Centre County Government

Centre County Correctional Facility

Answers for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Inmate Handbook [PDF]

The rules of the Centre County Correctional Facility are designed to facilitate a reasonable amount of constructive interaction among inmates and staff, while providing order to manage the institution.

Inmate Property

An inmate is permitted to bring the following items when committed to the Centre County Correctional Facility:

• 2 pair shoes (athletic or casual, no steel toe shoes or boots)
• 6 pair WHITE under shorts
• 6 pair WHITE socks
• 6 pair WHITE under shirts
• 3 WHITE bras (Only female inmates will be allowed to have bras)
• dentures
• prescription glasses/contact lens
• 1 wedding band (no stones or jewels)*
• 1 religious medal with chain no larger than a fifty cent piece (no stones or jewels)*
• medical alert bracelet
• 1 Bible/Koran
• 1 rosary/prayer beads
• 1 kufee/yarmulke
• 1 prayer rug
• personal photographs (limit 10)
• personal letters (limit 10)
• legal material (reasonable amount of approximately 4 inches)

* Must be in possession on commitment. Jewelty is not permitted to be sent to you.

** These items may only be worn inside your cell or approved sites.

Work release inmates will be permitted to have three (3) pair of pants and three (3) shirts to wear out of the prison on work release. Work release clothing will be accepted once work release has been approved and the Centre County Correctional Facility has received all signed copies of the Work Release Agreement.

Inmate Mail

Letters sent to inmates will be addressed as follows:

Inmates are permitted to receive and send mail. All incoming mail except "Legal Mail" will be opened and inspected for contraband by an on duty Officer. "Legal Mail" will be opened by an on-duty Officer in the presence of the Inmate. Mail that has contraband, personal checks, cash, "instant-type pictures" (Polaroids), does not have a complete address, or return address will be returned to the post office. Postage due, or COD mail will not be accepted. All books, magazines, and newspapers must be sent from the publisher. No packages will be accepted without prior written permission from the Warden or Deputy Warden. Letters can not be dropped off for an Inmate, they must go through the mail.

Inmate Money

Inmates may receive money through the mail. Cash and personal checks will not be accepted. Money orders, certified checks, or government checks must be addressed to the Inmate. Money can also be dropped off at the Centre County Correctional Facility during visiting hours (12:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Monday through Sunday).

Telephone Usage

Inmates cannot receive phone calls and they cannot be left messages with the staff. The Inmate will have limited access to telephones and all out-going calls will be collect (including local calls). Inmates cannot call Centre County Offices with these phones.

To set up an account to receive phone calls from an inmate, you can contact ITI at 814-949-3303. This is an outside agency that handles inmate phone calls. They are not affiliated with the Centre County Correctional Facility or the Centre County Government.

Visitation Procedures

• Inmates are permitted one hourly visit per week and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
• Visitation will be held from 12:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
• Visitors must be listed on the Inmate's Visitor Request Form.
• Visitors must show a valid state photo ID, driver's license, or federal photo ID.
• Only legal documents are permitted to be taken on a visit.  No food products, candy, writing instruments etc. are permitted. Cash, money orders, or certified checks will be accepted at the lobby desk prior to the visit. Pre-approved property drop-offs will also be accepted before a scheduled visit. If property is being dropped off for an Inmate, all excess property must be picked up at this time.
• Smoking is not permitted in the Centre County Correctional Facility; therefore, smoking materials are contraband and are not allowed on prison property.
• Former inmates of the Centre County Correctional Facility are not permitted to visit without prior written approval from the Warden or Deputy Warden.
• Visitors will be limited to one adult and a maximum of two children per visit.  If two adults are present, they may split the visit one half hour each. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Visitors must be dressed appropriately.  No halter tops, half shirts and/or tube tops, see-thru blouses, mini skirts, etc.
• Any visitors suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be denied visitation.
• Visitors are subject to all rules and regulations governing visits.  Any violation of these rules or regulations may result in termination of a visit and suspension of future visitation privileges.
• General visits will be non-contact visits. Contact visits will only be considered for Work Release Inmates. For contact visits, Visitors will be subject to pat searches.

Visitation Schedules