How to Schedule a Visit at SCI Mahanoy (IVS): Understanding the 2‑Day vs 3‑Day Guidance

For SCI Mahanoy, both contact (in-person) visits and video visits are scheduled through the Pennsylvania DOC Inmate Visitation System (IVS). Before you can book anything, you’ll need to create your own IVS account and you must already be on the incarcerated person’s authorized visitor list - if you aren’t on that list, the system won’t let you schedule. The DOC’s IVS page and the Visitor Guide are the two key references to keep handy as you plan.

Here’s the part that trips people up: PA DOC guidance doesn’t say the same thing everywhere about how far ahead you have to schedule. One DOC page says all visits must be scheduled at least two days in advance using IVS. But the Visitor Guide (and the IVS site itself) says visits must be scheduled at least three days in advance - and it also adds that you can’t schedule more than 60 days ahead. If you’re trying to line up time off work, childcare, or a long drive, that difference between “2 days” and “3 days” can matter.

1. Create your IVS account - IVS uses Pennsylvania’s Keystone system, so you’ll register/sign in through Keystone as part of setting up access.
2. Use the same info that’s on the authorized visitor list - your name and personal details need to match what the facility has on file for you as an approved visitor, or scheduling can get stuck.
3. Sign in to IVS and try scheduling - once your account is set up and you’re authorized, you can choose an available time slot in the system.

If you can’t schedule, or you’re unsure which timing rule you’re being held to, start by contacting your loved one’s facility for help. If you still need support, you can also email PA DOC Central Office at ra-crdocinmatevss@pa.gov.

When you reach out, be specific about what you’re seeing: one official DOC page says “at least 2 days in advance,” while the Visitor Guide and the IVS site say “at least 3 days in advance” and “no more than 60 days ahead.” Naming the discrepancy up front makes it easier for staff or support to tell you which rule they’re applying to your visit.

Practical Planning Checklist

• ✓ Schedule through IVS (contact and video visits are booked in advance there).
• ✓ Create your IVS account and make sure you’re on the incarcerated person’s authorized visitor list before you try to book.
• ✓ Keep one IVS account per person; multiple accounts can interfere with approval and scheduling.
• ✓ Use consistent personal information (name and other details should match what the facility has for you as an authorized visitor).
• ✓ Schedule as early as you can within the system’s window (the IVS/Visitor Guide guidance says you can’t book more than 60 days ahead).
• ✓ If you need to cancel, do it as far in advance as possible - the Visitor Guide sets a minimum of 3 days before the visit.
• ✓ Watch the email tied to your IVS account; if the facility cancels a scheduled visit, IVS will notify you by email.

Before you leave home, double-check your visit status in IVS and look at the email connected to your IVS account for any cancellation notice. And because the “2 days vs 3 days” rule appears in different official places, verify the lead time you’re expected to follow so you don’t show up after planning around the wrong cutoff.