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In-person visitation is available at all DOC facilities. Some visiting rules have changed, so please be sure to read this entire page and check out the updated Visiting Rules page, as well as the Visitor Guide before scheduling an in-person visit with an incarcerated loved one. This page also contains instructions on how to schedule a no-cost video visit.
All in-person visits must be scheduled online at least three days in advance.
Video visitation is a free service offered to inmates and authorized visitors. All inmates are eligible to participate. Rules for video visits are generally the same as those for in-person visits at a facility. All non-legal video visits are monitored and recorded. Please review our detailed Visitor Guide prior to your visit.
If you are an attorney, legislator or other professional visitor:
Inmates are informed of changes that may occur in visiting regulations.
It is the responsibility of each inmate to inform his/her visitor(s) of these changes.
Any violation of visiting regulations may result in the suspension of visiting privileges.
Visiting rules may vary slightly from prison to prison, but the rules are posted at each prison. Visitors should make sure to educate themselves about a specific prisons local visiting rules/policies.
Inmates in administrative custody or disciplinary custody have different visiting rules. Again, they are aware of the rules and should relay them to their visitors.
Vehicles must be locked while on prison property. Windows must be rolled up/closed, and all equipment must be secured in or on your vehicle (such as ladders, tool boxes).
Never bring any gifts or money for the inmate.
Cell phones and/or pagers are not permitted inside facilities. They must be properly secured in your locked vehicle prior to entering the facility.
Any kind of device, whether worn or hand held, that has the capability of audio and/or video/photography recording and/or cell phone capabilities is NOT permitted. This could include, but is not limited to, eye glasses, tie tacs, lapel pins, wrist watches, pens, etc.
No purses, bags, diaper bags, etc., are permitted.
Due to space restrictions, visits may be terminated on a first in, first out basis, to make room for visitors that may be waiting.
Visiting room officers may assign specific seating locations for visitors and inmates, especially for those who are suspected of or have displayed problems with obeying procedures.
Unused visits per week may not be carried over into the following week. Its a “use them or lose them” rule.
At most facilities, lockers are available for use (some may require a deposit ranging from .25 to $10). Items not permitted in the visiting room should either be left in your vehicle or placed in the locker. All vehicles and lockers are subject to search.
It is possible that an inmate may not wish to visit even though the visitor is at the prison. The DOC cannot force an inmate to conduct a visit if he/she does not wish to do so.
To ensure visitors get at least one hour with their inmate, visitors should arrive as early in the day as possible. In order to ensure a visit, visitors MUST arrive at least one hour prior to visiting room closure time.
Visitors should realize that some inmates have to walk across the prison compound to the visiting room area and then be processed for the visit – all which takes a significant amount of time. So arriving early ensures the best visiting experience.
It is suggested that visitors try to visit on weekdays rather than weekends, because weekends tend to be very busy.
Money never may be given to an inmate. To place money on an inmates account, visit www.jpay.com
Prisons will NOT accept money to be placed on an inmates account. Again, visit www.jpay.com
Profits from the visiting room vending machines benefit each facilitys Inmate General Welfare Fund.
Inmates shall never use/operate a vending machine. Visitors may purchase vending machine items for the inmate to consume during the visit.
Although vending machines may be available, visitors should not depend upon them being filled or in working order.
Visitors requiring medication during the visit (such as inhalers or insulin injections) must advise the visiting room officer and the lobby officer upon arrival at the prison and follow appropriate procedures. Visitors are responsible for providing their own medication(s).
Visitors with any kind of orthopedic hardware need to present a card, from the attending physician, documenting the hardware, in order to be granted a contact visit.
Visitors are responsible for supervision of and for keeping control of their minor visitors.
For prisons that allow money in visiting rooms, nothing larger than coins, $1 bills and $5 bills are permitted, with a total limit of $50. All cash must be contained in a clear plastic bag or small clear change purse. Staff will not make change.
Visiting rooms are smoke and tobacco free areas. Electronic cigarettes are not permitted.
There is no waiting area, so do not bring someone who cannot visit if they are intending to wait for you at the facility. Anyone who is not visiting shall be required to exit the facility grounds.
Who CANNOT visit:
For an inmate to be visited by anyone who is not permitted, the inmate must initiate the request to have a prohibited visitor added to his/her visiting list, and a recommendation must come from the inmates unit team. The facility manager or designee may permit such a visitor depending upon the approved DOC process. Individuals whose visiting privileges have been suspended may write to the appropriate facility manager seeking reinstatement of their visiting privileges. Reinstatement is not guaranteed.
Upon Arrival at the Prison:
Illegal drugs and/or paraphernalia, alcohol, weapons, cameras and tape/video/digital recorders are not permitted on prison grounds at any time.
Cell phones and/or pagers are not permitted inside facilities. They must be properly secured in your vehicle prior to entering the facility.
All visitor vehicles are subject to search.
Any driver/owner and passengers in the vehicle will not be permitted to visit if the driver/owner refuses a vehicle search and is subjected to visiting suspension.
