Chain O' Lakes Correctional Facility

By Chris Smith, 4 April, 2024
Description of Facility

Chain O' Lakes Correctional Facility, also known as Chain O' Lakes Community Re-Entry Center, is located in Noble County. The facility is situated within the Chain O' Lakes State Park. Established in 1967, this facility has a maximum capacity of 140.

While incarcerated at Chain O' Lakes, inmates work on a variety of service crews in Northeastern Indiana. Some of these responsibilities include maintaining local state parks, landscaping for the surrounding communities, and helping to sandbag regions during inclement weather.

Facility Telephone Number
260-636-3114
Facility Address

Chain O'Lakes Community Re-Entry Center
3516 E 75
South Albion, IN 46701
United States

Inmate Mailing Address

Inmate's Full Name, DOC Number
Chain O'Lakes Community Re-Entry Center
3516 E. 75 South
Albion, IN 46701
United States

What you can send an inmate

 Anyone incarcerated in Indiana is allowed to receive correspondence during their incarceration.  In order for you to send mail to an inmate in Indiana their are a few things you'll need to know:

  • You will need to know the inmate's Full name and DOC Number.
    You can find this information by doing an inmate search.
  • Always include your full name and return address on the envelope and on the letter (include the inmate's information on the letter as well).

Inmates may receive the following:

  • Letters
  • New soft cover books from the publisher, distributor, non-profit ministry, or institution of higher learning.  (used books are allowed but must be free of all marks, drawings, or is altered in anyway it will be rejected)
  • New magazines and newspapers sent directly from the publisher (must not contain nudity)

All mail sent to an inmate must have the following:

  • Inmate's Full Name
  • Inmate's DOC Number
  • Inmate's Housing Location
  • Inmate's Mailing Address
  • The full name and address of the sender

You can read the Indiana Department of Corrections policy on inmate correspondence here.

How Inmate Calls Work

Indiana inmates are allowed to use telephones and can make outgoing collect calls.  In addition, you can purchase prepaid collect calls through GTL's AdvancePay.  This allows you to receive inmate phone calls on a cell phone.  You will need to setup an account by visiting the GTL ConnectNetwork website.  

How to send money to an inmate

   Indiana Department of Corrections allows you to send money to an inmate.  Some important things to know about sending money to an inmate in Indiana:

  • Inmates have six different accounts
    1. A Trust Fund Account is used by the inmate to purchase items from the commissary, including snacks/food, hygiene items, and other items.
    2. AdvancePay Phone Account is used by the inmate to make phone calls only to you.  This works like pre-paid minutes.
    3. Pin Debit Phone Account is used by the inmate to call anyone on their phone list.
    4. Debit Link Account is used for messaging, and services that allow subscriptions for music, movies, and books.
    5. Message Link Account is used for messages only.  You can send photos and video to an inmate but they are unable to respond with photos and videos.
    6. Video Visitation Account is used for a virtual visit with your inmate from the comfort of where ever you are using your telephone.  $3.30 per 10 minutes $8.25 per 25 minutes. Setup a video visitation account here.

Fund an Indiana inmate accounts through the following methods:

  • Online:  through GTL's ConnectNetwork website.
  • By Mobile App: App is Called ConnectNetwork available on Apple and Android.
  • By Telephone: You can fund the following accounts:
    • AdvancePay Phone Account: 1-800-483-8314
    • Pin Debit Phone Account: 1-855-706-2445
    • Trust Fund Account: 1-888-988-4768
  • By Mail:  Fund a Trust Account up to $300, using a money order and a deposit slip via the mail.
    • Fill out and print a deposit form and include it with your money order.
    • Make the money order payable to: "GTL Financial Services"
    • Send the completed deposit slip and money order to:
      • GTL Financial Services
        2603 NW 13th Street
        P.O. Box 328
        Gainesville, FL 32609-2835
How to do an Inmate Search

 In order to send money, visit, or send correspondence to an inmate in Indiana, you will need to know the inmate's DOC number.  You can find the inmate's identification number, sentencing information, and much more by searching the Indiana inmate database.

Visiting Information/FAQs

You must fill out an Indiana inmate visitors application and be approved before you can visit an inmate.  To visit an inmate in Indiana you must do the following:

  • All visitors 18 and older, are required to fill out Form-14387 an Indiana inmate visitors application, complete, sign and mail this form to: "Attention: Counselor of inmate's name" at the facility mailing address they are housed at.
  • If you are visiting with a minor you will need to fill out form 48965.
  • Familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of being a visitor, by reading the facility visiting rule and regulations.
  • Once you are approved, you must register a ViaPath Account which will let you schedule in person and virtual visits.
  • Once you are registered, you can Schedule a visit to see your inmate here.
  • You will need to bring a valid government issued photo ID to enter into visitation.  All visitors 16 and older will need a valid photo ID.
  • Children under 3 months old are not permitted to visit.
  • Visitors may enter into the facility no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the visit.
  • Always check your e-mail for updates to a scheduled visit, and to ensure the facility has not cancelled your visit for any reason.
  • Visits are one hour in duration.
  • You may visit once every 14 days.
  • A hug or embrace or handshake is allowed at the start and end of the visit.  NO kissing is allowed.

You are allowed to bring the following into visitation:

  • A single wedding or engagement ring
  • Medical necklace/bracelet or religious necklace
  • One set of small post earrings, body piercings must be removed before visiting.
  • Up to $20 in quarters to purchase items from the vending machines
  • Life saving medication with documentation
  • Tissue or handkerchief
  • Eyeglasses
  • A single vehicle key or key FOB
  • A soft brace that is removable is allowed
  • If traveling with a small baby you can bring a single empty baby bottle, an empty sippy cup, one pacifier and one receiving blanket.
  • A maximum of three visitors and a single lap child are allowed per visit.

Visiting Hours for Chain O'Lakes Community Re-Entry Center:
Saturdays and Sundays
By Appointment Only

Arrive at the facility a maximum of 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time.

Schedule your visit at Chain O'Lakes Community Re-Entry Center. 

Visitors are searched before entering into visitation.

Dress Code and Visiting Rules

  • No halter tops or crop tops
  • Midriff is required to be covered
  • No sleeveless dresses or tops
  • No see-through or sheer garments
  • No revealing dresses, blouses or tops
  • No spandex or tight fitting jeans/pants
  • No clothing with decorative accessories or holes, tears, rips
  • Proper underwear must be worn at all times, NO underwire bras
  • No costume jewelry
  • No electronics of any kind.  This includes cell phones, beepers, laptops, tablets, fit bits or other electronic devices.
  • No clothing that contains profanity, or be symbolic of drugs or gangs, sexual symbols, or contain offensive or threatening language/images are prohibited
  • Visitors are allowed a single bathroom trip only
  • If you leave the building you will not be permitted re-entry

Indiana Inmate Video Visitation
Video visitation is provided through a partnership with ViaPath Global Tel Link (GTL).  There is a fee of $3.30 per 10 minute video visit, or $8.25 per 25 minute visit.

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