Ohio's prison system -- the sixth-largest in the country, with 27 adult prisons and approximately 45,833 prisoners as of December 2025 -- uses "restrictive housing" as its official term for solitary confinement. Ohio's approach is governed by Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules, not statute. The most relevant rules are OAC 5120-9-10 (restrictive housing assignments) and OAC 5120-9-11 (placement pending investigation), which include a specific protection: when restrictive housing extends beyond 21 days, the ODRC director must verify whether the person is seriously mentally ill -- and if so, an alternate placement is required.
Ohio has undertaken administrative reforms since 2013, reducing its restrictive housing population by 39% between 2013 and 2016 and implementing "presumptive release" to allow earlier security level reductions. Ohio has no statute limiting the duration of solitary confinement or prohibiting placement of vulnerable populations in restrictive housing.
What Solitary Confinement Is Called in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) uses "restrictive housing" as its primary term. Ohio also uses "local control," "disciplinary control," "protective custody," and "administrative segregation" for various types of restricted housing. The ACLU of Ohio characterizes all of these as forms of solitary confinement when they involve 21 or more hours per day of isolation.
Ohio classifies prisoners using a security level system (levels 1-4, E, and ET). Key classifications for restrictive housing:
- Security Level 5b: highest restriction level; constitutes solitary confinement conditions at all times.
- Security Level 5a: also constitutes solitary confinement conditions.
- Security Level 4b: also constitutes solitary confinement conditions.
- Security Level E ("E Class"): most restrictive security control measures. The ET classification is a transitional step down from E toward Level 4.
The primary restrictive housing types:
Restrictive Housing: The umbrella term under OAC 5120-9-10 for placement in a cell with restricted privileges, movement, and programming.
Limited Privilege Housing: A less restrictive alternative to full restrictive housing, used during investigations or as an intermediate placement. OAC 5120-9-11 requires that seriously mentally ill prisoners in restrictive housing beyond 21 days be moved to limited privilege housing, a mental health unit, or other appropriate placement.
Local Control: Administrative separation for ongoing security management.
Disciplinary Control: Post-hearing punitive isolation for rule violations, with a defined sanction term.
Protective Control: Separation for the person's own safety.
Ohio Administrative Code Protections
OAC 5120-9-10 (restrictive housing assignments):
- Restricts cell privileges only as long as "reasonably necessary."
- Requires weekly written reporting by the chief of security to the managing officer on all prisoners denied cell privileges.
- Expressly states: "In no event shall access to kite, medical, mental health, or legal services be denied."
OAC 5120-9-11 (placement pending investigation):
- Placement in restrictive housing (vs. limited privilege housing) requires that the person "poses a threat or danger to himself or others, to institutional property or to the security of" the facility.
- For placements extended beyond 21 days: the director or director's designee must consult with the managing officer to verify the person is not seriously mentally ill.
- If the person is seriously mentally ill: alternate arrangements must be made -- limited privilege housing, a mental health unit, or another appropriate placement. Restrictive housing is prohibited.
Mental Illness Protections
Ohio's OAC 5120-9-11 provides a specific protection for seriously mentally ill (SMI) prisoners: after 21 days in restrictive housing, a mandatory SMI review is required, and if the person is SMI, they must be moved to an alternate placement. This is an administrative rule protection, not a statutory right.
ACLU of Ohio and Disability Rights Ohio have noted that ODRC has removed individuals with serious mental illness from restrictive housing as a result of advocacy pressure, but that formal policy protections should be stronger and consistently applied.
ODRC also maintains Office of Holistic Services (OHS) specialized residential treatment units -- Residential Treatment Units, Dementia Units, Intellectual/Developmental Disability Units, Assisted Living Units, Day Treatment Programs -- designed to balance security needs with treatment for prisoners with medical or mental health conditions.
Administrative Reforms
Since 2013, ODRC has implemented several administrative reforms:
- 39% reduction in restrictive housing population between 2013 and 2016 (from a higher baseline to approximately 2,055 as of July 2016).
- As of July 2016: 57% of those in restrictive housing had been there 30+ days; 116 had been there more than 1 year; 128 were severely mentally ill.
- Presumptive release: ODRC policy allowing prisoners to reduce their security level months or years earlier than under prior policies, including movement out of restrictive housing.
- Goal of continuing to depopulate the most extreme security levels and levels constituting solitary confinement conditions.
These are administrative policies. Ohio has no statute requiring or codifying these reforms.
What Families Can Do
If your person is in restrictive housing or a high security level in an Ohio state prison:
Find where your person is housed. ODRC provides an offender search at drc.ohio.gov. This confirms current facility, security level, and housing status.
Know the security level. Ask what security level your person is currently classified at. Levels 5b, 5a, and 4b constitute solitary confinement conditions. Level E is the most restrictive. Level ET is a transitional step down from E. If you do not know the security level, ask the facility classification officer.
Know the 21-day SMI review requirement. Under OAC 5120-9-11, if your person has been in restrictive housing for more than 21 days, ODRC is required to verify whether they are seriously mentally ill. If they are SMI, they cannot remain in restrictive housing -- alternate placement is required. If your person has a diagnosed serious mental illness and has been in restrictive housing beyond 21 days, document this and file a grievance.
Know the services that cannot be denied. Under OAC 5120-9-10, access to medical, mental health, and legal services cannot be denied during restrictive housing. If your person is being denied any of these, file a grievance immediately.
