How Many Times Can You Visit Someone at SCI Mahanoy Each Month — In‑Person and Video Limits
Planning visits at SCI Mahanoy? Pennsylvania DOC sets separate monthly limits for in-person and video visits. Here's how many you can schedule, how long each one lasts, and how to avoid losing a slot.
At SCI Mahanoy, each inmate can receive up to four in‑person visits per month. That monthly allowance includes one weekend visit, so if you’re saving weekends for family time, plan around that cap early in the month.
In-person visits aren't quick drop-ins - contact visits last at least one hour. You can bring up to four visitors at a time (though some facilities across the PA system have different limits). If more relatives want to come, you'll need to rotate who attends each visit.
- ✓ Schedule your in‑person visit at least two days in advance through the PA DOC Inmate Visitation System (IVS)
- ✓ Create an IVS account and make sure you’re on the inmate’s authorized visitor list before you try to book
- ✓ Watch the email tied to your IVS account - if the facility cancels a scheduled visit, IVS will notify you there
Video visits run on a separate monthly limit from in-person visits. Every inmate is eligible for free video visits - up to six per month. Like in-person visits, that monthly video allowance includes one weekend slot.
Video visits run 45 minutes each - shorter than in-person, but a good option for more frequent check-ins. Up to six visitors can join a single video call, which helps when family is spread out. One thing to know: video visits are monitored and recorded, except for visits with legal counsel.
- ✓ Schedule video visits at least two days in advance using IVS
- ✓ Create your IVS account and confirm you’re on the inmate’s authorized visitor list before scheduling
The "includes one weekend visit" rule applies to both types. Your four in-person visits per month include one weekend slot, and your six video visits per month include one weekend slot. If weekends are your only option, book early - those slots fill fast, and the monthly cap makes them hard to juggle.
- Set up IVS once - create your IVS account so you’re ready to book when you see an opening.
- Get on the authorized list - you must be on the inmate’s authorized visitor list before you can schedule.
- Book at least two days ahead - all visits (in‑person and video) have to be scheduled at least two days in advance.
- Keep an eye on your email - if the facility cancels a scheduled visit, the notice goes to the email linked to your IVS account.
Tip: Track your totals separately - up to four in‑person visits per month and up to six video visits per month - so you don’t accidentally use up one category while planning the other.
Rules can vary. Visitor limits sometimes differ by facility or custody status, so if you're told a different limit applies - or you're trying to bring a larger group - it's usually tied to those exceptions.
Visiting rules can also change quickly during emergencies. If there's a major disruption to normal operations, the Secretary (or designee) can suspend any part of the visiting policy for a set period.
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- ✓ In‑person visits: up to 4 per month (includes 1 weekend visit)
- ✓ In‑person visit length: at least 1 hour
- ✓ In‑person visitor limit: up to 4 visitors per visit (some facility exceptions)
- ✓ Video visits: up to 6 per month (includes 1 weekend visit)
- ✓ Video visit length: 45 minutes
- ✓ Schedule all visits through IVS at least 2 days in advance
- ✓ To schedule, you need an IVS account and must be on the inmate’s authorized visitor list
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