About Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
Use this website for informational purposes only.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) is the agency in charge of the state correctional system in Pennsylvania. It is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all state correctional institutions, parole processes, and all programs related to the reentry of inmates into society. The PADOC supervises all aspects of criminal justice, including incarceration, rehabilitation, parole, and reintegration.
The Pennsylvania state prison system consists of 24 state correctional institutions, 14 community corrections centers, and approximately 40 contract facilities. These institutions house adults who have been convicted of felonies and are serving sentences of over two years. They provide a range of correctional services, from minimum security to supermax facilities.
Types of Correctional Institutions in Pennsylvania State
In Pennsylvania, there are several types of correctional facilities, including:
- State Prisons: These are run by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and house inmates convicted of state-level crimes with sentences longer than two years.
- County Jails: County jails in Pennsylvania are managed by the county sheriff's office. They typically house inmates who are awaiting trial or serving sentences of less than two years.
- City Jails: City jails, managed by local law enforcement agencies, are usually for short-term detention of individuals awaiting trial or serving sentences for misdemeanor offenses.
- Federal Prisons: Federal prisons are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and house inmates convicted of federal crimes.
Inmate Search Options in Pennsylvania
The search options for inmates vary by the type of correctional institution. Here is how you can locate an inmate in each type of facility:
- State Prisons: You can use the Inmate/Parolee Locator on the PADOC website to find current inmates or parolees in Pennsylvania's state prisons.
- County Jails: Each county jail may have its own online search system. For instance, the Philadelphia County's Inmate Locator System allows you to search for inmates currently housed in the Philadelphia Prison System.
- City Jails: Inmate information for city jails may be found on the city law enforcement website or by contacting the jail directly. Not all city jails have online inmate search options.
- Federal Prisons: The Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator can be used to find inmates in federal prisons across the U.S., including Pennsylvania.
Offline Inmate Search Options in Pennsylvania
If online search options are not available or you cannot access them, there are offline methods to find an inmate:
- Phone Call: You can call the correctional facility directly. You may need the inmate's full name and possibly date of birth.
- In-Person Visit: Visit the correctional facility in person and ask for inmate information. Be prepared to provide identification and the full name of the inmate you are searching for.
Remember, for all searches, the amount of information that can be given about an inmate may be limited due to privacy laws and regulations.
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