You must lock your vehicle. Windows must be rolled up/closed, and all equipment must be secured in or on your vehicle (such as ladders, tool boxes).
Children and/or animals may not be left unattended in the vehicle.
Any alcohol, drugs and/or weapons found in the vehicle or on your person can result in the visit being denied and/or the Pennsylvania State Police being called to the prison.
At most prisons, if you drive a personal vehicle to the prison, you must register the vehicle information with the visiting room officer: year, make, model and license plate number.
Because prisons do have inmates perform janitorial services or duties outside of the prison perimeter, you are not permitted to have contact or conversations with them as you are reporting to the visiting room area. Doing so could jeopardize your visiting privileges.
While in the visiting room, you may not converse with other inmates or their guests.
Being Processed for the Visit:
All visitors, regardless of age, must have proper forms of identification in order to visit.
Adults must have one of the following proper forms of identification:
One of these forms of ID:
Two of these forms of ID, one of which must contain a physical description of the person:
NOTE: Any forms of identification presented that have passed the expiration date indicated on that document will not be accepted. Photo copies of any ID will NOT be accepted.
NOTE: One photo I.D. or two non-photo I.D.s required for all visitors, including children and infants.
A visitor who cannot produce acceptable identification will NOT be permitted to visit unless approved by the facility manager/designee.
A visitor who falsifies identifying information will be suspended/barred from the facility for a period of time determined by the facility manager/designee.
Anyone appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance will not be permitted into the prison.
You must be on the inmates visitors list. We cannot tell you if you are on the list. It is up to the inmate to inform his/her visitor(s). If you are not on the visitors list, you will not be permitted to visit.
You must be 18 or older to visit, unless you are accompanied by a parent or guardian who also is on the inmates visitors list or unless you are the legal spouse of the inmate.
You only may be on one inmates visitors list at a time.
Every visitor, regardless of their age, is subject to search.
If a visitor refuses to be searched before entering the prison, visiting privileges may be denied. If a visitor refuses to be searched while in the prison or upon leaving the prison, they may be detained until the appropriate law enforcement arrives.
Every visitor must successfully pass through a metal detector in order to be permitted into the visiting room.
Women should wear bras; however, they should NOT have underwire which will not successfully pass through a metal detector.
Facilities may use dogs to conduct passive drug screenings or special devices to detect illegal drugs. Failure to pass these screenings could result in your visit being denied.
At most facilities, but not all, lockers are available to store your personal items that are not permitted in the visiting room. At some facilities a refundable deposit may be required to use the lockers. Facilities that do not offer lockers will require items to be locked in your vehicle.
Visits cannot be split over several days – for instance, a visitor cannot come on Monday for one half-hour and then return on Tuesday for another one half-hour. Similarly, if an inmate or visitor terminates a visit for lunch, the visit may not be continued after lunch.
You will be required to sign in upon arrival and to sign out prior to leaving.
Minor Visitors:
All minors under 18 years of age must have the appropriate visitors form DC-313 or DC-313A signed by both the parent or legal guardian of the child and the inmates counselor or unit manager before the minor will be placed on the inmates list. Incarcerated parents are NOT permitted to sign these forms.
Form DC-313 would be completed if you intend for your child/minor to visit with an inmate who is NOT incarcerated for a physical or sexual offense against a minor. In this case, if approved, this visit would take place in the regular visiting room.
Form DC-313A would be completed if you intend for your child/minor to visit with an inmate who IS incarcerated for a physical or sexual offense against a minor. In this case, if approved, this will be a non-contact visit where the inmate is separated from the minor visitor by a glass partition. The facility manager/designee may grant contact visits for inmates meeting these criteria for special circumstances.
Children ages five and younger may be held by the inmate on his/her lap.
Babies:
Please feed your baby/babies before visiting.
Only if you have a baby in your visiting party may you take into the visiting room the following items:
-up to three UNopened commercially prepared and vacuum-sealed containers of baby food per infant. All containers will be opened by the inspecting officers.
-up to three clear plastic bottles of pre-mixed formula/white milk per infant.
-up to three diapers per infant. Diapers must be loose so they can be inspected.
-up to three pull-ups or training pants per infant.
-a reasonable number of wipes
NOTE: Some prisons allow one blanket, one change of clothing, one pacifier or one teething ring, one bib, one empty Sippy cup and one baby spoon. Check with the appropriate prison for their local policy.
All of these items must be placed in a clear plastic bag, which is provided in the visitor reception area. No other carrying container of any kind will be allowed.
NOTE: Some prisons do not allow baby wipes to be brought in because they already are available inside the visiting room. Check with the appropriate prison for their local policy.
Length of Visits:
Visits can be terminated due to violation of the visiting room rules, DOC policies, etc.
Any visitors privileges may be limited, suspended or restricted (such as non-contact visits only or a restriction on visiting at more than one facility) if information become available suggesting that allowing the individual to visit poses a threat to the safety and security of any prison.
Visits shall be no less than one hour in duration and shall occur during regularly scheduled visiting hours. Longer periods may be allowed depending upon the inmates custody level and available visiting room space.
