ODRC - Allen-Oakwood Correctional Facility (AOCI)

You can support your loved ones at Allen-Oakwood CI on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 419-224-8000.

Located at 2338 N West St in Lima, OH, Allen-Oakwood CI carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Allen-Oakwood CI offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on ODRC - Allen-Oakwood Correctional Facility (AOCI) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution is located in Lima, Allen County Ohio a facility of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. AOCI a mixed custody facility that houses minimum, medium, and close custody inmates with a population of approximately 1,500 inmates (most of whom are housed under minimum or medium security). A few prisoners are held under close or maximum security. Prisoners can participate in programs that will allow them to earn their GED or even a degree from the University of Findlay, located 30 miles northeast of the prison.

Notable inmates

• James Ruppert
• Donald Harvey
• Eric Paull
• Kyle Overmyer, Former Sandusky County Ohio Sheriff

Inmates have access to a variety of programs designed to further the inmate's education and increase their chance of success upon release. Special classes are offered in power equipment technology, turf management, carpentry, masonry, and plumbing.

Academic courses offered at Allen Oakwood CI include adult basic education, GED and pre-GED courses, and special education services. Inmates can learn a new discipline in the apprenticeship program, which teaches inmates skills in plumbing, custodial engineering, carpentry, animal training, tailoring and alterations, and quality control inspections. Additional vocational training is offered in horticulture, flooring, and power equipment technologies.

Community service programs at AOCI include two programs that allow inmates to work with dogs, an art and airbrush program, quilting/knitting program, and a "Mats for the Homeless" program.

The Chaplains office gives various worship services that inmates can choose to participate in.

Unique Programs

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship provides opportunities for eligible inmates to acquire new skills in a variety of trades, while preparing them for reentry, instilling confidence and making them more marketable for future employment.

Reading Room

The reading rooms encourage family literacy by providing a pleasant and comfortable setting for both child and incarcerated parent. Each room is stocked with a wide variety of children’s books and has an inmate narrator who reads to the visiting children twice a day. The role of the inmate narrator is to read picture books to the children in much the same manner that children’s hour would be done at a public library.

A variety of arts and craft supplies for the children are also available in most of the rooms. Many of the supplies and books are donated by employees and service organizations.

Offender Programs

Community Services

• Assistance Dogs of America
• Prisoners Helping Dogs
• Quilting-Knitting Program
• Mats/Sleeping Bags for the Homeless Program
• Bicycle Repair
• Mats for Homeless
• Various Inmate Groups

Academic

• Adult Basic Education (ABLE)
• Pre-GED
• GED
• High School Options
• Transitional Education Program (TEP)

Apprenticeship Programs

• Alteration Tailor
• Animal Trainer
• Carpenter
• Maintenance
• Janitor
• Plumber
• Quality Control Inspector

Education Services

• Computer Aided Instructional Laboratories (CAIL)
• Correctional Education Association (CEA) Tutor Training
• Ohio Reentry Connections
• Special Education Services
• Title One Services

Career-Technical (Vocational) Programs

• Horticulture
• Power Equipment Technology
• Resilient Flooring

Advanced Jobs Training Program

• Sinclair Community College

Q: What am I allowed to mail an inmate in prison?

A: You may correspond with an inmate via the U.S. Mail or through email using JPay services. For correspondence sent through the postal service, please include his or h er inmate number on the front of the envelope. The inmate number can be obtained by calling Central Inmate Records at 614-752-1076 or you can use our online offender search (found on the homepage). Prison addresses can be found by locating the institution on their individual sites. Inmates may receive the following in a first class letter:

• Photographs (5) no nude, no Polaroid (no larger than 5 x 7)
• Newspaper clippings (5) (no larger than 8 ½” x 11”)
• Pamphlets or brochures (5) (simple, single page, no larger than 8 ½” x 11”); bi fold or tri fold
• Blank stationery or copied material (5) pages, no larger than 8 ½” x 11” (including materials copied from the internet)
• Greeting cards must be single fold only (multi-fold, musical and/or “pop out” cards are prohibited)
• Postage stamps, laminated stickers, etc. are prohibited

Q: An inmate from an Ohio correctional institution is calling my home. What can I do to prevent this?

A: You can contact Global Tel*Link at 1-877-650-4249 to request that your telephone number be blocked.

Q: Why is it necessary to have a random announcement on the telephone line saying “this call originates from a correctional institution in Ohio,” when I was informed of the same thing before I accepted the call?

A: The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has granted inmates the privilege of making collect telephone calls to family and friends. Inmates have attempted to use the Inmate Call Out Program to engage in criminal activity such as telecommunication fraud and harassment while serving sentences in Ohio prisons. This announcement is designed to inform those who have not received the initial announcement should a third party become involved. Third parties are commonly added to calls by using “call transfer” or “3-way calling” features. Third party calls are not permitted.

Q: Why are there time limits on calls?

A: Time limits are imposed to allow all inmates to use the phone system. Each institution’s Warden sets the time limit based on the number of available telephones as well as the security level and behavior of the inmate population.

Q: What am I allowed to mail an inmate in prison?

A: The Inmate Food and Sundry Package program is subject to our Inmate Personal Property Policy. Inmates may order and receive food and sundry packages from vendors approved by the Director or designee. Keefe Group/Access Securepak, Union Supply Direct, and Walkenhorsts are approved vendors authorized to provide food and sundry packages to inmates housed in Ohio prisons. Food and Sundry packages ordered for inmates are required to be ordered through Keefe Group/Access Securepak, Union Supply Direct, or Walkenhorsts. Inmates have access to catalogs, flyers, and order forms for the programs at the institutions. Family members, friends and others (regardless of their inclusion on the inmate’s approved visitation list) may order food and/or sundry packages, subject to the limitations of AR 5120-9-33, from the approved vendor or vendors, for the benefit of a designated inmate. Institutions provide inmates with a list of items they may receive. The list may vary from prison to prison. It is the responsibility of the inmate to provide family members, friends, and others with the list and the proper mailing guidelines.

Q: Do Ohio prisoners have access to computers for e-mail correspondence?

A: No, Ohio inmates do not have direct access to e-mail. You may correspond with an inmate via the U.S. Mail or by using JPay, an innovative electronic mail system (this does NOT provide inmates with direct email or internet access).