Philadelphia Jail & Inmate Search
Looking for someone arrested in Philadelphia? The Philadelphia Department of Prisons operates several facilities on the State Road correctional campus. Use this guide to locate an incarcerated person, identify the correct facility, review visitation rules, send money or mail, find criminal court information and understand the release process.
Someone Was Arrested in Philadelphia. What Should You Do?
Start with Philadelphia's official incarcerated-person locator.
The locator only searches people held in facilities operated by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
To search, you generally need either the person's full name and date of birth or their police identification number (PID).
Search the locator
Use Philadelphia's official incarcerated-person search.
Identify the facility
Determine whether the person is at CFCF, DC, PICC or RCF.
Save the identification number
Keep the person's PID or PPN available for jail services.
Check court and bail information
Criminal court information is maintained separately from jail custody records.
Confirm visiting and mail rules
Philadelphia has facility-specific procedures that can change.
Philadelphia Jail Inmate Search
Use the official City of Philadelphia locator to identify where someone is being held within the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
You can search using:
- Full name and date of birth
- Police identification number — PID
The locator applies only to Philadelphia Department of Prisons facilities. It does not search Pennsylvania state prisons, federal detention facilities or jails outside Philadelphia.
SEARCH PHILADELPHIA INMATES →Opens the official City of Philadelphia inmate-locator information page.
Where Is the Person Being Held?
The Philadelphia Department of Prisons currently operates four main facilities. Check the inmate locator before traveling because people can be moved between facilities.
Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
7901 State Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19136
CFCF is the largest Philadelphia Department of Prisons facility.
Detention Center
8201 State Road
Philadelphia, PA 19136
The Detention Center includes medical and behavioral-health inpatient housing.
Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center
8301 State Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19136
PICC currently houses adult men.
Riverside Correctional Facility
8151 State Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19136
RCF provides housing, medical, educational and other correctional services.
Philadelphia Bail Information
Bail is determined by the court, not by the Department of Prisons.
After an arrest, a person's bail status may depend on the charges, judicial decision, pretrial conditions and any other outstanding holds.
Because bail procedures and payment requirements can change, confirm the current bail amount and payment instructions through the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania before paying.
PHILADELPHIA COURTS →Philadelphia Jail Visitation
Philadelphia currently allows incarcerated people to receive one hour of in-person visitation each week.
Walk-in visits are not allowed. Visits must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance, and appointments can generally be made up to seven days ahead.
Regular Weekday Visiting Times
Current weekday visit slots for CFCF, DC, PICC and RCF are:
Saturday visitation is reserved for certain designated populations. Always confirm current availability when making the appointment.
CURRENT VISITATION INFORMATION →Philadelphia Inmate Phone & Tablet Services
Philadelphia uses the GettingOut platform for several incarcerated-person communication services.
Friends and family can fund services used for:
- Telephone calls
- Video visits
- Electronic messages
- Tablet entertainment
Communication charges and service options can change, so check the current vendor information before adding funds.
How to Send Money to a Philadelphia Inmate
Philadelphia uses different accounts depending on what the incarcerated person needs to purchase.
Access Corrections
Philadelphia directs electronic commissary deposits through Access Corrections.
You will need identifying information for the incarcerated person.
GettingOut
Funds for phone calls, video visits, electronic messaging and tablet entertainment are handled through GettingOut.
Money Orders & Certified Checks
Philadelphia also permits money orders and certified checks, but they must be sent directly to the incarcerated person's facility.
Include the person's:
- Full name
- PPN / identification number
- Facility name
- Facility address
Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
OFFICIAL MONEY INFORMATION →How to Send Mail to a Philadelphia Inmate
Philadelphia uses a centralized scanning service for ordinary personal mail. Legal mail, money orders and publications follow different rules.
Personal Mail
Ordinary letters, cards and photographs must currently be sent to:
Incarcerated Person's Name, PPN #
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Personal mail is scanned and delivered electronically to the incarcerated person's tablet.
Personal mail sent directly to a PDP facility will be returned.
Current Personal-Mail Rules
- Use plain white paper.
- Use pen or pencil.
- Use a plain white envelope.
- No glitter.
- Photos must be 5×7 inches or smaller.
- No packages.
Legal Mail
Legal and professional mail should be clearly marked Legal Mail and sent directly to the facility where the person is housed.
Include the incarcerated person's name, PPN, facility name and facility address.
Books, Magazines & Newspapers
Publications must be sent directly to the person's facility from an approved third-party seller or publisher. Philadelphia does not allow hardback books.
