Centre County, Pennsylvania Inmate Search
Centre County, Pennsylvania, inmate search refers to the various methods of obtaining real-time access to inmate information within the County. The county operates one main jail complex, the Centre County Correctional Facility (CCCF) located in Bellefonte, where most persons arrested in the county are held.
However, confirming an inmate’s exact location may present some difficulties. This is because the Centre County Sheriff’s Office, including municipal law enforcement agencies such as the State College Police Department and the Bellefonte Police Department, often move inmates in and out of the facility. For this reason, the Centre County Government, through the Centre County Department of Corrections, maintains public-facing databases for verifying if an individual is being held in the county jail. Through this platform, individuals can see arrests, charges, custody status, detention facility, and other helpful information.
How to Find an Inmate in Centre County Jail
The fastest and most reliable way to retrieve inmate information in Centre County is to view the online Centre County Correctional Facility Inmate Listing. Through this platform, users can search for specific inmate information by the inmate’s full name or corrections ID number. Once a search is initiated, the database typically runs a quick query and produces information matching the search criteria.
If the individual was arrested but their detention profile is not appearing in the search results, it is possible that they are yet to be processed into the county jail. It typically takes up to 48 hours for law enforcement to complete the booking and detention process. In such cases, individuals may check with the Centre County Sheriff’s Office at:
213 E High Street
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6803
Fax: (814) 548-1111
Emergency Phone: 911
How to Use the Centre County Jail Roster
Accessing the Centre County Correctional Facility Inmate Listing may present peculiar difficulties for first-time users.
To view the Centre County Correctional Facility Inmate Listing
- Visit the Centre County Government official website
- Click on Centre County Correctional Facility
- Locate "Quick Links" and click on "Inmate Listing" beneath the header.
- Click on the link provided on the next page to access the search tool
- Click on Find an Offender
- Enter the Offender ID or Enter the Offender’s First and Last name
- Click on "Search" to initiate a query
The sequential instructions listed above help simplify the search process, allowing individuals to access inmate information from virtually anywhere with an internet connection.
What Information is Included in the Centre County Inmate Roster
Retrieved search results typically display the following details:
- The inmate’s full name
- Physical descriptors such as race, height, hair, eye color, and age
- Charges
- Arresting agency
- Booking date
- Bail or bond information
- Custody status
- Mugshots
In compliance with section 305 of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), an inmate’s complete information is often not publicly available. This is because under the statute, sensitive details are to be redacted to protect the inmate’s privacy rights. These details include:
- The inventory of the items found on the accused at the time they were arrested
- Medical assessment information
- Victim information
- Records that include the identity of an informant
- Records that have been specifically sealed by the order of a court
Contact Details for Centre County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
Facility Name | Centre County Correctional Facility |
Address | 700 Rishel Hill Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823 |
Main Phone Number | (814) 355-6794 |
Sheriff’s Office Phone | (814) 355-6802 |
Administrative / Business Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Website / Directory | Centre County Government official website (Department of Corrections section) |
When calling about an inmate, it is useful to have the person’s full name or date of birth ready. This helps court staff locate the inmate’s information more quickly and provide accurate assistance.
Jail Facility Overview in Centre County
The Centre County Jail is the primary county jail serving Centre County, Pennsylvania. It houses adults who have been arrested within the county, including individuals awaiting trials and those serving shorter sentences.
The facility operates by receiving inmates brought in by local law enforcement agencies. It handles booking, classification, detention, and release of inmates under the supervision of the Centre County Department of Corrections.
The facility has a capacity of about 300 to 397 beds and houses both male and female inmates. The inmate population fluctuates frequently as people are booked, released, or transferred to other facilities depending on court decisions and sentence length.
The county is also home to two state correctional institutions that house inmates serving longer sentences under state authority. These facilities are not county jail but may still detain individuals whose cases originated in Centre County.
Agency | Office and Mail Address | Phone Number | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Centre County Department of Corrections / Centre County Correctional Facility | 700 Rishel Hill Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823 | (814) 355-6794 | Administrative hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The facility operates 24 hours a day for intake and detention services. | No dedicated public email address. Inquiries are typically handled by phone or through the Centre County Government contact directory. |
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections / SCI Benner Township (814) 353-3630 | 301 Institution Drive, Bellefonte, PA 16823 (814) 353-3630 | (814) 353-3630 | Administrative offices generally operate during weekday business hours; the institution operates 24 hours a day. | No public email listed. Individuals may contact the facility through the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections website contact portal. |
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections / SCI Rockview (814) 355-4874 | 1 Rockview Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823 (814) 355-4874 | (814) 355-4874 | Administrative offices generally operate during weekday business hours; the institution operates 24 hours a day. | No dedicated public email. Communication is typically handled through the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections contact directory. |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Centre County Correctional Facility?
There are several deposit options for sending money to an inmate in the Centre County Correctional Facility.
Online
Without having to go to the jail premises, individuals can complete a deposit to an inmate’s trust account from the comfort of their homes through an online system known as Connect Network.
First-time users will need to first register, while existing customers can sign in and follow the prompts to make a money deposit. The system accepts Mastercard, Visa Debits, and Credit Cards.
After registration, users typically need to navigate their way to the prison facility where the inmate they wish to send money to is being held. To do this:
- Click the three dashes at the top right-hand corner
- Click on Facility
- Enter the "Pennsylvania" in the search field to find the jail faster
- Select Centre County PA - Correctional Facility from the provided list
- The Corrections page has a Help sections link with sequential instructions for completing the deposit process.
Jail Kiosk Lobby
Those who prefer a more hands-on process can take their cash to the jail lobby. The Corrections Department operates a public-access machine (jail kiosk) that allows family and friends to deposit cash directly into an inmate’s trust account. These public-access computers also accept MasterCard, Visa Debit, and Credit Cards.
