Sending Mail and Photos to Lake Erie Correctional Institution

Mailing Address

Use this exact format for all inmate mail:

[Inmate Name #000-000]
501 Thompson Road
Conneaut, OH 44030

The first line should have the inmate’s full legal name followed by their ODRC offender number in the format shown. Missing the ODRC number causes delays or returned mail. If you don’t have the number, search the ODRC Offender Search at appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch or call (440) 599-4100.

Letters and Cards

Standard letters and cards are accepted at Lake Erie CI. Write clearly and use a standard envelope. Mail is inspected before delivery, so do not include anything beyond paper-based content unless you’ve confirmed it’s allowed. Avoid envelopes or paper with unusual coatings or strong scents.

Books and Magazines

Books and magazines must come directly from a publisher, bookstore, or approved online retailer such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You cannot send books from your home address, even if they’re new and sealed.

When ordering, enter the Lake Erie CI facility address as the shipping destination and include the inmate’s full legal name and ODRC number. Call (440) 599-4100 to confirm approved retailers or any title restrictions.

Photos

Photo rules at CoreCivic-operated ODRC facilities follow ODRC policy and can change. Call (440) 599-4100 before sending photos to confirm:

• Maximum number of photos per envelope
• Accepted print sizes (typically 4x6)
• Content restrictions (no sexual content, no gang symbols, no images that could compromise security)
• Whether laminated, framed, or adhesive photos are allowed

Packages

Package rules follow ODRC contract policy. Call (440) 599-4100 before sending any package to confirm what’s allowed, approved shipping methods, and any size or weight limits. Packages sent without prior confirmation may be refused.

Legal Mail

Mail from attorneys, courts, and government agencies is treated as privileged legal mail. It is opened only in the inmate’s presence to check for contraband, then delivered sealed. Mark the envelope “Legal Mail” and include bar number or firm letterhead if sending from a law firm.

What Gets Rejected

Mail is returned or rejected if it:

• Lacks the ODRC offender number
• Contains prohibited content
• Includes books or magazines shipped from a private address
• Contains contraband or items not approved under ODRC policy

If mail is returned and you’re unsure why, call (440) 599-4100 and ask the mailroom.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Lake Erie Correctional Institution is through Pigeonly. Upload your photos or write your letter online, and Pigeonly prints and mails everything to the facility for you, following the mail rules listed above.