How to Send Messages to Inmates

You can use your phone or computer to send emails, letters, and photos to an inmate. Messages are sent electronically to inmate tablets or kiosks at the facility. If you would like to send a message, start by searching for an inmate at FCI McKean.

Sending Photos and Postcards

A great way to send love and support to a loved one at FCI McKean is to send photos and postcards. It only takes a few minutes to send photos from your phone and it makes a huge difference. You can also mail postcards with words of support and inspiration, or design your own postcard for special moments like birthdays and holidays.

Important! Be sure not to send any explicit photos or they may not be approved by the facility. You can also use a photo printing app like Penmate to make sure your photos are printed at the correct size (4x6 or 3x5) and are mailed according to the rules and regulations of FCI McKean.

Frequently asked questions about FCI McKean

1. How long does it take to deliver a message?

   If you're sending an email message your letter is usually delivered within 24-48 hours. For messages sent via mail you should expect delivery within 3-7 days. All messages will need be approved by FCI McKean.

2. How much does it cost to send a message to FCI McKean?

   You can send a message free using your phone or mail a message via USPS for the price of a $0.60 stamp and envelope. You can also purchase credits or e-stamps from services starting at $1.99.

3. What services can I use to contact an inmate at FCI McKean?

   Penmate

   You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's an easy way to stay in touch during your loved one's incarceration. Use the inmate locator to find an inmate's location and contact information, then you can send messages within a few minutes.

   Securus messaging

   Securus may be another option for communicating with an inmate at FCI McKean. You can create a friends and family account and purchase credits to send messages. All messages will be reviewed and must be approved by the facility.

   JPay

   Some county jails and state prisons may support sending messages with JPay. You must register an account with the system, find your loved one, and purchase stamps to send messages. For some locations you can also attach photos.

   Smart Jail Mail

   You may also check if Smart Jail Mail is available at FCI McKean. Smart Jail Mail is operated by Smart Communications and has contracted with some state and county jails. After purchasing credits, your messages and photos are sent to the facility, printed out, and then handed out to your loved one.

4. What is the mailing address of FCI McKean?

   Mailing address:

   FCI McKean
   6975 PA-59
   Lewis Run, PA 16738
   Phone: (814) 362-8900

   Business hours:

   • Monday: Closed
   • Tuesday: Closed
   • Wednesday: Closed
   • Thursday: Closed
   • Friday: Closed
   • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
   • Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

5. What are the visiting hours at FCI McKean?

   Visiting hours at FCI McKean vary by housing unit and security level. Generally, visits are scheduled on weekends and holidays, with some facilities offering weekday visits. Contact the facility directly at (814) 362-8900 or check their website for the current visiting schedule. Visits typically last 30-60 minutes and must be scheduled in advance.

6. What items are prohibited when sending mail to FCI McKean?

   Prohibited items typically include: cash, personal checks, stamps, stickers, glitter, glue, tape, staples, paperclips, polaroid photos, musical or blank greeting cards, hardcover books, magazines with staples, and any items containing metal or electronics. Only send letters on plain white paper with blue or black ink. Photos must be printed on regular photo paper (no Polaroids). Always check with FCI McKean for their specific mail policies.

7. How do I send money to an inmate at FCI McKean?

   You can send money to an inmate at FCI McKean through several methods: 1) Online using JPay, Access Corrections, or the facility's approved vendor, 2) Money orders mailed directly to the facility with the inmate's name and ID number, 3) Kiosks located in the facility lobby, or 4) Over the phone using a credit or debit card. Fees vary by method, typically ranging from $2.95 to $11.95 per transaction.

8. Can I schedule a video visit with an inmate at FCI McKean?

   Many facilities now offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. At FCI McKean, video visits may be available through services like Penmate, Securus Video Connect, GTL, or ICSolutions. Video visits typically cost $10-20 for 20-30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. You'll need a computer or smartphone with a camera and reliable internet connection. Contact the facility for their specific video visitation policies and approved vendors.

9. What identification do I need to visit an inmate at FCI McKean?

   All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide the minor's birth certificate. Some facilities require visitors to be on the inmate's approved visitation list, which may require a background check. Contact FCI McKean for specific ID requirements and visitor approval procedures.

10. How can I find out an inmate's release date?

    To find an inmate's release date at FCI McKean, you can: 1) Use the online inmate search tool if available, 2) Call the facility's records department, 3) Contact the inmate's case manager or counselor, or 4) Have the inmate provide this information during a call or visit. For privacy reasons, some facilities only release this information to immediate family members.

Programs & Services

FCI McKean is committed to providing a wide range of programs and services to its inmates. One of the primary focuses of the facility is ensuring that inmates have access to a variety of educational and vocational training courses. These programs are designed to help inmates acquire marketable job skills that will benefit them both while incarcerated and after their release.

The facility also offers a range of personal development courses and counseling services to help inmates address mental health issues, addiction, and other challenges they may face. The institution has dedicated resources to create a range of in-house programs which provides inmates of different sorts to learn including a robust second chance program, which provides education and training programs to help ensure that inmates have the tools and resources they need to re-enter society in a productive manner. Additionally, FCI McKean employs mental health providers who can offer individual counseling, group therapy sessions, and other services to help manage inmates' emotional and mental well-being. Inmates can also access a variety of religious and spiritual services to support their spiritual development. All these programs are aimed at inculcating and maintaining change to help the inmates become positively influenced pillars in their communities once they have completed their offending sentences remediation initiatives helping enrich society in the end when their stay eventually expires for redemption sake.

Moreover, families can also take part in various programs and services that effectively strengthen inmates' home life connections while in transition. An admirable Family Visiting Program at the facility creates beautifully opportune situations and relieve layers of strains in reconnecting loved ones which intern reduces massive depressive occurrences and eases inmates and former behavioral stagnating people into festive frames geared towards societal impartation. FCI capitalizes on counseling and the offer of some sort counseling expertise are emblematic features created alongside McKean per

Daily Life & Visitation

Daily life for inmates at FCI McKean is largely structured by routine. Each day includes various activities for inmates to participate in, but there is also a lot of downtime that allows inmates to watch TV, play card games or chat with other inmates. Inmates are housed in dormitory-style units instead of cells, which informs the daily dynamics and feeling of community among inmates. The dormitory feature, and an initiative called the Warehouse, encourages holistic group rehabilitation through continued collective activities, constant conflict resolution among and between inmates, and cooperation while officials work on incarceration bettering grant statistics.

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