SCI Phoenix

Every visit at SCI Phoenix goes through Pennsylvania's Inmate Visitation System (IVS), and you'll need a Keystone login to access it. You must be on the inmate's authorized visitors list, and each adult visitor needs their own IVS account. Visits must be scheduled at least three days in advance and no more than 60 days ahead. In-person visits are capped at four per month (including one weekend visit), last at least one hour, and allow up to four visitors per session. Video visits are free for inmates, capped at six per month (including one weekend video visit), and allow up to six visitors to join. When you arrive for an in-person visit, secure your vehicle and be prepared for searches and metal detection. There's no facility waiting area, and breaking the rules can get your visiting privileges suspended.

SCI Phoenix records and may review audio and video from all non-attorney video visits. Attorney video visits are not recorded. For phone calls, inmate telephones can dial numbers in the North American Calling Plan. Calls to U.S. states can be placed as collect or pre-paid, while calls to Puerto Rico, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean islands may be handled differently. To get started with remote communication, set up an account with the facility's approved vendor and complete identity verification. Then request a video visit or phone access. The vendor forwards your request to SCI Phoenix, and facility staff decide whether to approve it and which time slots are available. Review the vendor's payment, credit, and refund policies before scheduling.

SCI Phoenix directs family and friends to send money electronically, following the Department's "JPay Information" details for facility-specific instructions and available payment options. Common deposit methods (when available) include approved online or phone deposit services, lobby kiosks at some facilities, or mailed money orders, though the exact vendor and methods can vary by site. Deposits typically go to specific inmate accounts like commissary or trust funds, phone or prepaid accounts, or tablet balances. These funds cover things like commissary purchases, phone time, and tablet-related charges. If you're funding tablet use, you can add money to an inmate's tablet balance, but the inmate must order the tablet through the DOC commissary and have a JPay account. Always include the inmate's name and facility ID or booking number, plus your contact information, on any required forms.