Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Visitation

How to Visit Facility

Visiting SCI Greene takes some planning. Security screening starts before you even reach the visiting room, but knowing what to expect makes the whole process much smoother.

• 2 min read Based on general PA policies
How to Visit Facility

Security checks begin the moment you arrive. All vehicles on prison property can be searched, and every visitor goes through screening, including children. You'll need to pass through a metal detector before entering.

No waiting area: There is no waiting area at the facility. If someone is not visiting, they must leave the facility grounds, so plan your transportation and timing accordingly.

Follow the visiting regulations closely. Any violation can result in suspended visiting privileges, which affects future visits for both you and your loved one.

If your loved one is getting closer to release, the Reentry Service Office at SCI Greene can help. It serves inmates within 18 months of their minimum and/or release date, offering workshops on Life Skills, Budgeting, and Digital Literacy.

Steps to Follow

  • ✓ Arrive expecting your vehicle to be searched while on prison property.
  • ✓ Be ready for a search of every visitor, regardless of age.
  • ✓ Plan for metal detector screening before entry.
  • ✓ Do not bring extra people to “wait in the car” or on site. There is no waiting area, and non-visitors must leave the grounds.
  • ✓ Follow all visiting regulations carefully, violations can lead to suspension of visiting privileges.
How to Visit Facility
  1. Confirm screening expectations before you go: Ask staff what the current vehicle search process looks like and what to expect with visitor searches and the metal detector.
  2. Ask about age-related procedures: Since every visitor is subject to search regardless of age, confirm how the facility handles screening for minors and what you should do to keep things moving.
  3. Plan your ride and timing: Reconfirm that there is no waiting area and that anyone not visiting must leave the grounds, then coordinate drop-off and pick-up accordingly.
  4. Clarify which rule violations trigger a loss of visits: Because violations may result in suspension of visiting privileges, ask what the most common problems are so you can avoid them.
  5. If release is coming up, ask about reentry support: If your loved one is within 18 months of their minimum and/or release date, ask what Reentry Service Office services and workshops are currently available and how participants are selected.

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Before Your First Visit to SCI Greene: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Your first visit to SCI Greene will go much smoother if you set up the Inmate Visitation System (IVS) ahead of time and come prepared for security screening.

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.

Phone & Messaging

How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

Before helping your loved one use any in-facility communication technology, there's one documented policy to be aware of: inmates and reentrants can be held financially responsible for losses, costs, or damages they cause to Department information technology systems if the damage is intentional or negligent. This policy can apply broadly to technology used inside the facility, including devices or systems for messaging, video communication, or other IT-based services. That's the only facility-specific communication detail covered by the evidence provided here. Phone numbers, vendor names, messaging rules, visiting or video schedules, fee amounts, and how charges are calculated aren't included. You'll need to confirm those details directly with the facility.