Sending Mail and Photos to North Central Correctional Complex

Mailing Address

Use this exact format for all inmate mail:

[Inmate Full Legal Name, ODRC Number]
North Central Correctional Complex
670 Marion-Williamsport Road E
Marion, OH 43302

Put the inmate’s full legal name and ODRC offender number on the first line of the address. Missing the ODRC number causes delays or returned mail. If you don’t have the number, look it up at the ODRC Offender Search at appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch, or call (740) 387-7040.

Letters and Cards

Standard letters and cards are accepted. Write clearly and use a standard white or light-colored envelope. Mail is inspected before delivery, so do not include any items beyond paper-based content unless you’ve confirmed they’re allowed.

Avoid envelopes or paper with strong scents or unusual coatings, as these may be flagged during inspection. Use regular first-class postage.

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, even if the book is new and sealed.

When ordering, enter the facility address as the shipping destination. Include the inmate’s full legal name and ODRC number in the address field. Call (740) 387-7040 if you’re unsure whether a specific publisher or retailer is approved.

Photos

Photo rules at ODRC facilities can vary. Call (740) 387-7040 before sending photos to confirm current size, quantity, and content requirements. Standard policies at Ohio state facilities typically limit photos to a small number per envelope (often 5 to 10), require standard print sizes (4x6 is common), and prohibit images with sexual content, gang symbols, or images that could compromise security.

Do not mail photos laminated, in frames, or with adhesive backing unless the facility specifically allows it.

Packages

Package rules at NCCC follow ODRC contract policy. Call (740) 387-7040 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 and returned.

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 verify there are no contraband items, then delivered sealed. If you’re mailing legal documents on behalf of an attorney or legal organization, mark the envelope “Legal Mail” and include the attorney’s bar number or law firm letterhead if possible.

What Gets Rejected

Mail is rejected or returned if it:

• Lacks the inmate’s ODRC number
• Contains contraband (items beyond paper-based content that haven’t been pre-approved)
• Comes from an unauthorized sender
• Contains inappropriate content under ODRC policy
• Includes books or magazines sent from a private address

Rejected mail is returned to the sender when possible. If you receive a returned piece and don’t know why it was rejected, call (740) 387-7040 and ask the mailroom.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at North Central Correctional Complex 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.