SCI Somerset

From PA Turnpike Exit 110, go straight to the fourth light, turn left, go about one-quarter mile at "Y" in the road. Keep to the right. Go about 5 miles. Turn right at light on Garrett Short Cut Road. Go to top of hill, institution is on the right.

Visiting Information

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  No visitor will be admitted after 2:30 p.m. All visitors will remain in the visiting room of the visitor staging area from 1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. due to shift change.

Rules:

All persons under 18 years of age must have parental or legal guardian's written permission to visit. No minor will be permitted to visit until permission is granted. All minors must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older who is on the same inmate's visiting list.

Inmates are permitted five visits per month and a maximum of five visitors at any one time.

The only physical contact permitted by adults in the visiting area is holding hands or placing one arm around the shoulders. No sitting on laps, no lounging, snuggling or grooming. Inmates and visitors are permitted to embrace and kiss when meeting and departing only. Small children are permitting to sit on the lap of the inmate.

No person may be on more than one inmate's visiting list, except in cases involving persons being part of the immediate family of more than one inmate. Written verification of relationship is required before being permitted to visit both inmates.

Any interaction between inmates and any visitors outside of the visiting room will be construed as to be inappropriate and may have an impact on your visiting privileges.

Alcohol beverages, narcotics, drugs or weapons are not permitted anywhere on the grounds or inside the institution. Persons caught introducing contraband into SCI Somerset will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and will be permanently banned from visiting ALL state correctional institutions.

The only items permitted inside the institution are change, $1 and $5 bills, and the jewelry on your person.

Visitor lists are confidential. Only inmates are permitted to reveal the content.

General visiting guidelines

All visitors and media representatives must be on the approved visiting list. It is recommended that you arrive as early as possible in the day to maximize your visit. It may take time to locate an inmate for a visit because of work, medical or recreational reasons. Please know his name and institution number.

All visitors 16 years of age and older are required to present proper identification prior to admittance to the institution. Proper identification is defined as one form of photo ID or two forms of non-photo IDs. A birthdate must appear on one of the non-photo Ids. No ID - no entry.

All visitors shall register in and out of the institution. You are asked to complete the register in its entirety, to include make, model, color and license number of your vehicle.

All persons, possessions and vehicles are subject to search before, during or after a visit. Refusal to permit a search will result in revocation of your visiting privileges and/or possibly detained until appropriate law enforcement authorities arrive.

Do not bring any kind of gift, photo, food, camera, video or tape recorders or any type of radio, clothing or paper for an inmate. Inmates are NOT permitted to take anything from the visiting area. Any unauthorized items in the inmate's possession after a visit will be confiscated.

ALL visits beyond one hour are subject to being terminated when the visiting room becomes overcrowded. Available seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who arrive first will be asked to leave first. Minimum amount of time guaranteed by the institution is one hour.

Any inmate placed in the Restricted Housing Unit will have their visiting privileges restricted/revoked. DC status inmates: One visit per calendar month, three hours maximum, immediate family only, two visitors maximum. AC status inmates: One visit per week, three hours maximum, two visitors maximum. A contact visit may be granted by the PRC only! NO VISITS FOR RHU ON WEEKENDS OR HOLIDAYS.

Small children will be permitted a pacifier and small receiving blanket. You are permitted to bring 2 jars of vacuum sealed baby food, 2 diapers and 1 clear non-tinted plastic baby bottle containing milk or pre-mixed formula. Everything else must be secured in your vehicle or the lockers in the lobby.

Use good judgment and discretion in dress. Good behavior also is necessary. Please do not embarrass yourself or others. Children are your responsibility. Keep them under control. Failure to do so may result in early termination of the visit.

Ex-offenders, parolees, etc. from ANY correctional system must have prior written approval from the superintendent or his designee prior to being able to visit any inmate.

The Visitor Registration Officer is not permitted to accept any cash, checks or money orders for an inmate's account. All monies for an inmate's account must be mailed to the institution.

Vending machines are stocked with sandwiches, snacks and soft drinks. All items except pictures and cigarettes must be consumed in the visiting room. No other items are permitted to leave the visiting room.

Any visitor appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance or creating a disturbance will not be permitted to enter the institution. They must depart institutional grounds immediately upon being told to leave.

All inmates are informed of changes that may occur in visiting regulations. It is the inmate's responsibility to inform his visitors of any changes. Inmates are also responsible for generating and maintaining the accuracy of their visiting list.

Remember that any violation of visiting regulations may result in the termination, suspension or revocation of visiting privileges statewide.

The Department of Corrections encourages you to put money on inmate accounts electronically using one of the two following options:

JPay

Western Union

Please remember:  If your friend or family member owes fines, costs or restitution, a percentage of any money you deposit (regardless if it is electronically deposited) may go to paying his or her debt in accordance with DC-ADM-005    

How To Email an Inmate

1. Go to the vendor website that services the institution where the inmate is housed.

2. Establish an account with that vendor and follow their instructions to create an email.

3. All emails are subject to review for appropriate content.  After review, the email will be printed on paper and delivered to the inmate.

4. Any response from the inmate will be mailed out using regular U.S. Postal Service mail.  Inmates do NOT have access to any outgoing email programs.