Map Loading... Scroll Down

Helpful Services:

Pennsylvania State Prisons

Legal Editor
Henry Dahut, J.D.
Henry Dahut, J.D.
Attorney - Legal Publisher - Educator

Henry Dahut is a licensed California trial attorney. Over the course of his 30-plus years practicing law, Henry has represented and counseled countless clients in legal trouble.
Read more →
Contributor
Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas
Prison Reform Expert
Robert Thomas is a Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University, where his doctoral research focuses on mass incarceration, restorative justice and prison reform. His expertise includes critical legal studies and the political history of the United States prison system.
Read more →

The following is a detailed summary of the Pennsylvania State Prison System, with citations, research sources, and weblinks:

Overview

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) operates the state’s prison system. As of 2021, Pennsylvania had an incarceration rate of 356 per 100,000 residents, which was slightly lower than the national average.[1] The PADOC operates 23 state correctional institutions housing approximately 37,000 inmates.[2]

Locating an Inmate

Inmate information can be located using the PADOC Inmate Locator online database.[3] Searches can be conducted by inmate name or number.

Visitation

Visitation rules vary by facility, but in general, visits are allowed on weekends and some holidays. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list and must schedule visits in advance. The number of visitors, length of visits, dress code, and items allowed are regulated.[4]

Security Classifications:

Level 5 – Maximum Security
Level 4 – Close Security
Level 3 – Medium Security
Level 2 – Minimum Security
Level 1 – Community Corrections [5]

Parole

The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole considers factors such as the nature of the offense, criminal history, institutional behavior, risk assessments, and input from victims when making parole decisions. If granted parole, the inmate is released under supervision with conditions.[6]

Prison Programs

The PADOC offers a range of programs, including:

Education: Adult Basic Education, GED, vocational training, post-secondary education
Vocational Training: Carpentry, welding, HVAC, cosmetology, and more
Treatment Programs: Substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, sex offender treatment
Reentry Programs: Job readiness, life skills, housing assistance.[7]

Pros and Cons of the Pennsylvania State Prison System

PROS

Offers a wide range of rehabilitative programs
Utilizes a standardized risk assessment tool (ORAS) to inform decisions [8]
Has reduced its prison population in recent years [9]

CONS

Overcrowding remains a persistent issue [10]
Aging infrastructure, with many facilities over 50 years old [11]
High cost, with an annual budget of over $2 billion [12]

Pennsylvania Prison News (ABC Local News)

Pennsylvania Law Changes How Women Are Treated In Pennsylvania Prisons:

Web Sources & References

PENNSYLVANIA STATE PRISONS:

SCI Albion

SCI Albion
10745 Route 18
Albion, PA 16475-0001

Telephone: (814)-756-5778

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Albion
10745 Route 18
Albion, PA 16475-0001

Benner Township State Correctional Institution

Benner Township State Correctional Institution
301 Institution Drive
Bellefonte, PA 16823

Telephone: (814)-353-3630

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Benner Township State Correctional Institution
301 Institution Drive
Bellefonte, PA 16823

Cambridge Springs State Correctional Institution

Cambridge Springs State Correctional Institution
451 Fullerton Avenue
Cambridge Springs, PA 16043-1238

Telephone: (814)-398-5400

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Cambridge Springs State Correctional Institution
451 Fullerton Avenue
Cambridge Springs, PA 16043-1238

Camp Hill State Correctional Institution

Camp Hill State Correctional Institution
2500 Lisburn Road
Camp Hill, PA 17001

Telephone: (717)-737-4531

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Camp Hill State Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 200
Camp Hill, PA 17001

Chester State Correctional Institution

Chester State Correctional Institution
500 E. Fourth Street
Chester, PA 19013

Telephone: (610)-490-5412

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Chester
500 E. Fourth Street
Chester, PA 19013

Coal Township State Correctional Institution

Coal Township State Correctional Institution
1 Kelley Drive
Coal Township, PA 17866-1020

Telephone: (570)-644-7890

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Coal Township
1 Kelley Drive
Coal Township, PA 17866-1020

Dallas State Correctional Institution

Dallas State Correctional Institution
1000 Follies Rd
Dallas, PA 18612

Telephone: (570)-675-1101

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Dallas State Correctional Institution
Follies Road, Drawer K
Dallas, PA 18612-0286

Fayette State Correctional Institution

Fayette State Correctional Institution
50 Overlook Drive
LaBelle, PA 15450

Telephone: (724)-364-2200

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Fayette
P.O. Box 9999
LaBelle, PA 15450

Forest State Correctional Institution

Forest State Correctional Institution
286 Woodland Drive
Marienville, PA 16239

Telephone: (814)-621-2110

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Forest
P.O. Box 945
Marienville, PA 16239

Frackville State Correctional Institution

Frackville State Correctional Institution
1111 Altamont Boulevard
Frackville, PA 17931-2699

Telephone: (570)-874-4516

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Frackville
1111 Altamont Boulevard
Frackville, PA 17931-2699

