Up Group, Men of Purpose Group, Ohio Christian University Gospel Choir, Ohio State University Tutoring Program, Son Reign Ministries, Thinking for a Change, and Victim Awareness.

Cuyahoga Hills

Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility in Ohio is a male youth facility that is accredited by the American Correctional Association.

The facility offers a wide range of services and treatment for youth, including a fully accredited high school and middle school, behavioral health services, medical and dental care, recreation, religious services, community service opportunities, and reentry services.

The facility also offers substance abuse programming, victim awareness, sex offender programming, and gang interventions. Treatment targets a variety of issues, including conduct disorders, anger, aggression, violence, depression, anxiety, self-injury, sleep disturbances, and more.

Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility offers unique programs such as the Ambassadors of Compassion, the Fatherhood Program, and the Bill Glass Weekend of Champions. The facility also provides programs such as Habitat for Humanity and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, among others, for youth mentoring.

Indian River

The Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility (IRJCF) is a male youth facility located in Ohio. It is accredited by the American Correctional Association and offers a range of services to its residents.

These services include a fully accredited high school, behavioral health services, medical and dental care, recreation, religious services, community service opportunities, and reentry services. The IRJCF also offers substance abuse programming, victim awareness, sex offender programming, Freedom Schools, and gang interventions.

The facility provides treatment for a variety of issues including conduct disorders, anger, aggression, violence, depression, anxiety, self-injury, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, the IRJCF offers unique programs such as Special Living Units, Parenting Programs, and a Staff-Youth Mentoring Program.

Private Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Security Level	Inmate Capacity	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Lake Erie Correctional Institution	Conneaut, OH	Minimum/ medium	1544	Male	Management and Training Corporation
North Central Correctional Complex	Marion, OH	Minimum/ medium	2338	Male	Management and Training Corporation
Northeast Ohio Correctional Center	Youngstown, OH	Minimum/ medium	2240	Male	CoreCivic

Lake Erie Correctional Institution

Lake Erie Correctional Institution is a minimum- and medium-security prison for men located in Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio. The facility, which is owned and operated by CoreCivic, has been contracted by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction since its opening in 2000.

With a working population of 1750 state inmates, Lake Erie is a significant correctional facility in the region. In 2012, the prison was sold to CoreCivic, making it the first state prison in the United States to be sold to a private company.

While the prison’s ownership has changed, its mission to provide secure confinement, treatment, and reentry programming to its inmates remains the same.

North Central Correctional Complex

The North Central Correctional Complex is a minimum- and medium-security prison for men located in Marion, Ohio. The facility has been in operation since 1994 and is owned by the state of Ohio.

It is currently managed by Management and Training Corporation under contract with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. With a working population of 2893 state inmates, the facility provides a range of programs and services aimed at preparing inmates for reentry into society.

These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The North Central Correctional Complex is committed to ensuring the safety of staff, inmates, and the surrounding community while promoting rehabilitation and successful reentry.

Northeast Ohio Correctional Center

Northeast Ohio Correctional Center is a private medium-security prison in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. It is operated by CoreCivic under contract with the United States Marshals Service and the State of Ohio.

The facility has recently secured a new long-term contract with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, which will increase the inmate population to 996 in 2018. The prison offers a range of programs for inmates, including vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and education programs.

The facility is staffed by trained professionals who are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of both inmates and staff. Northeast Ohio Correctional Center plays an important role in the criminal justice system, providing secure and humane confinement for male offenders.

Federal Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Security Level	Inmate Capacity	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton	Elkton, Ohio	Minimum	2470	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons

Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton

The Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton, Ohio, is a low-security federal prison that houses male inmates. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which is a division of the United States Department of Justice.

The prison also has a satellite prison camp that houses low and minimum-security male inmates. FCI Elkton is situated in Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, and is located approximately 45 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The prison serves as a rehabilitation center for inmates and provides them with various programs to help them reintegrate into society once they are released. The facility is heavily secured and monitored to ensure the safety of both staff and inmates.

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