Visiting Information for SCI Mahanoy

[California Sunshine]

Hours:

The visiting room is open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and weekends and Holidays from 08:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In order to be assured of at least a one-hour visit, visitors should arrive no later than 2:00 p.m. Visitors will not be admitted if they arrive later than 2:45 p.m. The Visiting Room is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.


Rules:

To be eligible to visit an inmate, an individual must be on the inmate's visiting list. In addition, the visitor will be asked for identification, such as a driver's license. No more than five people may visit an inmate at any given time, although some discretion is used regarding younger children. However, to ensure that no disappointment occurs, it would be wise to limit groups to five, including children.

All inmates will be permitted one visit each week. A week is defined as running from Monday through Sunday. If a visit is not used one week, it may not be carried over to the next. Each visit will be from a minimum time period of one hour, providing that the visitor arrives no later than 2 p.m. Special visits which meet all of the above noted requirements may be requested for extraordinary circumstances. Requests for special visit approval are to originate with the inmate's counselor.

It should be noted that visits cannot be split up. For instance, a visitor cannot come on Monday for one-half hour and then return on Tuesday for another half-hour. Similarly, if an inmate or visitor terminates a visit for lunch, the visit may not be continued after lunch.

Hot and cold drinks, candy, and snacks are available in the Visiting Room for purchase. Visitors may purchase these items for the inmate and eat lunch with him rather than terminate the visit. No other exchanges are permitted and can be considered contraband in the institution.

Tickets for photographs and tokens for vending machines must be purchased before the visit is processed. Unused tokens may be brought back for use during subsequent visits.

General visiting information:

All visitors 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 also should be noted that some delays may occur in locating the individual inmate you are visiting, particularly on weekends and holidays, because of the volume of visits on those days. So, please be patient.

Have proper identification with you. Proper identification is defined as a driver's license, other photo ID, or two forms of acceptable non-photo ID. You will not be permitted to visit without proper identification.

Please be sure to sign in upon your arrival and sign out before you leave. If you travel by private vehicle, you will be required to register the year, make, model and license number. You are also required to ensure that your vehicle is secured while you are on a visit.

Wall lockers are available for securing your property prior to entering for your visit. A $10 deposit is required for the locker. The deposit will be refunded to you at the completion of the visit. Locker rentals can be purchased at the registration desk. If you do not wish to rent a locker, it is suggested that you lock your valuables in the trunk of your car. You will be allowed to bring your vehicle keys (two keys only) into the institution. No coats or jackets are permitted in the visiting room.

All visitors are subject to search upon entering the institution, while in the institution, and before leaving the institution. If you refuse to be searched before entering the institution, your visiting privileges will be denied. If you refuse to be searched while in the institution or upon leaving the institution, you will be detained until appropriate law enforcement authorities arrive. All people's vehicles and personal property entering or brought on institution grounds are subject to search. Drug detection dogs and electronic devices may be used for this purpose. Drugs, alcohol, firearms, weapons, implements of escape and cameras are prohibited.

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Title 18 Section 5123 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, any person caught attempting to give, sell, or in any way furnish a controlled substance (drugs) to any inmate, or caught with a controlled substance on any prison property, commits a felony of the second degree. This offense carries a MANDATORY TWO-YEAR MINIMUM SENTENCE. ALL VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED.

Cameras, tape recorders, radios, cigarettes, chewing gum and handbags are not permitted in the visiting area.

Visits are a minimum of 1 hour; however, they may be increased depending on the number of visits for the day.

Inmates placed in Disciplinary Custody status will have their visiting privileges restricted to one non-contact visit per month and immediate family only, excluding weekends and holidays.

Please use good judgment and discretion in dress and behavior so as not to embarrass others in the visiting area. There is a dress code for visitors. This dress code must be adhered to. Keep children under control. Failure to do so may result in your visit being denied or an early termination of your visit.

Ex-offenders must have prior approval from the Superintendent to visit any inmate. Ex-offenders must produce the Superintendent's written approval before being granted a visit.

Do not bring any kind of gift to the institution. Cash donations for inmates' accounts will not be accepted at the Visitor Registration Desk. All monetary donations for inmates' accounts must be mailed to the institution in the form of money orders or certified checks.

Visitors with infant children are permitted to bring three clear plastic baby bottles filled with premixed formula or white milk, three baby diapers (loose, not boxed), six baby wipes, and two original unopened jars of baby food. The Administration Lobby Officer will open all vacuum sealed jars to ensure they have not been previously opened. These items can be carried in a clear plastic bag.

Any visitor appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances will not be permitted to enter the institution.

All inmates are informed of any changes that may occur in visiting regulations. It is the responsibility of each inmate to inform his or her visitors of these changes.

Please remember that any violations of visiting regulations may result in the suspension of visiting privileges.