Graterford State Correctional Institution

Graterford State Correctional Institution
Graterford Road
Graterford, PA 19426

Telephone: (610)-489-4151

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Graterford
P.O. Box 244
Graterford, PA 19426

Greene State Correctional Institution

Greene State Correctional Institution
175 Progress Drive
Waynesburg, PA 15370

Telephone: (724)-852-2902

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Greene
175 Progress Drive
Waynesburg, PA 15370

Houtzdale State Correctional Institution

Houtzdale State Correctional Institution
209 Institution Drive
Houtzdale, PA 16698

Telephone: (814)-378-1000

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Houtzdale
P.O. Box 1000
Houtzdale, PA 16698-1000

Huntington State Correctional Institution

Huntington State Correctional Institution
1100 Pike Street
Huntingdon, PA 16654-1112

Telephone: (814)-643-2400

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Huntington
1100 Pike Street
Huntingdon, PA 16654-1112

Laurel Highlands State Correctional Institution

Laurel Highlands State Correctional Institution
5706 Glades Pike
Somerset, PA 15501

Telephone: (814)-445-6501

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Laurel Highlands
P.O. Box 631
Somerset, PA 15501

Mahanoy State Correctional Institution

Mahanoy State Correctional Institution
301 Morea Road
Frackville, PA 17932

Telephone: (570)-773-2158

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Mahanoy State Correctional Institution
301 Morea Road
Frackville, PA 17932

Mercer State Correctional Institution

Mercer State Correctional Institution
801 Butler Pike
Mercer, PA 16137

Telephone: (724)-662-1837

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Mercer
801 Butler Pike
Mercer, PA 16137

Muncy State Correctional Institution

Muncy State Correctional Institution
6454 State Route 405
Muncy, PA 17756

Telephone: (570)-546-3171

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Muncy
P.O. Box 180
Muncy, PA 17756

Pine Grove State Correctional Institution

Pine Grove State Correctional Institution
191 Fyock Road
Indiana, PA 15701

Telephone: (724)-465-9630

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Pine Grove
191 Fyock Road
Indiana, PA 15701

Pittsburgh State Correctional Institution

Pittsburgh State Correctional Institution
3001 Beaver Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Telephone: (412)-761-1955

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Pittsburgh
P.O. Box 99991
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Quehanna Motivational Boot Camp

Quehanna Motivational Boot Camp
4510 Quehanna Highway
Karthaus, PA 16845

Telephone: (814)-263-4125

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Quehanna Motivational Boot Camp
4510 Quehanna Highway
Karthaus, PA 16845

Retreat State Correctional Institution

Retreat State Correctional Institution
660 State Route 11
Hunlock Creek, PA 18621

Telephone: (570)-735-8754

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Retreat
660 State Route 11
Hunlock Creek, PA 18621

Rockview State Correctional Institution

Rockview State Correctional Institution
Route 26, 1 Rockview Place
Bellefonte, PA 16823

Telephone: (814)-355-4874

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Rockview
Box A
Bellefonte, PA 16823

Smithfield State Correctional Institution

Smithfield State Correctional Institution
1120 Pike Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652

Telephone: (814)-643-6520

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Smithfield
P.O. Box 999
Huntingdon, PA 16652

Somerset State Correctional Institution

Somerset State Correctional Institution
1600 Walters Mill Road
Somerset, PA 15510-0001

Telephone: (814)-443-8100

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Somerset
1600 Walters Mill Road
Somerset, PA 15510-0001

Waymart State Correctional Institution

Waymart State Correctional Institution
Route #6
Waymart, PA 18472

Telephone: (570)-488-5811

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
SCI Waymart
P.O. Box 256
Waymart, PA 18472

RELATED ARTICLES & SERVICES…

Related Articles

How to Prepare For Prison

Perhaps there is no more significant type of trouble than the one leading to prison. If you've been to prison before, you probably know what to expect and how to prepare for prison. But, if you have not been to prison, the idea of being locked up will likely cause confusion and extreme anxiety. People…

A Loved One In Prison

This article covers what you need to know if a loved one is arrested and sentenced to prison. You will learn how to locate where a prisoner is being kept. It will also help you understand and navigate the prison process as well as inform you on: How to locate and communicate with the prisoner…

Aid To Families of Prisoners

Programs For Families in Financial Trouble Financial Hardship When a family member is incarcerated, it quickly becomes a financial hardship for the family left behind. Not only is there lost income, but the family also now has other costs associated with their loved one's incarceration, such as travel expenses related to visitation, communication expenses, child…

Federal Criminal Appeal Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once convicted of a crime in a federal district court, your lawyer may determine there are viable grounds to appeal the conviction based on a court error of law. There are precise procedural rules your lawyer must follow to secure your right to appeal. This article provides a summary of a very complex legal procedure.…

Expungement: How to Clear Your Criminal Record

Due to today's search technology, nearly anyone has informational access to other people's lives, including whether someone has a criminal record. According to the American Progress for Justice, over 70 million Americans have a criminal record that can come- up on background checks. Criminal Records are Publicly Accessible Purpose of Expungement The primary purpose of expunging…