CURRENT MAIL RULES →Find a Philadelphia Criminal Court Case
Philadelphia's county court system is the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
It consists primarily of:
- Philadelphia Municipal Court
- Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System provides public docket searches for both Philadelphia Municipal Court and Court of Common Pleas criminal cases.
Public docket sheets can provide information such as charges, docket entries, scheduled court events and case status.
SEARCH PENNSYLVANIA COURT CASES →Philadelphia Jail Release Information
A person may be released from Philadelphia custody because of bail, a court order, completion of a sentence or another legal disposition.
Physical release may not occur at the exact moment the underlying court or bail issue is resolved. The Department of Prisons still must process the person's discharge.
Before traveling to pick someone up, check the inmate locator or call Classification, Movement and Registration to confirm the person's current custody status.
Can't Find Someone in Philadelphia Jail?
A missing result does not necessarily mean the person was not arrested.
A recent arrest may not appear immediately while intake is being completed.
The Philadelphia locator only covers Philadelphia Department of Prisons facilities.
The person may have been released after court, bail or another disposition.
The person may have been moved to state, federal or another county's custody.
For 24/7 locator assistance, call (215) 685-8394, (215) 685-8395, or (215) 685-8396.
Philadelphia Jail FAQ
How do I find someone in a Philadelphia jail?
Use the official Philadelphia Department of Prisons locator. Search using the person's full name and date of birth or police identification number.
What information do I need for the Philadelphia inmate search?
You need either the person's full name and date of birth or their police identification number, commonly called a PID.
Who operates Philadelphia's jails?
The Philadelphia Department of Prisons operates the city's local correctional facilities.
How many Philadelphia jail facilities are there?
PDP currently operates four principal facilities: CFCF, the Detention Center, PICC and Riverside Correctional Facility.
Where is Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility?
CFCF is located at 7901 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136.
Where is PICC?
Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center is located at 8301 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136.
Where is Riverside Correctional Facility?
RCF is located at 8151 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136.
Who can I call if I cannot find someone?
Classification, Movement and Registration provides locator help 24/7 at (215) 685-8394, (215) 685-8395 and (215) 685-8396.
Is Spanish-language locator help available?
Yes. Philadelphia currently lists (215) 685-8692 for Spanish assistance.
How often can someone receive visitors?
Philadelphia currently allows incarcerated people one hour of in-person visitation each week.
Can I walk in without a visitation appointment?
No. Walk-in visits are not permitted. Visits must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance.
What are the regular weekday visitation times?
Current weekday time slots are generally 9–10 a.m., 1–2 p.m. and 3–4 p.m., subject to facility rules and availability.
How many visitors can visit at once?
Philadelphia currently permits no more than one adult and one child to visit an incarcerated person at one time.
How do I put commissary money on an inmate account?
Philadelphia currently directs electronic commissary deposits through Access Corrections.
How do I fund phone calls or video visits?
Philadelphia currently uses GettingOut for phone, video, messaging and tablet-related funds.
Can I mail a money order to an inmate?
Yes, but money orders and certified checks must be sent directly to the inmate's actual facility, not the Maryland personal-mail scanning center.
Where do I send ordinary personal mail?
Ordinary personal mail currently goes to Philadelphia IPCS, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, Maryland 21131. Include the incarcerated person's name and PPN.
Why does Philadelphia inmate mail go to Maryland?
Ordinary personal mail is processed through a centralized scanning service and delivered electronically to the person's tablet.
Where do I send legal mail?
Legal and professional mail goes directly to the person's actual Philadelphia Department of Prisons facility and should be clearly marked Legal Mail.
Can I send books to a Philadelphia inmate?
Publications must come directly from a qualifying third-party seller or publisher. Hardback books are not allowed.
Can I send a package?
No. Philadelphia's current personal-mail rules state that packages are not permitted.
How do I search a Philadelphia criminal court case?
Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System provides public docket searches for Philadelphia Municipal Court and Court of Common Pleas cases.
What is PA SAVIN?
PA SAVIN is Pennsylvania's automated victim-information and notification system. Registered users can receive notices about release, transfer or escape.
Does posting bail guarantee immediate release?
No. After the legal basis for release is received, the Department of Prisons still has to complete administrative release processing.
Find Someone in Another Major Jail
Philadelphia Jail & Court Resources
Search Philadelphia Jail
Start with the official Philadelphia Department of Prisons locator.
Last verified: September 2026. Jail locations, phone numbers, visitation schedules, mail rules, communication vendors, court systems, bail procedures and release procedures can change. Confirm important information with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons or First Judicial District before traveling, sending money, posting bail or making other decisions.
GotLockedUp.com is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Department of Prisons, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System, any jail, court, vendor or government entity.
Information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. An arrest or criminal charge is an allegation and does not establish guilt.