What You Can Bring When Someone Is First Booked at Chester County Prison: Intake Checklist for Families
Intake is stressful, and it's easy to show up with items the facility won't accept. Here's what Chester County Prison allows at booking, what goes into storage, and what needs Medical Department approval.
A plain wedding ring - no stones - is one of the few pieces of jewelry someone can keep at intake. One religious necklace with a medallion is also allowed, but there are strict limits: the medallion can't be larger than a 50-cent piece, and the total value must stay under $50. Leave anything else at home. Chester County Prison is not responsible for personal property or clothing that is lost, damaged, or stolen.
If your loved one needs glasses, bring them in a soft case - that packaging requirement matters at intake. Contact lenses are also permitted, but only if they come with a storage container. If you’re gathering items quickly, double-check that the case/container is with the eyewear before you head in.
Dentures and prosthetics can be tricky. Chester County Prison allows one set of dentures and prosthetic devices, but only with Medical Department approval. Without that approval, the items must be released to a designee - they won't stay with the person being booked.
Chester County Prison sets clear limits on personal paperwork and keepsakes. Someone can have up to 10 photographs - no nudity allowed - and up to 10 letters and/or cards. Keep it small and choose the most meaningful items.
One religious text is allowed at intake - a Bible, Koran, or similar - but it must be softcover. Hardcover copies will be rejected.
- ✓ 3 white crewneck T-shirts only (no decals and no pockets)
- ✓ 3 pairs of underwear/panties
- ✓ 3 bras (no underwire)
- ✓ 3 pairs of white socks
- ✓ 3 washcloths
- ✓ Sneakers are allowed only if worn into the institution, and they must have no metal parts
Most personal property won't stay with your loved one. Items like wallets, keys, and extra jewelry go into storage until transfer or release - or until someone picks them up. Don't wait: items left in storage for 30 days after release will be destroyed. And remember, Chester County Prison is not responsible for personal property or clothing that is lost, damaged, or stolen.
Prescription medication requires extra care. Chester County Prison only accepts meds approved by the Medical Department - anything else gets discarded. Don't assume what you bring will be accepted automatically. Staff will route the decision through medical approval first.
Chester County Prison provides essential hygiene items to everyone. If your loved one is only expected to be there briefly, set expectations: those staying one week or less should not expect to receive canteen during their stay.
Practical Printable Checklist
- ✓ Prescription medication: accepted only if approved by the Medical Department (otherwise it will be discarded)
- ✓ Dentures (1 set) and prosthetic devices: allowed only if approved by the Medical Department; if not approved, they must be released to a designee
- ✓ Wedding ring: permitted only if it has no stones
- ✓ Religious necklace: 1 necklace with a religious medallion only; medallion not bigger than a 50-cent piece and total value not to exceed $50
- ✓ Eyeglasses: allowed only with a soft case
- ✓ Contact lenses: allowed only with a storage container
- ✓ Photos: up to 10 photographs; no nude photos
- ✓ Letters/cards: up to 10 letters and/or cards
- ✓ Religious reading: 1 religious text (e.g., Bible or Koran), softcover only
- ✓ Clothing: 3 white crewneck T-shirts only (no decals and no pockets)
- ✓ Clothing: 3 pairs of underwear/panties
- ✓ Clothing: 3 bras (no underwire)
- ✓ Clothing: 3 pairs of white socks
- ✓ Linens: 3 washcloths
- ✓ Shoes: sneakers only if worn into the institution and with no metal parts
- ✓ Property you can’t keep: wallet/keys/jewelry and other personal property will be placed in storage until transfer, release, or release to a designee
- ✓ Storage deadline: items left 30 days after release will be destroyed
- ✓ Risk reminder: Chester County Prison is not responsible for personal property or clothing that is lost, damaged, or stolen
- ✓ Short stays: essential hygiene items are provided; those residing one week or less should not expect to receive canteen
Need property released to someone? Ask about the release process as soon as possible. Personal property stays in storage until transfer or release, and anything left 30 days after release gets destroyed. Acting early prevents last-minute confusion and keeps items from being lost to the deadline.
Note: Prescription meds won't be accepted automatically - they require Medical Department approval or they'll be discarded. Skip nude photos entirely. And don't hand over valuables you can't afford to lose - the prison isn't responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen property.
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