Ask about presumptive release. ODRC's presumptive release policy allows earlier security level reductions. Ask the facility classification officer whether your person is on a pathway to security level reduction and what criteria must be met.
File a grievance. ODRC has an administrative grievance process. Help your person file formal grievances for: violations of OAC 5120-9-10 (denial of medical, mental health, or legal access); violation of OAC 5120-9-11 (failure to conduct SMI review after 21 days; failure to provide alternate placement for SMI prisoners); or conditions that fall below the OAC standards.
Contact the ACLU of Ohio. The ACLU of Ohio (acluohio.org) has run a "Shining a Light on Solitary Confinement" campaign and monitors ODRC practices. They can provide referrals and advocacy support.
Contact Disability Rights Ohio. DRO (disabilityrightsohio.org) has jointly advocated with the ACLU of Ohio for stronger Ohio solitary confinement protections, particularly for people with mental illness.
Seek legal help. If your person is seriously mentally ill and has been in restrictive housing beyond 21 days without alternate placement, if medical or mental health services are being denied, or if the 21-day SMI review has not been conducted, consult a prisoner rights attorney familiar with Ohio federal courts.
Frequently asked questions
What is solitary confinement called in Ohio prisons?
ODRC uses "restrictive housing" as its primary umbrella term, governed by OAC 5120-9-10 and 5120-9-11. Subcategories include local control, disciplinary control, protective control, and limited privilege housing. The ACLU of Ohio identifies security levels 5b, 5a, and 4b as constituting solitary confinement conditions (21+ hours/day). Security Level E is the most restrictive classification, with ET as a transitional step down.
What security levels equal solitary confinement in Ohio?
Security levels 5b, 5a, and 4b result in solitary confinement conditions at all times (21+ hours per day of cell restriction). Level E ("E Class") is the most restrictive security control level. Security level ET is a transitional step down from E toward Level 4. Standard security levels run from 1 (least restrictive) through 4, with E above them.
What are conditions like in Ohio restrictive housing?
People in restrictive housing at Ohio's highest security levels are in their cells 21 or more hours per day. Programming, movement, social interaction, and privileges are severely restricted. Under OAC 5120-9-10, certain cell privileges may be denied, but access to medical, mental health, and legal services cannot be denied. Weekly written reporting to the managing officer is required for anyone denied cell privileges. ODRC's OHS units (Residential Treatment Units, etc.) are specialized placements for people with medical or mental health conditions.
How long can someone stay in solitary in Ohio?
Ohio has no statute limiting the duration of restrictive housing. The most significant regulatory protection is the OAC 5120-9-11 requirement that after 21 days, the director must verify whether the person is seriously mentally ill -- and if so, arrange alternate placement. As of July 2016, 116 people had been in Ohio restrictive housing for more than 1 year. ODRC's presumptive release policy is intended to accelerate security level reductions.
Are mentally ill prisoners protected from solitary in Ohio?
Partially, through OAC 5120-9-11: after 21 days in restrictive housing, ODRC must verify whether the person is seriously mentally ill. If they are, alternate placement is required (limited privilege housing, mental health unit, or other appropriate placement) -- continued restrictive housing is not permitted. This is an administrative rule, not a statute. ACLU of Ohio and DRO have documented that ODRC has been removing SMI individuals from restrictive housing, but advocate for stronger formal protections.
What Ohio rules govern restrictive housing placements?
OAC 5120-9-10: governs restrictive housing assignments generally; prohibits denial of medical, mental health, or legal services; requires weekly reporting on anyone denied cell privileges. OAC 5120-9-11: governs placement pending investigation; requires that full restrictive housing (vs. limited privilege housing) only be used when the person poses a threat; mandates SMI review after 21 days and alternate placement for SMI individuals. OAC 5120-9-07 and 5120-9-08 govern disciplinary processes.
What is Ohio's presumptive release policy?
Presumptive release is an ODRC administrative policy that allows prisoners to reduce their security level months or years earlier than under prior classification policies. It is intended to accelerate movement out of high-security restrictive housing classifications. Eligibility and criteria are determined by ODRC classification staff; contact the facility classification officer to ask whether your person is on a presumptive release pathway.
Does Ohio have a law limiting solitary confinement?
No. Ohio's restrictive housing framework is entirely governed by Ohio Administrative Code rules (OAC 5120-9-10, 5120-9-11, and related rules), not by statute. Administrative rules can be changed by ODRC without legislative action. The ACLU of Ohio and DRO have called for stronger statutory protections, but no such law has been enacted.
Can families visit someone in Ohio restrictive housing?
Visiting is typically restricted during restrictive housing, though the extent of restrictions depends on the specific housing type and security level. Under OAC 5120-9-10, no access to legal services can be denied. Contact the specific ODRC facility directly to confirm current visiting rules before traveling. Facility contact information is at drc.ohio.gov. Written mail generally retains stronger protections than phone or in-person visits during restrictive housing.
What can families do if someone is in Ohio solitary?
Use ODRC's offender search at drc.ohio.gov to find your person's current facility and security level. Know which security levels constitute solitary confinement conditions (5b, 5a, 4b, E). If your person has been in restrictive housing more than 21 days and has a serious mental illness, the OAC requires alternate placement -- document and file a grievance. Know that medical, mental health, and legal services cannot be denied. Ask about presumptive release eligibility. Contact ACLU of Ohio (acluohio.org) or Disability Rights Ohio (disabilityrightsohio.org) for advocacy support. ---
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