Ohio State Penitentiary Officer of the Year

Ohio State Penitentiary

Warden

Richard A. Bowen, Jr.

Phone

330-743-0700 (Fax: 330-743-0841)

Email

drc.osp@odrc.state.oh.us

Address

878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road Youngstown, OH 44505

Volunteers in Prison

The Ohio State Penitentiary is committed to recruiting dedicated and resourceful volunteers to assist in reentry efforts by providing services to offenders.  For additional information on these opportunities or the application process, please contact Chaplain Thomas Fortini (330-743-0700 x 2450).

Prison Rape Elimination Act

The Prison Rape Elimination Act was passed in 2003 to protect individuals from prison rape.  Click here for more information.

Religious Services

Click here to view a complete listing of available programming/services. Chaplains Thomas Fortini and Robin Rader.

Correspondence

Written correspondence to inmates must include the inmate's name and number on the envelope and be addressed to 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road Youngstown, OH 44505. Click here for Legal Mail information.

Inmate Funds

For more information, click here.

OSP on Social

Stay up to date with the latest news from OSP on Facebook.

Video Visitation

 

The Ohio State Penitentiary maintains video visiting kiosks in every general population housing unit.

An approved visitor is defined as: a visitor that submitted an application for visitation, processing has been completed, and approval by institutional staff has been made. Approved visitors must create an account and register with JPay. When family members register to have a video visit, they are prompted by JPay through a series of steps to achieve their visit.

Approved visitors may visit www.jpay.com for additional information.

Visiting

 

Visiting is limited to a maximum of three visitors per inmate at one time, including all children, unless special arrangements have been made in advance. Each visiting session counts as a separate visit.  Therefore, two visits on the same day shall count as two of the three visits allowed per inmate each month. 

Reservations

  • Visits are by appointment only and reservations can be made at this site. Customer support for visiting reservations can be reached at: (855) 208-7349 or visitorsupport@gtl.net
  • When making reservations, all visitors being scheduled for the visit must be listed on the reservation and be an approved visitor on the inmate's list.
  • Reservation requests will be accepted no less than 4 days and no more than 30 days in advance of visit.
  • Cancellations are accepted 5 days prior to the scheduled visit without penalty. 
  • Approved visitors may make a reservation up to 30 days in advance by calling directly to 330-743-0700 x2111. If you have any questions, you can call the shift office at any time at x2056.

Hours

Wednesday through Sunday:

  • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Closed on all Mondays, Tuesdays, and all state holidays.
  • Visiting hours are subject to change without notice. Please call the institution to verify visiting hours before planning a visit.

OSP Correctional Camp (Security Level 1) - Reservations Required

Wednesday through Sunday:

  • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Camp inmates may receive 4 visits per month
  • Closed on all Mondays, Tuesdays, and state holidays
  • Visiting hours are subject to change without notice. Please call the institution to verify visiting hours before planning a visit.

 

Click here for additional information.

OSP News

Student Internships at OSP?

Are you interested in becoming a student intern at Ohio State Penitentiary?

General Internship Requests:

An intern for the purpose of this Department is defined as a college or university student participating in a short-term, supervised educational work experience which produces a mutually beneficial work product.


Student Eligibility:

                                                                                                        

The student must at least eighteen (18) years of age and currently enrolled in a college or university accredited by the Ohio Board of Regents; outside of Ohio must be accredited by one (1) of the six (6) regional accrediting agencies;  must not be on any form of probation, parole or released from supervision within six months. 

The first step is to submit a letter of approval from their academic or college advisor outlining the purpose, length and number of hours required for the internship.  

Once the approval letter is received, complete an Intern application and release of information to have a background completed.  For general non-clinical internships, the student may print a Volunteer/Intern application on http://www.drc.ohio.gov/volunteers.  Completed applications may be sent to GCI Internship Coordinator/Unit Management Chief. 

Clinical Internship Requests:

The Bureau of Behavioral Health Services (BOBHS) has internships for students pursuing degrees in psychology, social work, and counseling. All requests for internship positions in the BOBHS can be submitted electronically by visiting http://www.drc.ohio.gov/internships. For additional information please contact the BOBHS Training and Education Manager at 614-728-1645.   

The Bureau of Medical Services (BOMS) has such specialized internships for students: physician, physician assistant, nursing as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, Bachelor degree, Master of Nursing degree, Doctoral of Nursing degree, medical assistant, phlebotomist, dietician, and dietary technician. All requests for internship positions in the BOMS shall be made directly to the BOMS Medical Education Manager at 614-752-1707.

Institutional Information

Date Opened 1998
Total Acreage 240
Accreditation Status Yes
Total Staff 337
Population (as of 7/1/19) 487

Unique Programs

Accepting Responsibility

 

This program helps inmates explore the "justification thinking errors" and addresses accepting responsibility for destructive behaviors.

Fear: The Anger Trigger

This program helps inmates take a look at their destructive force "anger" and how it impacts others and the thinking behind explosive anger.

OSP Wellness

 

Medical, Unit Staff, Recovery Services, Mental Health and Recreation provide education on topics related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Activities are structured to motivate inmates to be responsible for their well-being physically, mentally, and emotionally. Educational activities are provided on a weekly basis for six months.

TOPUCU (The Only Person You Cheat is Yourself)

TOPUCU is a program designed to transform your thinking and actions. TOPUCU is a transformational program designed to develop finishers. This program anticipates the challenges you may face for each stage of progress such as breaking bad habits, setting goals, staying motivated, managing your time and much more. Provides you with profound mind sets that help you finish..

Treatment Transfer

 

The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction established a Treatment Transfer Program at the Ohio State Penitentiary Camp in March of 2016 for community-based substance abuse disorder treatment for qualified offenders. The purpose of the program is to provide substance abuse disorder assessment and treatment through community treatment providers to help reduce substance abuse relapses and recidivism for qualified offenders while preparing them for reentry into the community and improving public safety.

Free on the Inside

Free on the Inside is an offender led group that was established in November 2016 at the Ohio State Penitentiary Correctional Camp (OSPCC). The mission of FOTI is to raise and maintain the morale within our offender community. FOTI is open to all offenders and at the end of the year 51% of the proceeds raised go to a charitable organization.

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) for Adults with Children

 

The Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a free program designed to help limited-resource families with children make healthier choices. The lessons are research-based and delivered with an interactive and hands-on approach. Participants increase skills in decision making related to nutrition, stretching food dollars, increasing physical activity, parenting, food safety and resource management. Participants also receive a food tasting and educational enhancements that encourage skill implementation outside the classroom.

Reversion Unit

National attitudes and the recent changes in American Correctional Association regarding restrictive housing has led to reviewing the issue of releasing restrictive housing inmates, directly to the community from a non-contact environment. The Reversion program was created to help try to reintegrate maximum security offenders from a restrictive housing environment to the community. The Reversion program provides inmates with appropriate programming, meaningful activities and pro-socialization with friends and family. Inmates are screened by a multidisciplinary team monthly to ensure that the participants are willing to participate. Screenings are generally limited to at least 6 months from release however there have been offenders that get in with longer than 6 months before release. Inmates selected for the program agree to participate in any programming provided in the program and agree to a higher standard of rules and regulations to ensure a pro-social environment.

New Roots

 

The New Roots program is a concept that was developed to prepare higher security level offenders for reentry into the community. This process begins 12 months prior to an offender’s release and continues throughout the remainder of their sentence. The New Roots process will include development of Transitional Skills, Work Shops, Cognitive Programming, family reintegration along with community and mentoring support. The development of transitional skills is to ease their transition from incarceration to life in the community. This part of the program consists of 9-weekly sessions that focus on a variety of topics to assist the offender and develop individual abilities. Workshops will promote their knowledge and use of services which include the Ohio Benefit Bank, Child Support, BMV, Job Skills, Veteran Services, and Financial Planning. Cognitive programming including Decision Points, consists of five comprehensive lessons which will be taught on a continuing basis. Studies have shown that cognitive programming can reduce recidivism. Family reintegration will bring the support person and the offender together in a workshop environment to encourage prosocial activities. The families will also be educated on issues and barriers the offender may face upon release. The program begins with a “Kick Off” and orientation process for the participants to provide motivation into the program.

Decision Points

Decision Points’ focus is on developing positive means of problem-solving by both cognitive restructuring and social skills interventions. Decision Points is comprised of 5 lessons and is a re-entry essential program. .

Offender Programs

Community Services

  • Adopt-A-School
  • Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley
  • Animal Charity of Ohio
  • Coitsville Township Fire Department

Academic

  • Adult Basic Education (ABLE)
  • Pre-GED
  • High School Equivalency (GED)
  • High School Options

Education Services

  • Computer Aided Instructional Laboratories (CAIL)
  • Correctional Education Association (CEA) Tutor Training (OSP camp)
  • Library Services
  • Ohio Reentry Connections
  • Special Education Services

Apprenticeships

  • Alteration Tailor
  • Cook (Any Industry)
  • Health Care Sanitary Technician
  • Janitor
  • Landscape Management Technician
  • Material Coordinator

Sustainability Initiatives

  • Roof replacement at O.S.P. the new roof was 25% better insulation [R- value] and is 80% better at reflecting heat [solar index].
  • We have installed 60 occupancy sensors that turn off lights when areas are not being occupied
  • 70 high mast lights 25 cobra lights, 20 perimeter lights are being replaced with L.E.D. fixtures in the spring, about a 50% savings per fixture.
  • O.S.P.C.C. dorm windows were replaced with better insulating units.
  • Replacement of 12 more efficient Veritable frequency drives on air handlers and pumps in powerhouse and penthouse.
  • We have replaced 80 pod lights with L.E.D. fixtures at about a 50% savings per light.
  • We have replaced a total of 107, 150 watt light fixtures in the support building with 60 watt[ C.L.F.] bulbs.
  • There is a Johnson Controls upgrade coming in the spring that will save on heating and cooling costs.

Reentry Approved Programs

  • Thinking for a Change
  • Inside Out Dad
  • Cage Your Rage
  • Victim Awareness
  • AOD Education
  • TTP TRP Program

Industries

  • Recycling

Reentry Essential Programs

  • Money Smart
  • Thinking Matters
  • Job Readiness
  • Respect
  • Mentoring
  • Current Affairs

Institution Videos

Coming soon!

Institutional Location

Institutional Literature