Philadelphia Department of Prisons
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Philadelphia Department of Prisons. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- County Facility
- Security Level
- Pretrial / Sentenced
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- Not available
- Operated By
- City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Department of Prisons
Philadelphia Department of Prisons Inmate Communication Overview
Philadelphia Department of Prisons, sometimes called PDP, is the city agency that runs Philadelphia's county jail system. Rather than a single building, PDP operates a group of facilities clustered in Northeast Philadelphia along State Road, including intake, detention, and industrial correctional buildings. Anyone arrested in Philadelphia and not released before trial is typically booked into this system, and where a person ends up depends on their classification, gender, and case status.
Communication across the PDP system runs through two providers. GettingOut handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money deposits, with a free account available at gettingout.com or through the GettingOut app. Securus handles phone calls and video visitation through a separate account at securustech.net. Because someone can be moved between PDP facilities during their case, it's worth confirming the current building on your account before sending a message or funds.
Because PDP is a system of several sites rather than one address, families should use the Department's own inmate locator to confirm exactly where a person is held before mailing letters or scheduling a visit. Philadelphia is served by public transit reaching the State Road area, which helps families without a car. People convicted of longer sentences may eventually transfer out of the city system to a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections state prison, where a different communication setup applies.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Main Phone
(215) 685-7711
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Inmate full name and PPN number P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 Mail scanning center; do not send personal mail to a PDP facility. Money orders and certified checks go directly to the person's facility.
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
Visiting Hours
In-person visits Monday through Friday at 9-10 a.m., 1-2 p.m., and 3-4 p.m. at all four facilities. Saturday visits are for RCF ASDMOD3 and Youthful Offenders only. Appointments must be made 48 hours to 7 days in advance; arrive at least 10 minutes early.
Commissary / Sending Money
Clothing and other items can be ordered through commissary online. Money orders and certified checks must be sent directly to the person's facility; cash and personal checks are not accepted.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: GettingOut
Electronic messaging through GettingOut. Confirm the correct facility on your account, since PDP has multiple sites.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Video visitation through Securus. Availability can vary by facility within the PDP system.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: GettingOut
Digital photo sharing through GettingOut. Physical photo mail is also accepted under PDP mail rules.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Fund a Securus account to accept calls from a PDP facility.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: GettingOut
Commissary and account deposits through GettingOut, online or by phone.
Communication Providers at Philadelphia Department of Prisons
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
GettingOut
Handles messaging, photo sharing, and money deposits across the Philadelphia jail system.
View GettingOut ServicesSecurus
Handles phone calls and video visitation across the Philadelphia jail system.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Philadelphia Department of Prisons
- PDP operates several facilities on and near State Road. Confirm the exact building where someone is held before mailing letters.
- GettingOut covers messaging, photos, and money. Securus covers phone calls and video visits.
- All communication is subject to review by PDP staff.
- Only approved contacts can message, call, or schedule visits with someone in custody.
- People sentenced to longer terms may transfer to a Pennsylvania DOC state prison, which uses different providers.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center
Frequently Asked Questions: Philadelphia Department of Prisons
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I contact someone in the Philadelphia jail system?
- Set up a GettingOut account for messaging, photos, and money, and a Securus account for phone calls and video visits. Confirm which specific PDP facility the person is in first, since the system has more than one site.
- How do I find out which Philadelphia facility someone is being held in?
- The Philadelphia Department of Prisons offers an online tool to locate an incarcerated person on the city's website, phila.gov. Search by name to confirm the current facility before mailing anything or scheduling a visit.
- Can I do a video visit with someone in Philadelphia's jail system?
- Yes, video visitation is available through Securus. Create an account, select the correct facility, and choose an open time slot. Confirm hours in advance since they can vary by site.
- What happens after someone is sentenced in Philadelphia?
- Shorter sentences may be served within the PDP system. Longer sentences typically result in a transfer to a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections state prison, which uses a different communication provider setup than PDP.
- How do I send money to someone in a Philadelphia facility?
- Money deposits go through GettingOut online or by phone. Make sure you have the correct facility selected on the account, since PDP includes multiple buildings.
- How do I send mail to someone in a Philadelphia jail?
- Mail is addressed to the specific facility where the person is held, so confirm the facility first. Address the letter with the person's full name and identification number, care of that facility.
- How do I post bail for someone in a Philadelphia jail?
- Bail is set by the court. Confirm the bail amount and the posting process with the court or the facility. Bring a valid photo ID when posting bail in person.
- Can I visit someone in person in the Philadelphia jail system?
- In-person visiting requires approval and scheduling. Confirm the current visiting procedures for the specific facility with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons before traveling, since procedures can change.
- Can I still message someone after they transfer within the Philadelphia system?
- Yes. GettingOut handles messaging across the Philadelphia jail system, so your account still works after a transfer within the system. Confirm the person's new facility before sending mail, since mail goes to the specific facility.
- Why does mail for Philadelphia jails go to a P.O. box in Maryland?
- Personal mail for people in Philadelphia Department of Prisons facilities is routed through a mail scanning center at P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Include the inmate's full name and PPN number. Do not send personal mail directly to a PDP facility. Money orders and certified checks go directly to the person's facility.
Troubleshooting at Philadelphia Department of Prisons
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
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