Maximum security (men) · State Prison · ODOC

Oregon State Penitentiary

Salem, Marion County, Oregon

Visiting schedules change without notice. Always call before traveling.

Call Visiting Office: (503) 378-2597 Info last verified: June 2026

Oregon's only maximum-security prison for men and its oldest, in the state capital of Salem — historically home to the state's death row, which has since been emptied and the execution chamber ordered dismantled.

Statewide rules that apply at every Oregon state prison

These rules are set by ODOC and apply at every unit. The full list — including all permitted and prohibited items and the approval process — is in Visiting in Oregon.

Dress code

Footwear and undergarments are required; undergarments must not be visible through clothing, and underwire bras are not allowed because they trigger the metal detector.
No blue clothing or blue denim of any kind, and nothing camouflage — both resemble what adults in custody and staff wear.
Dresses, skirts, and shorts must reach the knee when standing; nothing sheer, see-through, low-cut, tight, or revealing, and no halter, tube, or crop tops.
No hats or head coverings except religious ones (which may be inspected), and nothing with gang symbols or with offensive or suggestive words or images.

ID: Every visitor must already be on the adult in custody's approved list (a records check is run on anyone 15 or older). Adults bring a government-issued photo ID for a contact visit; a visitor without photo ID may be limited to a non-contact visit.
What to bring: Almost nothing comes into the visit room — no phones, electronics, tobacco, or vaping. Visitors may bring a small amount of change for vending (commonly $15 to $20 — confirm with the facility), up to five photos, and a car key; lockers hold the rest.
Scheduling: The adult in custody builds the visiting list with the CD-50 application, and every visitor must be approved before scheduling. Whether visits are by appointment or first-come — and the days and hours — vary by facility, so confirm the specific prison's process before traveling.

Full statewide rules: Visiting in Oregon

Overview

The Oregon State Penitentiary, in Salem, is the state’s only maximum-security prison for men and its oldest, operating on its Salem site since 1866. It holds about 1,700 men, the highest-security male population in the state, behind a walled institution staffed around the clock. OSP historically held Oregon’s death row and execution chamber. Oregon has had a moratorium on executions since 2011; in 2022 the state commuted all death sentences to life and ordered the execution chamber dismantled, so there is effectively no death row now. The prison also runs an infirmary, a long-standing hospice program, and behavioral-health units.

What Makes Oregon State Penitentiary Different

It is Oregon’s only maximum-security prison, holding men at the highest custody level, with the strictest visiting rules.
It is the state’s oldest prison, on its Salem site since 1866.
It held Oregon’s former death row. That population has been moved to other housing after the 2022 commutations, and the execution chamber was ordered dismantled.
It is in the state capital, off I-5 — relatively central and reachable, with Amtrak and bus service into Salem.

Visiting

The statewide ODOC rules above — the approved list, the no-blue dress code, ID, and search rules — apply at Oregon State Penitentiary. The facility’s own schedule, which depends on a person’s housing:

The full approval process is in Visiting in Oregon.

Getting There and Parking

The prison is on State Street in Salem, a short distance east of downtown and I-5.

Distances are approximate, based on map routing. Visitor parking is on site.

Nearby Services

Salem, the state capital, has a full range of gas, food, and lodging, much of it downtown and along the I-5 corridor. The nearest 24/7 emergency room is Salem Health Salem Hospital at 890 Oak Street SE, about two miles away.

Mail

Personal mail goes to the facility, addressed with the person’s name as ODOC lists it and their SID number. Oregon is moving toward scanning personal mail to tablets, so confirm the current method before sending. Legal mail marked “LEGAL MAIL” goes to the facility and is opened in the person’s presence. Full rules are in Mail & Packages.

Learn More

For detailed information about visiting and communicating with someone in an Oregon state prison:

Visiting in Oregon — the approved list, the no-blue dress code, and ID rules
Mail & Packages — the SID number, paper rules, and the move to scanned mail
Phone & Video Calls — the ICSolutions account and tablets
Sending Money — trust-account deposits
Medical & Mental Health — health care and the Corrections Ombudsman
Transfers & Finding Someone — the one-year line, intake, and the locator

Sources

This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.