Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention

City Jail

Last Updated: February 16, 2025
Address
8101 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136
Beds
1162
County
Philadelphia
Phone
215-685-8730
Fax
215-685-8870
Email
louis.giorla@prisons.phila.gov

Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention is for City 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 City Jail - 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 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 Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention

You can support your loved ones at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 215-685-8730.

The Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention serves as a low/medium-security city detention center located at 8101 State Road in Philadelphia, PA. Operated locally by the police and sheriff's departments, it houses inmates and detainees awaiting trial or sentencing. Most sentenced inmates have terms of less than two years. The facility also accepts inmates from surrounding towns and occasionally from the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees are regularly admitted to the jail, with some being released on bail or placed under pretrial services caseloads. Others may be supervised by probation agencies or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who remain in custody await their court appearances at the facility, receiving accommodations such as bedding and meals.

For access to arrest records in Pennsylvania, you can view them here.

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 Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention.

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

Visiting hours for Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention are subject to change, so it's crucial to confirm them by contacting the facility directly by phone. Please reach out to 215-685-8730, on visitation procedures, applications, or directions to the facility in Philadelphia. Please note that visitors will undergo a thorough search before entering the premises, and personal belongings, including cell phones, are strictly prohibited. Individuals under probation, parole, or community corrections supervision must obtain approval from their supervising officer and the superintendent before visiting, although such visits are not typically approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention – Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention, and who is held here?
    is a City/Municipal Jail that primarily houses individuals arrested by local law enforcement. It holds pretrial detainees, individuals serving short sentences (less than 12 months), and those awaiting transfer to county or state facilities.

  2. How can I find out if someone is in custody at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    To check if someone is detained at , use the inmate locator on the website or call 215-685-8730. You may need the person’s full name and date of birth to obtain information.

  3. How long can someone be held at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Most individuals are held for less than 72 hours before being released, transferred to a county jail, or appearing before a judge. However, those serving short sentences may stay longer, depending on municipal policies.

  4. What happens during the booking process at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Booking includes fingerprinting, photographing, medical screening, warrant checks, and recording of charges. The individual is then assigned to a holding cell or general population while awaiting further processing.

  5. Can I post bail for someone being held at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Yes, bail can be posted at if the detainee is eligible. Bail payments may be made using cash, credit, or through a bail bondsman. Contact 215-685-8730 for specific bail procedures.

  6. What are the visitation rules at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Visitation is subject to facility-specific guidelines. Visitors must be pre-approved, provide valid identification, and comply with dress codes. Some city jails allow video visitation through the prison phone provider.

  7. How can I send money to an inmate at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Funds can be deposited into an inmate’s commissary account via an outside third-party money transfer company like JailATM, InmateCanteen, Western Union money orders, or lobby kiosks. Check their website for deposit instructions and allowable limits.

  8. Can inmates at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention make phone calls?
    Yes, detainees are allowed outgoing calls using their contracted phone carrier. Calls may be collect or prepaid, with time limits enforced. All calls are monitored and recorded.

  9. Can I send mail to an inmate at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Yes, inmates may receive letters, photographs, and approved reading materials. All mail is screened for contraband. Polaroids, explicit content, and certain materials are prohibited. Try this InmateAid app for sending letters, postcards or selfies to an inmate.

  10. Are attorneys allowed to visit inmates at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Yes, legal visits are allowed. Attorneys can visit in person during designated hours and must present bar credentials and client information. Legal calls may also be arranged.

  11. What medical care is available at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Basic medical, mental health and prescription medication services are provided. Inmates needing urgent care may be transported to a hospital for treatment.

  12. Are there work programs or educational services at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Many city jails focus on short-term detention, so educational or work programs may be limited. Some facilities offer substance abuse counseling, GED prep, or reentry support for eligible inmates.

  13. Can an inmate request a transfer from Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    No, inmates cannot request transfers. Transfers are determined by court orders, sentence length, and facility capacity. Some detainees are moved to county jails or state prisons based on their legal status.

  14. What happens when an inmate is released from Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Upon release, individuals may be discharged from the facility, transferred to another institution, or placed under probation supervision. Some detainees must appear in court for pending cases.

  15. Can someone be held at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention for unpaid fines or warrants?
    Yes, individuals with outstanding warrants or unpaid fines may be held until their case is resolved or a bond is posted. Warrant checks are conducted during the booking process.

  16. What happens to personal belongings when someone is booked into Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Personal property is collected, inventoried, and stored during booking. Upon release, individuals receive their belongings unless items are held as evidence.

  17. Can I pick up an inmate’s property if they are transferred from Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Yes, with written authorization from the inmate, a designated individual may retrieve personal property. Contact 215-685-8730 to arrange a pickup.

  18. How can I report concerns about an inmate’s safety at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Concerns can be reported to the Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention administration or the municipal police department overseeing the jail. In serious cases, contact legal representatives or advocacy groups for assistance.

  19. What should I do if I believe someone was wrongfully arrested and is being held at Philadelphia Prison System - Alternative & Special Detention?
    Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. The attorney can request court hearings, review charges, and determine the best legal course of action.

Ask The Inmate

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