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Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5 Prisons in Ohio

What are some Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 Prisons in Ohio State? we have listed all the facilities in the State of Ohio based on their Levels.

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Oct 20, 2023 • 5 min read

Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5 Prisons in Ohio

Ohio, the US state is often criticized for having too many citizens in jail. As per recent stats, there are well over 75,000+ prisoners, which often include inmates with low levels of crime. However, the state of Ohio takes pride in the correction services and believes this is the right way for them to govern their state as proper law and order is established through this.

The concerned department known as the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) looks at over 26 state prisons and has a budget of over $1.8 billion, which is also expected to grow in the coming years. The headquarters of the ODRC is located in Columbus.

How does the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction classify prison levels?

The ODRC has a uniform classification throughout the state and has developed appropriate infrastructure and facilities to ensure prisoners are kept in a place depending upon the nature of the crime they have conducted and thus sentenced to serve.

However, ODRC believes that their fundamental practice is to ensure whoever serves in the prison is given a sufficient environment to improve themselves as human being and serve as law-abiding citizens of the state. ODRC believes that the safety of their security personnel and the community can be better served this way.

In addition, ODRC has central principles that allow them to treat people quite differently based on the conduct they have done for them in the prison. It also believes the higher level of prison security should also serve as a warning to citizens, and it should be “harsher” enough to lead as a motivation to never go there.

On the other hand, ODRC says if a person is found to improve themselves, they are allowed to be placed in a less harsh environment. And, if the opposite happens, they will be placing further punishments on them.

As per the guidelines, these are what ODRC uses to determine which prisoner should go where:

History of the violence or disruptive behaviour
Age of the offender
Escape history of the inmate (if any)
If the inmate made any enemies or not
Gender identification
Sex of the offender
Medical status of the offender
Having mental or emotional stability
If the offender has any criminal history or not
The type of sentencing given to the inmate
An educational history of the inmate or the programs they took
STG affiliation
Been given any less restrictive security levels or not
Lastly, the notoriety of the offences committed by the offender

While keeping all of this in mind, ODRC will be placing the inmate to be on a higher level of security setting, or to be on a lower level of setting.

Thus, the offender will be placed in a prison that best suits them and their behaviour.

These are the following levels of classification as per ODRC:

Level 1: This is for low-level offenders or criminals. Level 1 is where prisoners are kept in a dorm rather than in an individual cell. They are given several rights, and freedom within the prison and also allowed to choose the maximum number of programs offered within the prison.
Level 2: This is for those offenders or criminals who have had a somewhat serious crime done in their past. This can include financial crimes as well. The prisoners are kept in a two-person cell and have access to some freedom including TV and some other forms of entertainment.
Level 3: This is for offenders with serious acts of crime. This can range from being taken apart in a murder, or physical abuse, among others. In level 3, the individual freedom or right to possess any form of entertainment is taken away. The privilege levels are very less, and inmates are kept in a cell of their own, so they face isolation. Many educational programs are closed for them.
Level 4: This is for serious offenders, and they are not allowed any forms of entertainment. Rather, be allowed very minimal services they can do. They are mostly made to remain within a smaller cell with one bunk bed, and restroom. Meals are served in their cells, rather than in a cafeteria.
ERH: This is the highest level of prison offered by ODRC. This is for those who have committed violent crimes, have disruptive behavior, and have done some predatory crimes. Inmates that pose a serious threat to the whole prison establishment are made to stay here, unless or until their behavior is improved.

In ERH, there are no windows in a prison cell. The only sunlight a prisoner gets to see is 1 hour each day, 5 days a week.

The only time a prisoner is allowed to leave the cell is when they are going to take a shower or use a restroom which is often accompanied by a guard.

Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and ERH criteria prisons in Ohio:

The ODRC has over 26 prisons, and as per ODRC’s arrangement, each prison can have overall 5 types of criteria, depending upon how big it is. ODRC believes this is the best way to manage prison and does not believe in dedicating an entire prison for one purpose. The following is where each prison falls: