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Pennsylvania State Prisons

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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.
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Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas

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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.
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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

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