General guidance for Mail and Photos
Mail and Photos at SCI Mercer: start with our general mail and photos guide, then confirm details with the facility at (724) 662-1837.
Find inmate search, visitation, mail, phone, and commissary information for SCI Mercer in Mercer, PA. Use this guide to confirm facility details and next steps.
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If this facility uses DOC's Inmate Visitation System (IVS) for video visits, you'll connect through Zoom using a link from IVS or your confirmation email.
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All Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC) facilities use JPay for inmate money transfers. If you want to help with commissary purchases or other approved spending, JPay is the only payment channel you'll need.
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Your first visit to SCI Mercer goes a lot smoother when you know what to expect. Here's a quick prep guide so you can focus on the visit itself—not last-minute surprises.
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SCI Mercer handles all visits through the Pennsylvania DOC Inmate Visitation System (IVS), covering both in-person and video visits. Your identity is verified through a Keystone login, and every adult visitor needs their own IVS account. You must also be on the inmate's authorized visitors list before any visit can be approved. Professional visitors should call the Superintendent's Assistant to schedule or cancel video visits. Cancellations are processed in IVS and generate an automated email. For video visits, use the IVS link close to your scheduled time since sessions run back-to-back. Bring a current government-issued photo ID that includes your date of birth, and make sure the address you provide matches what's on your ID.
Read full guideSCI Mercer uses the IVS video system for remote visits. You can join by clicking the Video Call URL inside IVS, using the link in your confirmation email, or entering the Meeting ID and password in the Zoom app. Professional visitors must call the Superintendent's Assistant to schedule a video visit, since the assistant manages professional scheduling in IVS. To cancel a professional visit, call the Superintendent's Assistant. They'll cancel it in IVS, which triggers an automated cancellation email. When a professional visitor is added to IVS, they need to provide agency and contact information. For other visitor types, the general remote-visit setup applies: create a vendor account, complete identity verification, request a connection, and wait for facility approval. Some services require vendor credits, and all communications are monitored.
Read full guideSCI Mercer accepts electronic deposits through JPay and mailed money orders to fund an inmate's account. JPay shares sender names with the Department of Corrections, so you can't send money anonymously. Money orders are accepted up to $999.99 each and don't carry a fee, per JPay instructions. Deposited funds can go toward commissary, phone, or tablet balances. Tablets can only be ordered by the inmate through the DOC commissary, so if they're purchasing one, you'll need to send funds through JPay. When sending money, include the inmate's full name and facility ID or booking number, plus your name and contact information on the deposit slip or money order.
Read full guideMail and Photos at SCI Mercer: start with our general mail and photos guide, then confirm details with the facility at (724) 662-1837.
Yes. Pennsylvania DOC supports both in-person and video visits through the Inmate Visitation System (IVS).
VisitationYes. IVS verifies your identity using a Keystone login, so you'll need a Keystone account to schedule and join visits.
VisitationProfessional visitors must call the Superintendent’s Assistant to schedule or cancel video visits. Cancellations are processed in IVS and trigger an automated cancellation email.
VisitationCall the Superintendent’s Assistant to request and schedule the professional video visit. The Superintendent’s Assistant adds the professional visitor to IVS and manages the booking.
CommunicationJoin by clicking the Video Call URL in IVS or the URL in your confirmation email. You can also open the Zoom app and enter the Meeting ID and password for the visit.
CommunicationCall the Superintendent's Assistant to request the cancellation. They'll cancel the visit in IVS, and an automated cancellation email will be sent.
CommunicationSearch for your loved one to start communicating today
SCI Mercer offers both in-person and video visitation through the Pennsylvania DOC. You can use the Inmate Visitation System to schedule or join visits.
This guide is based on feedback from 160 families and official facility documentation. Learn how we verify