Federal Crimes Attorneys

There are many different types of criminal defense lawyers. Most spend their time in state courts defending clients in state criminal actions. Other criminal defense attorney practice in both federal and state courts. This article focuses mainly on the federal criminal defense attorney. Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys If you are a target in a federal…

Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Symptoms Of Depression Depression and stress can disrupt how you function, eat, sleep, and get along with others. There are different reasons why people experience depression. For example, financial trouble can cause poor self-esteem. Losing your home to foreclosure can cause marital problems and lead to separation, divorce, and bankruptcy. Financial stress and worry can…

Hopelessness And Despair

Extended States Of Hopelessness And Despair Depression often begins with escalating levels of stress and anxiety, culminating in feelings of being trapped and emotionally exhausted. The nervous system has come under assault, and the person impacted neither has the energy nor the will to change the circumstances that have caused the cycle to continue. Escalating…

Mental Health

What is Mental Health? Mental health concerns our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives. Understanding our mental health helps us build better relationships, improve our health, and boost productivity. Focusing on self-care, recognizing issues early, and adopting effective coping strategies can help reduce stigma…

Mental Health Counseling

Our Emotional And Mental Health Emotional suffering touches nearly every family in America, and over 30% of the population is said to have suffered some form of emotional suffering. Emotional and mental disorders can happen to any age group, race, religion, or income class. The good news is that conditions affecting our emotional and mental…

Psychologists

What Is a Psychologist? Psychologists are highly educated and trained professionals. They must earn at least a master’s degree, and many obtain their doctorate in clinical psychology. In addition, most states require at least a two-year internship as part of their postgraduate clinical training. Psychologists, among other roles, assist their patients in learning how to…

Inspirational Quotes: Overcoming Challenges with Wisdom

Wisdom That Inspires And Heals As hard as life can be, we can always turn our circumstances around if we put our troubles into perspective. Contemplating great words of wisdom can help you move beyond fear and stress caused by life's challenges and return you to a state of emotional wellbeing: “There is only one cause…

How to Be Happy Alone?

In the United States and elsewhere, loneliness is being viewed as a type of health epidemic. People describe their lonely experience as “wandering through a void of nothingness,” “a constant physical emptiness in their chest,” or “a dull ache in their stomach.” Loneliness is so commonly felt that it may be the only thing that…

Meditation

Developing a regular meditation practice helps liberate you from reacting to trouble with fear, anxiety, and panic. Meditation grounds you in the present moment. A place of calm being, not fearing - an interior space where you can then focus on what needs to be done. Sometimes this can be done best through the practice…

Self-Compassion: An Emotional First Aid in Bad Times

Have you done something inappropriate and called yourself a terrible person? Many of us are inclined to be hard and sometimes even cruel to ourselves when things go badly or don’t go as we hoped. We tend to think self-criticism is a form of discipline that strengthens us. Usually, it does just the opposite. Being…

The Mind-Heart Connection - A Holistic Approach

When anxious thoughts race through your mind, do you feel like your heart can jump out of your ribcage? When a wave of anger burns through your heart, is it complex for you to articulate coherent thoughts? These are just some instances where your heart and mind work in tandem. Like a duet, one does…

Affiliates

Criminal Defense Lawyers

Ask a qualified Criminal Lawyer any of your legal questions and receive comprehensive answers within minutes! Our experienced Criminal Lawyers are available online 24/7.

Get Started Now

Addiction and Recovery Centers

American Addiction Centers specialize in providing quality treatment and innovative care with a team of qualified professionals dedicated to helping people overcome their addictions.

Get Started Now

Apps For Stress

Are you feeling like you're running on empty and can't keep up? Sensa.health helps you monitor, control, and exercise your mental status for enhanced wellbeing.

Get Started Now

Divorce Emotional Counseling

At Talkspace, we provide emotional divorce counseling so individuals can navigate through all those tumultuous emotions that come with a divorce.

Get Started Now

Divorce Support Groups

CirclesUp allows you to gain insight into your struggles while finding valuable advice from experienced counselors and other members who have successfully gone through break-ups.

Get Started Now

Divorce-Family Lawyers

Our verified family lawyers identify issues quickly and accurately to achieve resolution more efficiently. Get reliable legal advice today!

Get Started Now

Earn A Degree Online

Our online college offers accredited and affordable degrees to meet your needs. No matter what field you’re targeting, we will prepare you for whatever career path awaits.

Get Started Now

Fitness & Wellness Fundamentals

Take your fitness and wellness to the next level. Joe Holder’s training combines three pillars of success for lifestyle changes: physical movement, nutrition, and mental fortitude.

Get Started Now

Affiliate disclosure

GotTrouble.org is a one-stop free and open consumer information and expert resource.

Our information helps guide people through the complexity of life-changing legal, financial, and emotional challenges.

One way of doing this is by providing our visitors with a wide range of third-party resources. Some of which are affiliates.

Should you visit an affiliate, we will disclose this fact, and we may earn a commission. We ask that you use your independent judgment in deciding whether an offered service or product fits your needs and purposes.

If you have questions, please get in touch with us at inquiries@GotTrouble.org.