Before Your First Visit: Metal Detectors, Kids' Hours, Scheduling, and Video Options at York County Prison
Your first visit goes smoother when you know the rules that can stop it before it starts. Here's what you need to know about scheduling, security screening, children's hours, disciplinary-status visits, and video options at York County Prison.
Before scheduling anything, confirm you're eligible. York County Prison doesn't allow former residents to visit for six months after release. And even if you meet the basic requirements, management can deny access for any reason - so treat every visit like a fresh check-in. Follow the rules, keep things simple.
Plan around the entry window: you can enter the prison 10 minutes before your scheduled visit. Show up too early and you'll wait outside. Cut it too close and you risk missing your slot once check-in and screening start.
Expect airport-style screening. Everyone entering the prison - visitors, belongings, all of it - goes through a metal detector and may be searched before reaching the visiting area.
Important: If the metal detector detects metal that can’t be identified and removed, the visit will not be granted.
Have an implanted metallic medical device? Bring documentation. York County Prison requires a medical card or other proof if your implant sets off the detector.
S3
- ✓ Handbags (without prior approval)
- ✓ Backpacks (without prior approval)
- ✓ Suitcases (without prior approval)
- ✓ Cameras (without prior approval)
- ✓ Electronic devices (without prior approval)
Don't assume past visits guarantee entry. Management can deny access for any reason, and bringing prohibited items can get you turned away. The safest approach: arrive with only what you truly need, keep clothing and accessories simple, and you won't get held up at screening.
Bringing kids? Timing matters. Children 13 and under can only enter during designated children's visiting hours. They must be accompanied by one adult who's on the resident's approved visitor list - so confirm that adult is approved before you plan the trip.
For reference, in-person visits for residents in male/female wings run daily in two blocks: 8:30–11:30 AM and 1:00–3:30 PM (Sunday through Saturday). Children's visits still need to fall within the facility's children's-hours rules, so double-check that your chosen time actually allows minors.
If your loved one is on disciplinary status (BAU), visits are more limited. Residents on BAU can have one face-to-face visit every 30 days - but only after serving their first 30 days.
Can't make it to the facility? York County Prison offers video visitation, letting you connect with residents remotely instead of traveling in person.
- ✓ Personal video visits: $15 for 0–30 minutes
- ✓ Professional video visits: $25.20 for 0–30 minutes
- ✓ Professional video visits: $50.40 for 31–60 minutes
- Log into your visitor account early - sign in at least 10 minutes before your next visit.
- Run the “Internet Visit Tester” - select “Internet Visit Tester” from the menu bar and follow the prompts to download the GTL VisBridge application and test your setup.
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