Visitation at Lake Erie Correctional Institution

Visitation Schedule

Lake Erie CI runs three sessions every Thursday through Sunday. Each session is 2.5 hours.

Session	Visit Hours	Arrival / Processing Window
Morning	8:00 AM to 10:30 AM	7:30 AM to 9:15 AM
Afternoon	12:00 PM to 2:30 PM	11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
Evening	3:00 PM to 5:30 PM	2:45 PM to 4:00 PM

Arrive during the processing window for your session. Arriving before or after that window may result in being turned away. If the visiting room is not at capacity, you may request to stay for an additional session, but it counts as a second visit for the month.

Step 1: Get Approved as a Visitor

Before you can book a visit, you need to be an approved visitor. Complete Visiting Application Form DRC2096 and submit it to Lake Erie CI. Once processed, you’ll be cleared to schedule visits. Call (440) 599-4100 ext. 25829 to confirm your approval status.

Attorneys and official visitors follow a separate approval process.

Step 2: Minors

All visitors under 18 must complete Authorization for Minor Child Visit form DRC4371. Minors must either be related to the offender or accompanied by an approved visitor who is the child’s parent, legal guardian, or guardian as defined in ODRC policy.

Step 3: Make a Reservation

Call the visiting department at (440) 599-4100 ext. 25829, Wednesday through Sunday, between 7:45 AM and 2:15 PM. You’ll need the inmate’s full name and ODRC number to book.

Reservations can be made 7 to 30 days in advance. No same-week or same-day scheduling is available.

Cancellation rule: If you cancel with less than 7 days’ notice, or don’t show up, the visit counts against the inmate’s monthly allowance. Visits denied due to dress code violations or other rule violations also count.

ID Requirements

Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID is accepted. Expired IDs will not be accepted.

Dress Code

All attire worn when entering the facility must be worn throughout the entire visit. The following are not permitted:

• See-through clothing of any kind
• Tops or dresses exposing the midriff, with open backs, or open sides (halter tops, tube tops, cropped tops, tank tops, muscle shirts)
• Low-cut clothing that exposes the chest
• Clothing that exposes undergarments
• Skirts, dresses, or shorts with the hem or slit above the mid-knee
• Wrap-around skirts or break-away pants
• Gang-related markings
• Obscene or offensive clothing
• Form-fitted Spandex or Lycra clothing (leotards, bicycle shorts, tight jeans, tight pants)
• Clothing with inappropriate holes, rips, or shoulder cut-outs

No extra clothing can be carried into the facility. Outerwear (coats, gloves) may be removed inside. Appropriate undergarments (bra, slip, underwear) are required.

What You Can Bring

No purses, handbags, or backpacks are permitted. Visitors are allowed:

• One wristwatch or pocket watch
• Diaper bags and infant carriers (subject to search; clear plastic bags preferred)
  • A reasonable number of diapers and baby wipes
  • Up to three plastic baby bottles
  • Up to three plastic containers of baby food
  • One pacifier

Security Screening

All visitors pass through a metal detector. If you have a documented medical condition that prevents clearing the metal detector, contact the facility in advance at (440) 599-4100) to make arrangements.

Park in the far west end of the parking lot when you arrive.

Getting to Lake Erie CI

Lake Erie Correctional Institution is at 501 Thompson Road in Conneaut, Ohio. Conneaut is in the far northeast corner of Ohio on Lake Erie, about 20 miles east of Ashtabula and about 70 miles northeast of Cleveland. The facility sits a few miles from the Pennsylvania border. There is no public transit to the facility. Plan for personal transportation.