In the event the visiting room is at full capacity, and more visits are to be conducted, visits will be terminated on a first-come, first-out basis provided the minimum visiting time of one hour has elapsed.
Number of Visitors:
The number of visitors any inmate may have at any one time may be limited depending upon available visiting room space. Each facility has designated the maximum number of visitors permitted per inmate, per visit and the maximum capacity of people, inmates and visitors permitted in the visiting area.
Items NOT permitted in the visiting room:
At no time shall visitors try to give inmates gifts or items (other than vending machine items).
At no time shall visitors try to give inmates money. Money only may be added to an inmates account using www.jpay.com.
Coats, jackets or other outer garments (excluding suit coats, sports jackets/blazers and or cardigan type sweaters).
NOTE: There are some prisons that also have outside visiting areas, where outerwear may be permitted. Please check with the appropriate prison regarding their local policies.
NOTE: Visitors requiring medication during the visit (such as inhalers or insulin injections) must advise the visiting room officer upon arrival at the prison and follow appropriate procedures. Visitors are responsible for providing their own medication(s).
Persons caught introducing contraband into the visiting room will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and will be permanently banned from visiting ALL prisons.
NOTE: The DOC reserves the right to add to this listing. Always check with the visiting room officer if there are questions.
Dress Code – What NOT to Wear:
Visitors are expected to dress appropriately and avoid clothing styles that are revealing or provocative.
Women should wear bras; however, they should NOT have underwire which will not successfully pass through a metal detector.
NOTE: The DOC reserves the right to add to this listing. Always check with the visiting room officer if there are questions.
Face veils or obstructive clothing:
Face veils or other articles of clothing that obstruct the view of an individuals face required by a female visitors religious beliefs are permitted to be worn inside the facility. To ensure for positive identification of the visitor, the following procedures will be followed for processing a visitor wearing a face veil or other article of clothing that obstructs the view of an individuals face when entering/exiting a facility:
1. In all instances a female staff member will be used to identify the visitor. When possible, a female corrections officer will be used. When a female corrections officer is not available, female staff from other departments (e.g., Medical, Business Office, Records, Food Services, etc.) will be used to process a female visitor and confirm his/her identity when leaving.
2. The removing or removal of the face veil or other article of clothing will be done in a location that affords the visitor privacy so as to not be seen by male individuals.
3. All face veils or other articles of clothing that obstruct the view of an individuals face must be moved or removed to allow the staff member an unobstructed view of the visitors face. After the staff member has viewed the visitors face the visitor will be instructed to place the face veil or other article of clothing back to its original position.
4. Before leaving the facility, the face veil must again be opened to confirm the identity of the visitor.
Conduct in the visiting room:
Inmates and/or visitors who become disruptive, use loud, abusive or obscene language or who engage in sexual behavior will have their visit terminated and may be placed on visiting privilege restriction.
Only upon meeting and departing, the visitor and the inmate may exchange a brief kiss and embrace.
Individuals with children are responsible for keeping control of their children.
Sitting or lying on the grass in an outdoor visiting area is prohibited.
Visitors and inmates are not permitted to sit on tables or to straddle seating or benches.
There will be no sitting on laps, except for small children (see the section on minor visitors for details about inmates holding children on their laps).
There shall be NO excessive kissing, petting, snuggling and/or grooming.
Cash/Vending Machines:
All prisons have vending machines in the visiting rooms.
Some prisons allow coins and cash, while others make you purchase tokens that can be used in the machines. See the attached chart to see what is permitted.
Where coins and cash are permitted, nothing larger than coins, $1 bills and $5 bills are permitted, with a limit of $50 total. All cash must be contained in a clear plastic bag or small clear change purse. Staff will not make change.
Only visitors may use/operate vending machines.
All food/drink items purchased from the vending machines must be consumed and disposed of in the visiting room.
As is mostly the case at prisons that have photo tickets and food vending cards -- Photo tickets and food vending cards MUST be purchased in the lobby area BEFORE the visit. Unused photo tickets and any balance remaining on the food vending card may be used during future visits.
Please note that prison vending cards are only good for use at that specific prison. If your inmate moves to another prison, you should work with the sending prison to obtain information about how you can get a refund of any remaining funds on that card. Then, at the new prison, you will have to begin using the vending card that is specific to that prison, if used.
Pictures Taken During Visits:
Many facilities allow visitors to purchase tokens or tickets to get pictures taken during visits.
Some facilities have a photo machine/booth that accepts dollars and coins (no gold dollars).
Please check with the appropriate facility to see what their local policy is with respect to purchasing photos while in the visiting room.
Special pre-arranged visits for long-distance travelers:
Special visits can be pre-arranged for persons who are not on an approved visitors list or who have traveled a substantial distance and for a family visit for a seriously ill or injured inmate. Special visits must be arranged by the inmate and approved by the facility manager/designee.
Service Dogs:
Disabled individuals are permitted to bring their service dogs into the visiting room.