Understanding Lancaster County Prison's $35 Processing Fee and Other Charges

Lancaster County Prison charges a $35 processing fee when someone is committed to the jail. This fee applies to every newly incarcerated person and to anyone who is re-incarcerated upon commitment.

Until that $35 fee is paid in full, financial privileges - including commissary access - are on hold. The facility creates an account at commitment through a contracted system, and any cash found on the person at intake goes into that account. This is often how the fee gets paid early in someone's stay.

When there are outstanding charges on an account, deposits get applied to those balances before any money becomes available for spending. Lancaster County Prison's policy: 100% of incoming funds go toward outstanding fees - except for medical fees. Medical charges are handled differently, with only 50% of deposits going toward that balance.

The account gets set up at commitment, and any cash found at intake goes into it. After that, family and friends can add funds a few ways: cash, credit, or debit at the kiosk in the LCP vestibule (service fee applies), online through JailATM™ (service fee applies), or by mailing a money order or certified check with the incarcerated person's name and identification number.

One thing to keep straight: commissary is separate from paid communication services. Securus Technologies handles video visitation, phone calls, eMessaging stamps, and tablet media. Those services have their own fees and aren't commissary purchases.

Lancaster County Prison charges a $3 administrative nursing fee for services provided by nursing staff.

Visits with a Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Doctor, or Dentist cost $5.

How someone ends up seeing the doctor affects whether that $5 charge applies. If nursing staff screens someone and doesn't refer them - but the person still demands to see the doctor - they'll be charged $5. But if nursing staff refers someone to the doctor after an initial sick call diagnosis, there's no fee.

If medical or dental fees accumulate, they can still be collected from deposits - just not the same way as other charges. Lancaster County Prison takes 50% of incoming funds for medical fees, which affects how quickly the remaining balance becomes available for other needs.

Beyond intake and medical costs, restitution can come into play. Anyone who intentionally damages or destroys jail property is financially responsible for that damage.

Clothing charges are another possibility. County-issued clothing that isn't returned at release gets charged to the person's account.

Misconduct fees can also be assessed. Anyone found violating Lancaster County Prison policy or procedures may face a fee, with the amount tied to how serious the infraction was.

If you're adding money to help someone get settled inside, know that deposits may go to balances first. Lancaster County Prison applies 100% of incoming funds to outstanding fees (excluding medical), so a deposit might reduce what's owed before any of it becomes spendable. You can deposit at the kiosk in the LCP vestibule using cash, credit, or debit, or online through JailATM™ - both options include service fees.

• ✓ Mail money orders or certified checks only, and include the incarcerated individual’s name and identification number; send to Lancaster County Prison, Attn: Inmate Accounts, 625 E. King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602.
• ✓ Expect funds to be applied to the person’s account that is created at commitment (including any money found on them at intake).

Wondering where the money actually goes? There's formal oversight in place. The Lancaster County Controller conducts annual financial audits of these accounts, which are maintained by Lancaster County Prison under the Director of Administration. For questions about a specific account, contact the prison's business office and ask how current deposits are being applied.