Philadelphia County Jail Details & Overview

If you have a loved one or friend incarcerated in the Philadelphia County Jail, you may be wondering about the facility's rules and what to expect if you need to write an inmate, visit, or send money. 

We have gathered information to answer the most common questions about the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. This information will give you peace of mind and help you take the correct actions. 

About the Philadelphia County Jail

The Philadelphia Department of Prisons operates four jails in Philadelphia County. 

• Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
• The Detention Center
• Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center
• Riverside Correctional Facility

The goal of the prison system is to offer rehabilitative services to inmates so they become productive citizens upon release. Some of the services offered to inmates include the following.

• Educational Services, including GED and High School Equivalency
• Job Training Services
• Substance Abuse Services
• Behavioral Therapy Services
• Parenting Classes
• Counseling Services
• Individual and Group Therapy Services

Contact Information for Philadelphia County Jail

The mailing address for the Philadelphia Prison System is:

7901 State Rd.

Philadelphia, PA 19136

Phone numbers include the following:

(215) 685-7288

(215) 685-7711

(215) 685-8909

How to Carry Out an Inmate Search Through the Philadelphia County Jail

If you need to perform a Philadelphia County jail inmate search online, the Sheriff’s Office provides a search portal that is available to the public 24 hours a day. 

You may search by the inmate’s first and last name or their PID number. You can also view jail mugshots in Philadelphia county. If you have trouble locating information on an inmate, you may call (215) 685-8394. 

How to Send Mail to an Inmate in the Philadelphia County Jail

If you would like to send mail to an inmate, you need to know the rules and regulations and the address for sending mail. 

The address to send inmate mail is:

CFCF

7901 State Rd.

Philadelphia, PA 19136

Please make sure to include the inmate’s full name and PID number. Please also include your full name and the return address. The following rules apply to sending inmate mail. 

• Please write with only a pen or pencil in letters and postcards. Do not use markers or crayons.
• Write all letters on plain white paper. Colored paper, stationary, and printed pages are not allowed. 
• Send all inmate mail in a plain white envelope.
• You may not place more than two decorative stickers on the envelope.
• Do not include greeting cards or postcards with glitter or other embellishments.
• When sending photographs, they must be no larger than 5 inches X 7 inches.
• Do NOT send photos that depict pornography, nudity, weapons, drugs, or gang materials.
• Inmates may possess up to five photographs at a time.
• All books, magazines, newspapers, and other publications may only come from bookstores and third-party sellers. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Philadelphia Inquirer are all approved vendors.
• Hardback books are not allowed.
• Packages are not allowed.

How to Visit an Inmate at the Philadelphia County Jail

Inmates in the Philadelphia County Jail System may receive visitors for up to one hour each week. All visitors must schedule visitations in advance through the visitation website. 

Visiting hours are Monday through Friday in the following time slots:

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Information for Inmate Visitations at the Philadelphia County Jail

• All visitors must show a government-issued photo ID.
• You must provide the name and PID of the inmate.
• You must wait in the visitor’s lobby. Lockers are provided for your belongings.
• Each visitor must be searched in a private room. You may be asked to loosen clothing or undergarments during the search.
• If the inmate refuses the visit, you cannot visit with them
• Philadelphia County Jail staff reserves the right to refuse visitation for any reason.

How to Send Money to an Inmate in the Philadelphia County Jail

Inmates need money to make phone calls and purchase items from the commissary. Family and friends can fund an inmate’s account through AdvancePay. You may deposit up to $500 daily into an inmate’s account.

You may only use debit or credit cards to make deposits. You may also use the kiosks located in the jail lobby.

Inmate Telephone System at Philadelphia County Jail

Inmates cannot receive calls from friends and family, but they can make collect calls using the funds available in their AdvancePay accounts. Inmates get ten free minutes a day to make phone calls. 

How to Send Clothes to an Inmate in the Philadelphia County Jail

Inmates in the Philadelphia County Jail may receive clothing from the commissary or through an in-person clothing exchange. Friends and family members can also order clothing for inmates through Access SecurePak.

Clothing Exchanges

Clothing exchanges may only be made during in-person visitation visits. Inmates must get permission for the clothing exchange at least three days in advance.

At the Detention Center, clothing exchanges must be conducted before 1:30 p.m. At the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, all clothing exchanges must be carried out before 5:00 p.m.

You may also bring inmates the following items during a clothing exchange.

• Prescription eyeglasses
• Dentures
• Prosthetics

You may not bring inmates shoes of any kind.

How to Volunteer at the Philadelphia County Jail

Volunteers are essential for the enrichment of inmate lives. Volunteers provide educational and spiritual support. All volunteers must undergo 16 hours of training before being allowed to serve at the jail.

Requirements for Volunteers

The volunteer program at the Philadelphia County Jail has requirements that must be followed precisely, including the following. 

• You must be at least 21 years old to volunteer at the Philadelphia County Jail.
• If you are an ex-offender, you must wait at least six months after your release to volunteer.
• Relatives of incarcerated individuals may volunteer, but not in the same facility as a loved one.