Who Can't Visit at Berks County Jail: The Two-Year Rule and Other Restrictions
Some visit requests at Berks County Jail get denied automatically—even if you follow every other rule. Here's who can't visit or communicate, and what to do if you think an exception should apply.
If you were incarcerated in the Berks County Jail System at any point in the past two years, you can't visit. The jail treats this as a hard rule - no exceptions listed. Check your own timeline before planning a trip or trying to get approved.
Note: Phone calls, video visitations, electronic messages, and photo messages are recorded and may be monitored or divulged. Identified attorney phone calls are the exception.
The jail also bars certain people from phone calls, messages, and video visits with your loved one. If you fall into one of these categories, expect restrictions until the jail approves an exception.
- ✓ Co-defendants - inmates are prohibited from telephone calls, messages, or video visits with co-defendants.
- ✓ Victims - inmates are prohibited from telephone calls, messages, or video visits with victims of the inmate’s crimes.
- ✓ People with active PFAs - inmates are prohibited from telephone calls, messages, or video visits with anyone who has an active Protection From Abuse (PFA) order lodged against the inmate.
- ✓ People who requested no communication - inmates are prohibited from telephone calls, messages, or video visits with anyone who has officially requested to receive no communication from an inmate.
- ✓ Current or former jail employees - inmates are prohibited from telephone calls, messages, or video visits with current or former employees of the Jail System.
These restrictions apply to telephone calls, electronic messages, and video visits. If you're a co-defendant, a victim, covered by an active PFA, have formally requested no contact, or are a current or former jail employee, the person in custody can't use the jail's communication systems to reach you. Not sure whether the restriction covers other types of contact? Don't guess. Assume the jail will enforce the no-contact rule unless an exception is granted.
- Write a request to the BCJS Administrative Office - exceptions to the telephone/video contact restrictions must be requested in writing.
- Ask for an exception to the specific restriction - keep your request focused on the communication restriction that applies to you.
- Wait for a case-by-case decision - the jail considers exception requests individually, so outcomes can differ depending on the situation.
Reminder: Phone calls, video visits, electronic messages, and photo messages are recorded and may be monitored or shared (attorney calls are the exception). If you request an exception, expect the jail to review and control communication on a case-by-case basis.
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