How Many People Can Join a Visit? (PA DOC rules for in-person and video visits)
PA DOC sets clear limits on how many people can join a visit — plus monthly quotas that affect how often your loved one sees visitors. Here's how the numbers break down for in-person and video visits, so you can plan ahead.
In-person visits allow up to 4 authorized visitors at a time. Bigger group? You'll need to decide who goes this time and who rotates in later.
Video visits have a higher cap: up to 6 authorized visitors can join. That makes video a solid option for larger families who want to be together on the call - even when not everyone can make the trip in person.
Monthly quotas matter just as much as headcount. General population inmates get up to 6 video visits per month. Use them all early, and you'll have to wait until next month for more - even if your family is ready to visit.
In-person visits have a tighter cap: general population inmates may receive up to 4 contact visits per month. If multiple relatives want to visit in person, coordinate ahead so you don't burn through the month's visits too fast.
Note: These monthly visit quotas are subject to change based on operational needs, so the number you can schedule may not always match the maximum.
Plan for a video visit to run 45 minutes. That’s helpful for coordinating work breaks, school schedules, and making sure everyone who’s joining is ready before the session starts.
Contact (in-person) visits are a minimum of one hour. If you’re traveling, build in extra time beyond the visit itself so you’re not rushing - especially when multiple family members are coming together.
Practical Tips
- ✓ If you’re planning an in-person visit, pick your group carefully: only up to 4 authorized visitors can attend at once.
- ✓ For video visits, you can include a larger group (up to 6 authorized visitors), which can help when family is spread out.
- ✓ Rotate who attends across the month if more people want time - general population inmates may only receive up to 6 video visits and 4 contact visits per month.
- ✓ Decide ahead of time whether you want to “save” in-person visits for key dates and use video visits for quick check-ins.
All visits - in-person and video - must be scheduled in advance through the PA DOC Inmate Visitation System (IVS). How far ahead? You'll find conflicting guidance: one PA.gov page says at least 2 days in advance, while the IVS site says at least 3 days (and no more than 60 days out). Your safest bet: follow what IVS requires when you book, and schedule as early as the system allows.
Note: Even when you’re within the 4-person (in-person) or 6-person (video) limit, available times and monthly quotas can shift for operational reasons - confirm your plans in IVS before you travel.
- Schedule through IVS - all in-person and video visits must be booked in advance.
- Choose who’s attending - keep your group within the limit (up to 4 for in-person, up to 6 for video).
- Plan around the visit length - set aside about 45 minutes for video visits and at least one hour for contact visits so you’re not cutting it close.
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