How Far in Advance Must You Schedule Visits at SCI Retreat? (Resolving the 2-day vs 3-day guidance)

If you’re trying to schedule a visit at SCI Retreat, you may run into two different instructions in PA DOC materials. One PA.gov service page says: “All visits must be scheduled at least two days in advance using our Inmate Visitation System (IVS).” The IVS/Visitor Guide language is stricter and also adds a booking window: “Visits must be scheduled at least 3 days in advance but cannot be scheduled beyond 60 days in advance.”

Those are both official statements, but they don’t match on the minimum scheduling lead time (2 days versus 3 days). The IVS/Visitor Guide also includes a clear “no more than 60 days ahead” limit, which can affect how far out you can plan.

At SCI Retreat, you don’t just show up and hope for the best - PA DOC requires that all in-person and video visits be scheduled ahead of time through the Inmate Visitation System (IVS). And scheduling only works if you’re approved to visit: you need an IVS account, and you must already be on the incarcerated person’s authorized visitor list before the system will let you book a time.

That’s why the “2 days vs 3 days” conflict matters in real life. If you try to schedule too close to the visit date, you can end up blocked from booking at the last minute - especially if the system (or staff relying on the IVS guidance) treats “at least 3 days” as the rule. On the other end, if you’re planning travel well ahead of time, the 60-day cap matters too: even if you’re ready to lock something in, you may not be able to schedule beyond that window yet.

To avoid getting turned away by the calendar rules, use the stricter guidance as your default: schedule visits at least three days in advance. When you’re planning farther out, treat 60 days as the maximum - if your preferred date is beyond that, set a reminder to schedule once you’re inside the 60-day window.

• ✓ Create an IVS account before you try to book a time.
• ✓ Confirm you’re on the incarcerated person’s authorized visitor list (you can’t schedule without this).
• ✓ Be ready to use a Keystone account (Keystone Login) for authentication/authorization when accessing IVS.

If you can’t schedule a visit the way you expect - or if you’re worried something changed - check the email tied to your IVS account. PA DOC’s guidance is that cancellations are sent by email to the address linked to IVS, so that inbox is your first place to look for updates.

If IVS won’t let you schedule within the timeframe you believe is correct, or you need clarification on what lead time is being enforced right now, contact SCI Retreat for help with IVS questions. And even after you’ve booked, keep monitoring the email linked to your IVS account - PA DOC’s process is to notify you there if the facility has to cancel a visit.