Chester County Inmate Search
A Chester County inmate search is an inquiry into records and information about current or former inmates incarcerated in County correctional facilities. The information obtained from an inmate search can help interested persons uncover details about inmate arrest charges, location, sentence, bail or bond information, and release date. This information is deemed a part of Chester County Public Records and is disclosed to the public on request.
An inmate search is essential to public safety and community interest. The public nature of inmate records helps attorneys who want to offer pro-bono services to indigent inmates or inmates who have experienced unfair trials. It is also a means for residents of Chester County, Pennsylvania, to check an individual's criminal history and be aware of registered sex offenders in their communities. Similarly, family members and concerned persons can stay updated on the arrest data, information about possible fines, an inmate's well-being, changes in their case, release dates, and related questions or queries.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Chester County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
According to crime statistics compiled by the Pennsylvania State Police, Chester County Police arrested, booked, and cleared 2,590 offenders in 2022 and 2,207 in 2021. Statistics indicate that only 44.5% and 39.03% of reported crimes in both years led to arrests and possible incarceration. In 2022, Chester Sherrif's Department documented 5,814 crime reports, and the police arrested 2,590 people in response. The most recurrent crimes in Chester County are:
- Larceny (theft)
- Simple Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Burglary (breaking and entering)
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Rape.
Of the aforementioned crimes, larceny, simple assault, and burglary have remained the most prevalent crimes in Chester County for almost a decade.
Chester County Prison System
The Chester County Prison is the County's primary prison facility. It is a maximum security prison with a 685-bed holding capacity. Inmates in the county prison are not all convicted criminal offenders; some inmates are awaiting trial while in custody.
The other holding facilities in the County are the State Correctional Institution (SCI-Chester) and the Chester Youth Center. SCI Chester is a medium security state prison. It has a 1,175-bed capacity. SCI-Chester is a special facility for inmates with a history of substance abuse. This structure treats and rehabilitates drug and substance users and addicts while they serve their prison terms.
The Chester Youth Center is a juvenile rehabilitation center for delinquents between 10-21. The housing capacity for the Center is 12 beds for females and 36 for males. Young offenders are placed in juvenile detention under the authority of the Chester County Juvenile Probation Office and the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
The Chester County Prison System is under the administration and control of the Chester County Sheriff's Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
How to Find an Inmate in Chester County
To find information on inmates in Chester County, contact or visit the Sheriff's Department or the prison facilities to make the necessary inquiries.
Chester County Sheriff's Office
201 West Market Street
Suite 1201
West Chester, PA 19382-0991
Phone: (610) 344-6850
Callers or in-person requests should ensure they have additional information about the inmate, like the full name, age, sex, date of birth, inmate ID, or the date of arrest. Alternatively, individuals may check the Chester County Crime Watch for details on recently arrested persons in the County and other parts of Pennsylvania.
How Does a Chester County Inmate Search Work?
Per the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know-Law, all state and government records are public records exempt by federal or state law, statute, court order, or privilege (doctor-patient, attorney-client). The law provides that anyone who is a legal resident of the US has the right to request and view public records.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, alongside the Chester County Sheriff's Office, is responsible for inmate information and determines the process for disseminating it. These government agencies provide access to inmate information and have the right to withhold confidential or sensitive records. Researchers can find the following information in a Chester County inmate search:
- Inmate's first name and last name
- ID number
- Sex
- Physical description - Height, weight
- Age and date of birth
- Race and nationality
- Photograph
- Date of offense
- Date of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Charges
- Booking date and time
- County of arrest
- Current holding facility
- Trial date
- Case status
- Court type and court name
- Bond type and amount
- Duration of sentence
- Release date.
Where to Find a Chester County Inmate Locator
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate/Parolee Locator is an online database of individuals detained in all counties. Public members can use this search tool to find inmate information for free. The user is required to fill out details in the search criteria like the inmate's full name, ID number, gender, race, age, nationality, citizenship, County where the crime took place, and the current location of the inmate.
Third-party inmate locators are another means to locate inmate records in the County. The advantage of third-party services is that there are no geographical restrictions; anyone can look up Chester County inmate information from any part of the world. The downside is that some information may be inconsistent or incomplete because they're not government-owned.
How to Send Money to a Chester County Inmate
Pennsylvania prison facilities do not accept money orders, cash, or check deposits via mail or at the facility drop-off box. Visitors can only deposit funds in inmate accounts at the lobby kiosk machine. This machine only accepts cash, debit, and credit master cards.
People can also make payments with the GTL Inmate Account Deposit. This online system allows individuals to send money directly to an inmate's commissary account and pay for their phone calls to communicate with loved ones.
How to Visit a Chester County Inmate
Visitation rules and schedules often vary from one facility to the other. In the Chester County Prison, visiting schedules are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM, and 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. While at the State Correctional Institution, visiting hours are Fridays to Tuesdays, 2:30 PM - 8:30 PM.
Individuals must adhere to the following visiting rules to be authorized to visit an inmate:
- Only individuals named in the inmate's visitation list may be permitted to visit the inmate. Inmates are allowed to have only one visit per day for 30 minutes.
- Contact the Warden to schedule an appointment to visit at a suitable date and time.
- Visitors must present a means of identification to enter the facility. Adult visitors will need a complete picture I.D card (a U.S driver's license or any other U.S-issued ID that bears the visitor's name, age, date of birth, and address.
- Visitors under 18 may present a student ID Card or any other ID showing their name, age, and address.
- Inmates may receive no more than three authorized visitors who must enter as a group.
- All visitors must submit themselves for a thorough security search.
- Do not go into the visiting area with any item, whether food, mail, money, phone, or smoke.
- Pets are not allowed on the prison premises.
Displays of disruptive behaviors, inappropriate conduct, or general disregard for rules may result in suspension or termination of visiting privileges.
How to Send Jail Mail in Chester County
The general public can exchange correspondence with inmates detained in Chester County through written mail. However, the sender must ensure that the mail does not contain any contraband items and is addressed correctly. Save for detention centers with a different address, here is how to address an inmate's mail:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Facility Name
P.O. Box or Street address
City, State, Zip Code
Individuals sending non-legal mail to detainees in the State Correctional Institute Chester should use the format below. Legal mail must be sent directly to the facility address.
Smart Communications/PADOC
Inmate Full Name/Inmate ID Number
Name of Institution
P.O. Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733
If the mail is not addressed correctly, the holding facility will return it to its sender. Prison officials inspect the mail for contraband before delivering it to the addressee. Anyone who attempts to send contraband items to an inmate may be liable for a criminal offense. The following items constitute contraband in inmate correspondence:
- More than ten photographs
- Photographs bigger than "5x7"
- Laminated or Polaroid pictures
- Envelopes, blank papers, markers, pencils, pens, or other stationery
- Photo postcards or photo albums
- Gang-related material or anything inciting violence
- Lewd or sexually explicit pictures
- Stickers, glitter, tape, or buttons
- Flowers, feathers, snacks or food
- Credit cards, phone cards, musical cards, or voice recording cards
- CDs/DVDs
- Cash, personal checks, or money orders
- Books, magazines, and newspapers.
Chester County Jails and Prisons
The following is a compilation of the names, contact information, and addresses of Chester County detention centers and prison facilities:
State Correctional Institution Chester
500 E 4th Street
Chester, PA 19013
Phone: (610) 490-5412
Chester County Prison
501 South Wawaset Road
West Chester, PA 19382-6776
Phone: (610) 344-5040 - Prison
Phone: (610) 344-4222 - Correctional Center
Chester County Youth Center
505 South Wawaset Road
West Chester, PA 19382
Phone: (610) 344-6700