By Mail
The jail facility does not accept deposits by mail.
Before sending money, the depositors should be ready to provide the following details:
- Inmate First & Last Name
- Inmate Booking Number
- Centre County Site ID #48
Whether the deposit is being made online or through the jail lobby, a service charge will apply for the service.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
Inmate searches by jail facility can typically be conducted by first ascertaining which law enforcement agency is responsible for the inmate’s arrest. Many municipal law enforcement agencies, including the Centre County Sheriff’s Office, typically transport arrested individuals to the Centre County Correctional Facility. This facility maintains a public search tool that allows the public to find inmates by their full name and jail ID.
However, depending on the length of sentence and the court designated facility for serving the sentence, inmates are sometimes transferred to the State Correctional Institutions within the county. There are two major state correctional institutions in the county:
- State Correctional Institution - Benner Township
- State Correctional Institution- Rockview
The State Department of Corrections has the legal and operational responsibility to manage these facilities. Families and friends can use the Inmate and Parolee Locator tool to find information about sentenced inmates who are currently being held in the jail facilities, as well as those who have been conditionally released from prison to complete their sentence, but after under supervision. Searches on this platform are typically conducted by name, and jail or parolee number.
If the individual was below 17 years at the time of arrest, the county operates a separate facility for juvenile detainees. Through Juvenile Services, a department in the Probation Office, the county handles intake, adjudication, disposition, and detention hearings. However, juvenile records are considered sensitive under state law, making these records restricted, and open only to parents and the juveniles’ legal guardians.
Facility / System | Type of Facility | Who Manages It | Whether a Search Tool Exists | How to Search |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Centre County Correctional Facility | County jail (booking, pre-trial detention, short sentences) | Centre County Department of Corrections | Yes | Use the county’s inmate search tool. Searches are typically conducted using the inmate’s full name or jail ID. |
SCI Benner Township | State correctional institution for sentenced inmates | Pennsylvania Department of Corrections | Yes | Use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate and Parolee Locator by entering the inmate’s name or DOC/parolee number. |
SCI Rockview | State correctional institution for sentenced inmates | Pennsylvania Department of Corrections | Yes | Search through the Pennsylvania DOC Inmate and Parolee Locator using name or inmate number. |
Centre County Juvenile Services detention programs | Juvenile detention and supervision | Centre County Probation Office (Juvenile Services Division) No public search tool | No public search tool | Juvenile records are restricted under state law and may only be accessed by parents or legal guardians through the court or probation office. |
Centre County Visitation Rules and Schedules
As a way of affording family and friends the opportunity to remain close to incarcerated loved ones, visitation privileges are offered by jail staff under strict prideful guidelines.
Who Can Visit
The following individuals are allowed to visit:
- Family, Friends, Attorneys, members of law enforcement, Volunteer / Service Providers and law enforcement officials.
- Adults and children.
- Children are limited to two per visit and they must be accompanied by an adult who must keep them under supervision throughout the duration of the visit.
- If there are two adults, they may split the visit: 30 minutes each.
- Former inmates who just got released (within the last 6 months) within the last 6 months are not allowed to visit, except with the written approval of the warden.
- Except with the written approval of the warden, individuals under any type of supervision, including pending charges and bail are not allowed to visit
Proof of Identification
All visitors will be required to present a valid state or federal photo ID. This includes a driver’s license, a state ID, passport, and a military ID
Dress Code and Behavior Expectations
All visitors must be decently dressed. The following garments are not allowed:
- Halter tops
- Half shirts or tube tops
- Revealing or see-through tops
- Mini-skirts
Visitors are expected to abide by the following rules:
- All visitors must sign in on the paper log at the officer’s desk.
- Visitors suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be denied visitation.
- All valuables must be placed in the lockers at the jail lobby before entering the Visitating Room.
- Visitors and their possessions will be subjected to entry checks.
- Visitors are required to go through the metal detector. If denied entry by the metal detector, they will be subjected to a hand held detector check, and may be denied entry if they fail the test again.
- Only legal documents are permitted to be taken into the Visiting Room
- Individuals are not allowed to bring in food, candy, or writing materials.
- Visitors arriving late are entitled to a grace period of 10 minutes after the visitation schedule has begun, after which the visitation schedule will be terminated.
Visit Duration and the general days and hours for visitation
- General visits take place seven days a week from 12:45 pm through 9 pm.
- A visit is limited to 1 hour.
- Visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance
- Inmate visitation privilege is limited to a total of 5 visits: one visit per week, plus one additional visit any other day of the month.
- Inmates in Restricted Housing Units will not be afforded a special visit.
Substantial violations of any of these rules may cause visitation privileges to be terminated or may lead to permanent denial of future visitation applications.
Mailing and Commissary Information
Individuals can send mail messages electronically through www.textbehind.com. The mail will be printed and a copy will be delivered to the inmate, while the original will be destroyed.
Standard mail should be mailed to the address provided below in the following format:
Inmate First & Last Name
Inmate Booking Number Centre County Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
The inmate will receive a copy of the mail and the original will be destroyed. Do not send mails to the jail directly.
All incoming packages and mailed items must be preapproved and are first inspected by jail personnel before being delivered to the inmate. Books, magazines, and photographs may not be delivered under the following circumstances:
- If it describes how to use a weapon or make one.
- If it describes any procedure on how to escape from the correctional facility, including blueprints, drawings, or description of the jail.
- If it depicts drawings affiliated with a gang
- Written code
All books belonging to an inmate, including religious texts, must be sent from a publisher/bookstore. Inmates may not have more than two (2) books and (1) Bible/Koran/Torah/Religious text in their possession at any given time.