How to Set Up Your First Visit at SCI Phoenix (IVS step-by-step)

Every visit at SCI Phoenix, whether in-person or video, gets scheduled through the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Visitation System (IVS). IVS uses Keystone Login to verify your identity. You'll need to sign in with your Keystone credentials before you can do anything else in the visitation system.

1. Create a Keystone Login - IVS uses Keystone Login to verify your identity, so you’ll need a Keystone account first.
2. Sign in to IVS with Keystone - log in using your Keystone username and password.
3. Confirm you can actually schedule - having an IVS login isn’t enough by itself. To schedule a visit, you must be on the inmate’s authorized visitor list.

Age matters here. Minors don't create their own IVS accounts. Instead, they get added under a parent or guardian's account. Once someone turns 18, they need to create their own IVS account, even if they were previously linked under an adult's profile as a minor.

You must be on your loved one's authorized visitor list before IVS will let you schedule anything. If you're not authorized yet, the system won't let you book a time. Confirm this early rather than waiting until the night before your trip.

• ✓ Ask your loved one to confirm you are on their authorized visitor list.
• ✓ If you’re not sure you’re authorized (or IVS won’t let you proceed), contact the facility where your loved one is located.
• ✓ If you still can’t resolve it, email Central Office at RA-CRDOCINMATEVSS@pa.gov.

Plan ahead, but know that the lead-time rules are described two different ways in official sources. Pennsylvania's scheduling guidance says visits must be scheduled at least 2 days in advance using IVS. The IVS site itself says at least 3 days in advance, and caps bookings at 60 days out. Since you're booking inside IVS, treat what the system actually shows you as the rule you need to follow.

1. Check the earliest date IVS will allow - when you try to schedule, IVS will show you what days are available based on the current lead-time rule.
2. Do not travel until you have a scheduled visit - all visits (in-person and video) must be scheduled in advance.
3. Verify if anything looks off - if the dates you need are blocked and you’re not sure whether it’s a 2-day or 3-day lead time issue, contact the facility, or email Central Office at RA-CRDOCINMATEVSS@pa.gov.

Bringing a child? Add them under the parent or guardian's IVS account. Don't try to create a separate login for a minor. Once that visitor turns 18, they'll need to create their own IVS account, even if they were previously linked under an adult's profile.

• ✓ Add the minor under the parent/guardian’s IVS account (minors do not need their own IVS account).
• ✓ Expect screening on DOC property: every visitor, regardless of age, is subject to search and must pass through a metal detector.

Troubleshooting Contacts

• ✓ For IVS scheduling questions or concerns, contact SCI Phoenix (the facility where your loved one is located).
• ✓ If needed, email Central Office at RA-CRDOCINMATEVSS@pa.gov.
• ✓ Keep an eye on the email address connected to your IVS account, since visit changes can be sent there.