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Before Your First Visit to SCI Greene: what to bring, vehicle prep, and what to expect at screening

Your first visit goes smoother when you handle the basics ahead of time: schedule through IVS, bring the right paperwork for kids, and show up ready for security screening and strict vehicle rules.

• 3 min read • pa.gov
Before Your First Visit to SCI Greene: what to bring, vehicle prep, and what to expect at screening

Before you make the drive to SCI Greene, confirm your visit is actually scheduled in Pennsylvania's Inmate Visitation System (IVS). You'll need an IVS account to book, and you must be on the incarcerated person's authorized visitors list. If you're not on the list, the system won't let you schedule.

Note: DOC sources aren't always consistent about scheduling lead times. Check the details in IVS directly, and keep your confirmation email handy - staff may ask you to verify your scheduled time.

Bringing children? Plan that part early. You'll need a DC‑313 form for any minors participating in the visit. Kids don't get their own IVS accounts - you add them under your account when scheduling.

Reminder: If a child is coming, make sure you have the required DC‑313 ready for that visit.

Vehicle Prep Parking

  • ✓ Lock your vehicle while you’re on prison property.
  • ✓ Roll up/close all windows.
  • ✓ Secure any equipment in or on your vehicle (for example, ladders or toolboxes).

Your car could be searched on prison property, so prep it like an inspection is coming. Keep the vehicle tidy and leave anything you wouldn't want questioned at home.

Everyone goes through a full security screening on arrival. That means a search and metal detector for every visitor, regardless of age. If you're bringing kids, let them know it's a quick check - similar to what you'd see at a courthouse or airport.

Heads up: There is no waiting area on site. Don’t bring someone who isn’t visiting to “wait in the car” - non-visitors must exit the facility grounds.

Knowing the limits helps you plan. Video visits run 45 minutes. In-person contact visits are at least one hour. Each inmate can receive up to four contact visits per month - including one weekend visit - with a maximum of four visitors per visit.

  1. Pull up your IVS confirmation email - confirm the date/time and the visit type you scheduled.
  2. Double-check authorization - you must be on the incarcerated person’s authorized visitors list for IVS scheduling to work.
  3. Fix account details that don’t match - IVS uses your registration information to validate you; mismatches can cause delays.
  4. Contact the facility if the schedule still doesn’t line up - if IVS shows you’re scheduled but you’re being told otherwise, follow DOC guidance to reach out to the facility to resolve the mismatch.
Before Your First Visit to SCI Greene: what to bring, vehicle prep, and what to expect at screening

Quick Tips and Reminders

  • ✓ Confirm your visit is scheduled in IVS and save the confirmation email.
  • ✓ If children are attending, make sure a DC‑313 is present for them and that they’re added under the parent/guardian’s account.
  • ✓ Lock your vehicle and roll up/close the windows once you’re on prison property.
  • ✓ Secure any equipment (like ladders or toolboxes) before you park.
  • ✓ Assume your vehicle may be searched while on prison property.
  • ✓ Be ready for screening: every visitor (including kids) is subject to search and must pass through a metal detector.

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