How to Contact an Inmate at SCI Dallas (PA)

Both in-person and video visits at SCI Dallas must be scheduled ahead of time. You'll need to book at least 3 days before the visit date, and you can't schedule more than 60 days in advance. No last-minute plans here.

Doing a video visit from an Android phone or tablet? You'll need the Zoom Cloud Meetings app installed beforehand. Download it from Google Play or the App Store well before your scheduled visit, not the day of.

If you're driving onto SCI Dallas property, vehicle rules are part of the visit. Lock your car and close all windows. Any equipment like ladders or toolboxes needs to be secured. Vehicles are subject to search, so keep things tidy and leave anything questionable at home.

SCI Dallas uses the Pennsylvania DOC's third-party mail vendor, Smart Communications, for general incoming correspondence (letters, photos, greeting cards). Your envelope needs a full return address with the sender's first and last name, plus the inmate's full name and inmate number. Sending photos? Keep it to 25 per mailing. Originals cannot be returned and are securely destroyed after 45 days. To add money to an inmate's account, deposits go through JPay. You can deposit online through JPay, by phone at 800-574-5729, by sending a money order to JPay, or at lobby kiosks located at each state prison.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Schedule your in-person or video visit in advance (no sooner than 60 days out, and no later than 3 days before the visit).

1. Install Zoom Cloud Meetings ahead of time: For Android phones and tablets, download and install the Zoom Cloud Meetings app (Google Play or the App Store) before your scheduled video visit.
2. Do a quick device check before the visit: Open the app and make sure it runs on your device so you are not troubleshooting at the start of your scheduled time.

• ✓ Expect search procedures for every visitor, regardless of age.
• ✓ Plan to go through a metal detector.
• ✓ If you drive on prison property, lock your vehicle, close the windows, secure any equipment, and be prepared for your vehicle to be searched.

• ✓ For letters, photos, and greeting cards, send general mail through Smart Communications and include a full return address (first and last name) plus the inmate’s full name and inmate number.
• ✓ Keep photos to 25 per mailing. Do not send irreplaceable originals since photos cannot be returned and originals are destroyed after 45 days.
• ✓ To deposit funds, use JPay (online, by phone at 800-574-5729, by money order to JPay, or at lobby kiosks at each state prison).

Before making firm plans, double-check the current scheduling rules for SCI Dallas visits. The standard requirement is at least 3 days' advance notice and no more than 60 days out, but procedures can change. You don't want to lose a visit over a timing issue.

For video visits, confirm app and device requirements before your scheduled time. SCI Dallas has required the Zoom Cloud Meetings app for Android/tablet video visits. Verify that Zoom is still the required platform and that your specific device works.

Mail policies are strict, so verify the current Smart Communications address format and photo limits before sending anything. General incoming correspondence (including photos) must go through Smart Communications and needs your full return address plus the inmate's full name and inmate number. Confirm the 25-photo-per-mailing limit still applies, and remember that original photos are not returned and are destroyed after 45 days.

If you're adding funds, confirm the current deposit options through JPay before sending money. The listed methods are JPay online deposits, phone deposits at 800-574-5729, money orders sent to JPay, and lobby kiosks at each state prison. Worth verifying nothing has changed, since deposits affect someone's day-to-day needs.