Lehigh County PA Jail

County Jail

Last Updated: September 09, 2024
Address
38 N 4th St, Allentown, PA 18102
Beds
1352
County
Lehigh
Phone
610-782-3270
Fax
610-782-3450
Email
edsweeney@lehighcounty.org

Lehigh Co Jail is for County Jail offenders sentenced up to twenty four months.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for County - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are seeking to send your inmate money for commissary, one recommended for this facility is AccessCorrections There is a fee for sending money, see their rates and limitations.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of Lehigh County PA Jail

You can support your loved ones at Lehigh Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 610-782-3270.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Lehigh Co Jail is a detention center located at 38 N 4th St Allentown, PA which is operated locally by the Lehigh County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Lehigh County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Allentown Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Pennsylvania here.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

For comprehensive details regarding inmate policies, procedures, and expectations, please refer to the 41-page Inmate Handbook and Guidelines, available for review here in .pdf format.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in Pennsylvania. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Lehigh County PA Jail.

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

Visitation Information

At the Lehigh County Jail, general population inmates are allowed visits every three days on a rotating basis, depending on their housing unit assignment. The visitation schedule is posted in the designated section on the facility's website for reference. Inmates in administrative segregation are limited to one visit per week for 30 minutes, while those in disciplinary segregation may receive one 30-minute visit every 30 days, contingent upon their behavior. All visits are conducted through non-contact methods, utilizing telephones and glass partitions, ensuring no physical contact occurs between the inmate and visitors. It should be noted that all conversations during visits are subject to monitoring and recording.

The rules governing visitation are clearly defined to ensure orderly and secure operations. General population inmates are granted a minimum of one-half hour for visits, with extensions possible if no other visitors are waiting. Segregated inmates, however, are limited to strictly half-hour sessions. Each inmate is allowed a maximum of two visitors at a time, including infants or children. Additionally, visitors are restricted to one visit per day.

Visitors must provide accurate identification, including the inmate’s full name and identification number, to facilitate a smooth visitation process. Visitors aged 18 and older must present valid, government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Expired IDs and check-cashing cards are not accepted. For visitors under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany them, and a birth certificate listing the parent’s or inmate’s name must be provided at each visit. Photocopies of documents are not permitted, and it is the escorting adult’s responsibility to supervise the minor throughout the visit.

Visitors are expected to adhere to the facility’s dress code, which prohibits provocative attire. The Shift Commander has the authority to determine whether clothing is acceptable and may cancel visits if attire is deemed inappropriate. Hats, except religious headgear, must be secured before visits, and shoes are mandatory. Personal items, including coats and jackets, must also be secured before passing through metal detectors. A parent with a baby may bring limited items, such as one diaper, a blanket, wipes, and a bottle, while strollers must remain in the lobby.

Disruptive behavior, including disorderly conduct, vandalism, or lewd actions, will result in termination of the visit, and visitors may face suspension of privileges or financial liability for damages. All visitors, including children, are subject to search upon entering the facility and must comply with lawful orders from correctional staff. Failure to follow these guidelines may lead to the suspension or denial of future visitation rights.

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