Visiting in Pennsylvania (PADOC) | Prison Visitor Guide

Key info

Visiting is a two-step process. First the visitor must be on the incarcerated person’s approved visitor list; then each visit is booked through the Inmate Visitation System (IVS). A visitor cannot schedule a visit until they are on the approved list.

The incarcerated person adds visitors — not the prison. The incarcerated person initiates adding someone to the list. Visitors should not contact the State Correctional Institution (SCI) to add themselves.

All visits are by appointment through IVS at inmatevisitation.cor.pa.gov, using a Keystone Login account (one account per adult visitor). Each visit is booked at least 3 days ahead and no more than 60 days ahead.

Each prison sets its own days and hours. Visit limits, days, and times vary by facility, so confirm the schedule with the specific SCI before booking.

Bring almost nothing. An adult brings one photo ID, or two non-photo IDs; where allowed, coins or a small clear change purse for vending. No phones, bags, or gifts. Money is sent through JPay, not at the visit.

Visiting an incarcerated person in Pennsylvania involves two separate steps: getting on the incarcerated person’s approved visitor list, and then booking each visit through the Inmate Visitation System (IVS). These rules come from PADOC policy DC-ADM 812 (Inmate Visiting Privileges) and the PADOC Visitor Guide. Because each prison sets its own visiting days and hours, confirm the schedule and limits with the specific facility.

Step 1: Getting on the approved visitor list

Before anyone can schedule a visit, they must be on the incarcerated person’s authorized visitor list. The incarcerated person initiates adding a visitor to the list — prospective visitors should not contact the SCI to add themselves.

Minors

A minor must be listed on a parent’s or guardian’s DC-313 / DC-313A form, signed by the parent or guardian, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the visit.

Step 2: Booking the visit

Once a visitor is on the approved list, each visit is booked through the Inmate Visitation System (IVS) at inmatevisitation.cor.pa.gov. IVS uses a Keystone Login account, with one account per adult visitor.

Book at least 3 days in advance.
Book no more than 60 days in advance.

There is no statewide set of visiting days and hours: each prison sets its own days, hours, and frequency. Confirm the specific SCI’s schedule and limits before booking.

How many visits are allowed

For a person in general population, the limits are:

In-person (contact) visits: up to 4 per month, a minimum of 1 hour each, with up to 4 visitors at a time.
Video visits: up to 6 per month, 45 minutes each, with up to 6 visitors.

Visiting for a person in restricted housing is more limited. The specific prison can confirm the current limits.

What to wear

The PADOC dress code applies to all visitors:

No bathing suits, shorts, or extremely short or revealing skirts or dresses.
No halter, tube, tank, or spaghetti-strap tops.
Nothing sheer, see-through, or ripped.
No spandex or leggings.
No coats, jackets, or hats in the visiting room.
Appropriate undergarments are required.

Underwire bras may set off the metal detector.

Identification

Every adult visitor must show identification at the visit:

One photo ID, or
Two non-photo IDs.

Photocopies and expired IDs are not accepted. A minor does not need photo ID but must be on the accompanying adult’s DC-313 form and accompanied by that parent or guardian.

What you can bring

Items are tightly limited:

Identification — required at every visit.
Where the facility allows it, coins or a small clear change purse for vending machines.

Not allowed: cell phones, bags, and gifts. Money is sent through JPay, never at a visit. All visitors pass through screening, including metal detectors.

Video visiting

Pennsylvania runs its own video visiting system — not a Securus or ViaPath video product. Video visits:

Run on Zoom, scheduled through the IVS scheduler.
Are free of charge.
Are recorded (except attorney visits).
Require the visitor to be on the approved visitor list, the same as for in-person visits.

Verify Before Acting

Confirm with the specific prison before relying on any plan: that the visitor is on the incarcerated person’s approved visitor list (the incarcerated person adds visitors — do not contact the SCI to add yourself), the facility’s visiting days, hours, and limits (each prison sets these), and the current minimum lead time (the Visitor Guide says 3 days; a PADOC web page says 2). A newly committed person is at a reception center (Camp Hill for men, Muncy for women) until transfer, so confirm the current location first. Book every visit through the Inmate Visitation System at inmatevisitation.cor.pa.gov using a Keystone Login account. Bring one photo ID or two non-photo IDs (no photocopies or expired IDs), a minor must be on the accompanying adult’s DC-313 form and accompanied by that parent or guardian, and bring no phone, bag, or gift. Send money through JPay, not at the visit.

Sources

This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.