How to Schedule a Professional Video Visit with a Pennsylvania DOC SCI

A "professional visitor" is someone visiting in an official capacity rather than as a personal friend or family member. If you're scheduling for work-related reasons but aren't sure whether you qualify as a professional visitor, ask when you call the SCI.

Call the SCI where the inmate is housed and ask for the Superintendent's Assistant. They handle professional video visit scheduling for that institution, so calling the facility directly is your first step.

If the Superintendent's Assistant isn't available, leave a message. They'll return your call. No need to try a different office.

First time scheduling a professional video visit? The Superintendent's Assistant will add you to the inmate visitation system (IVS). Once you're set up, they'll coordinate a date and time with you.

Info Needed

• ✓ Name
• ✓ Agency
• ✓ Category
• ✓ Email address
• ✓ Agency address
• ✓ Phone number

After the visit is scheduled, you'll get an automated email confirmation at the address you provided. That email includes a connection guide and the link you'll use to join. If you need to find the link later, it's also listed in IVS under your visitor account in the upcoming visits section.

Your professional visitor details are shared across facilities. That means you should only need to be added once, even if you schedule visits at different PA DOC institutions later.

Need to cancel? Call the Superintendent's Assistant as far in advance as possible so they can remove the visit from IVS. You'll receive an automated cancellation email once it's processed.

You can join a professional video visit up to 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. Plan accordingly so you're not trying to connect too early.

1. Open the video visit URL - Use the link from your automated confirmation email (or from IVS under upcoming visits).
2. Launch the meeting in Zoom - After you click the URL, you will be directed to the Zoom site and select “Launch Meeting” to join.
3. Enter your name or email address - The Meeting ID will automatically populate, but you still must type in your name or email address to proceed.

Quick Tech

• ✓ Keep the automated confirmation email handy (it includes the connection guide and the link to connect).
• ✓ If you cannot find the email, locate the video visit URL in IVS under your visitor account, under upcoming visits.
• ✓ Check your camera and microphone settings before the start time so you are ready to join within the 5-minute early window.
• ✓ Be ready to enter your name or email address when Zoom opens (even though the Meeting ID auto-populates).