Phone & Messaging
How to Contact an Inmate at Facility
Video visitation is the main way to connect with someone at Allegheny County Jail. Here's how it works and what you need to get started.
Contact an Inmate at Allegheny County Jail, PA.
Mail, photos, messaging, and phone/call options for staying in touch.
Overview
Allegheny County Jail uses GTL for video visitation, available daily from 9 am to 9 pm (operations permitting). To visit, create a GTL account so you can be added to the incarcerated person's video contact list. Sessions last 30 minutes and cost $0.25 per minute. The incarcerated person can initiate visits, or you can schedule in advance through the vendor portal. Don't take screenshots or record video visitsâany recording is strictly prohibited, and violations mean permanent loss of video visitation access. Having technical problems? The facility recommends installing Firefox and Adobe Flash, then using Firefox to access the visitation site. Separately, incarcerated individuals get free daily access to an eBook library on facility tablets.
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Quick Facts
- Video visitation at Allegheny County Jail is available daily from 9 am to 9 pm, subject to operational status.
- Family and friends must create a GTL account to be added to an incarcerated person's video contact list.
- Video visits are limited to 30 minutes and are charged at $0.25 per minute.
- Screenshots and recording of video visits are strictly forbidden; violators will lose permanent access to video visitation.
- Incarcerated individuals have daily access to a library of free eBooks on facility tablets at no cost.
Contact & Communication Guides
How to Schedule a Visit at Allegheny County Jail (Online or by Phone)
Scheduling a social visit at Allegheny County Jail comes down to two things: getting approved as a visitor first, then planning ahead. Here's how to register, book a time online or by phone, and avoid last-minute cancellations.
Mailing Letters to Allegheny County Jail: A Simple Formatting Checklist to Prevent Returns
Returned mail is frustrating â and usually preventable. Follow this checklist to format your envelope and contents correctly, so your letter actually reaches your loved one at Allegheny County Jail.
Mailing Letters to Allegheny County Jail: Whatâs Allowed, Why Mail Gets Returned, and Legal-Mail Rules
Mail getting returned? It's usually something small â the address isn't positioned correctly, there's extra writing on the envelope, or you've exceeded the page or photo limits. Follow these rules to get your letter through processing at Allegheny County Jail.
Staying Connected: How Tablets, Calls, and Emergency NonâCollect Calls Work at Allegheny County Jail
At Allegheny County Jail, tablets are central to staying connectedâfor calls, requests, and more. Here's how the tablet sign-out process works, what calls sound like on your end, and how emergency or approved non-collect calls get requested and scheduled.
Common Questions
What are Allegheny County Jail's video visitation hours?
Video visitation is available daily from 9 am to 9 pm, subject to operational status.
How long are video visits and how much do they cost at Allegheny County Jail?
Video visits are limited to 30 minutes and cost $0.25 per minute.
Can I record or take screenshots of a video visit at Allegheny County Jail?
No. Screenshots and any recording are strictly forbidden, and violators permanently lose access to video visitation.
What should I do if I have trouble connecting to a video visit?
Install Firefox and Adobe Flash, then use Firefox to access the visitation website.
How should I address mail to someone at Allegheny County Jail?
Address the envelope with the incarcerated personâs full name and ID/booking number, clearly written on the outside. Include a complete, legible return address with your full first and last name, and use plain white paper and a plain white envelope without staples, glue, or bindings.
Will my letter be scanned or delivered as a paper copy?
Many Pennsylvania facilities send non-legal incoming mail through a contracted central processor that scans it and delivers it electronically to the institution. Since procedures can vary, check the facilityâs mail guidance before sending anything time-sensitive or original.
Other Guides for Allegheny County Jail, PA
Bringing Children to Visit at Allegheny County Jail: Who Can Accompany Them and What to Bring
Bringing kids to visit takes extra planning. Here's what Allegheny County Jail requires for who can accompany a child, what documents you'll need at check-in, and how to avoid getting turned away.
Can You Visit More Than One Person at Allegheny County Jail?
Want to visit more than one person at Allegheny County Jail? You can â but you'll need to make a phone call first to get added to multiple visiting lists.
How Many People Can Visit at Once at Allegheny County Jail? Understanding Conflicting Policies
Trying to figure out how many people can visit at once at Allegheny County Jail? You'll run into a problem right away: two different pages on the jail's website give two different answers. One page says a maximum of two visitors at a time. Another uses wording that points to a maximum of three. Confirm the current limit before you travel.