Montgomery County Inmate Search
In Montgomery County, an arrest is necessary when there is a risk to public safety or to ensure that the accused individual appears in court to face their charges. Under Pennsylvania law, a police officer can arrest with or without a warrant. If the officer observes a crime being committed, they have cause to arrest without a warrant. The officer also has reason to arrest the person named in a warrant issued by a judge.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has its specific process for incarcerating individuals who have been arrested and charged with a crime. The incarceration process is as follows:
- When a person is arrested in Montgomery County, they are taken to a local police station or holding facility for processing. They are then transported to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF), the county's primary jail, and overseen by the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.
- Once at the MCCF, the individual is booked and processed. This process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and a thorough search for any contraband. The individual is then given a medical screening and assigned a housing unit within the jail based on their gender, classification, and any special needs they may have.
- The individual is allowed to make phone calls to family members or an attorney, and they will have a court hearing within 72 hours. This hearing will determine whether they will be held in jail or released on bail.
- While incarcerated, individuals have access to medical care, counseling services, and educational and vocational programs to help prepare them for reentry into society. Visitation is also allowed, but visitors must follow specific rules and guidelines.
- If the individual is found guilty or pleads guilty to their charges, they will be sentenced by a judge. After the sentence, they will either remain in the MCCF or be transferred to a state prison to serve their sentence. If released, the MCCF will provide them with resources to help them reintegrate into society.
Though they are all incarcerated, not all inmates are the same in Montgomery county Inmates can be classified based on several factors. These factors include: age, gender, race, criminal history, security level, and the nature of their offense. Inmates may also be placed in protective custody if they have a history of violence or fear for their safety while in jail.
One can search for Montgomery county inmates on the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office website. An alternate way to look up Montgomery county inmates is through an inmate locator tool.
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.
Montgomery County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
According to the 2020 Montgomery County District Attorney's Annual Report, there were a total of 13,542 arrests made in Montgomery County during the year. According to this report, the most prevalent crimes in Montgomery County include the following:
Drug offenses which is the highest reported offense, with 2,744 cases reported, and include drug possession, distribution, and manufacturing.
The second most reported offense is driving under the influence (DUI), with 1,474 cases reported. This is a severe crime that can lead to fines, license suspension, and even incarceration.
Assault ranks as the third most reported crime, with 1,196 cases reported. Theft stands as the fourth most reported offense, with 1,045 cases reported.
Additionally, the fifth most reported offense is disorderly conduct, with 934 cases reported. Other offenses include all other reported crimes that do not fall into the categories mentioned and accounted for 6,149 cases.
Montgomery County's Crime Mapping Tool provides a more detailed breakdown of generally reported crimes in the county.
Montgomery County Prison System.
There are no state correctional facilities located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. However, Montgomery County has a county prison facility located in Eagleville, Pennsylvania, called the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. The Montgomery County prison system is overseen by the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.
The Montgomery County Correctional Facility has a capacity of 1479 inmates and is staffed by over 400 employees, including correctional officers, medical personnel, and administrative staff. It is a medium-security prison that houses male and female inmates awaiting trial, serving a sentence or being held for other law enforcement agencies.
It is accredited by the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, which indicates that the facility meets nationally recognized standards for correctional facilities.
The Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation offers many programs to help inmates rehabilitate and reintegrate into society. These programs include substance abuse treatment, educational classes, vocational training, and counseling services. The department also provides mental health services and medical care to inmates.
Montgomery county also operates a juvenile detention center called Montgomery County Juvenile detention Center and a correctional center called Montgomery County Community Corrections center.
How to Find an Inmate in Montgomery County
There are several ways to find an inmate in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania:
Inmate Locator Tool: Individuals can use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator tool available on the Montgomery County Department of Corrections website. The search parameters include inmate last name or inmate number.
Phone: One can contact the Montgomery County Department of Corrections at (610) 630-9390 to inquire about an inmate's location.
In-person: Individuals can visit the Montgomery County Correctional Facility located at 60 Eagleville Road, Eagleville, PA 19403, to inquire about an inmate's location.
Written Request: One can also send a written request to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, asking for information about an inmate's location.
Some inmates may not be listed on the website or have been transferred to another facility, so it is always best to confirm with the Montgomery County Department of Corrections. Through them, one can get the most up-to-date information on an inmate's location.
How Does a Montgomery County Inmate Search Work?
In Montgomery County, there are laws that allow a person to conduct an inmate search.
The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (RTKL) provides access to public records, including information about inmates in the Montgomery County correctional facility. A person can submit a request for records under the RTKL to the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.
The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) allows law enforcement agencies and authorized employers to access criminal history records, which may include information about an inmate's criminal record. Some information about inmates may not be publicly available or may require a valid reason for access, such as health information or juvenile data.
Some details that can be found when searching for an inmate in Montgomery County include:
- Inmate's current location: One can find out where the inmate is currently being held, such as in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility or at another facility.
- Sentencing information: One can find out what sentence the inmate received, including the length of the sentence.
- Booking and release dates: One can find out when the inmate was booked into jail and when they were released.
- Charges: One can find out what charges the inmate is facing, as well as the severity of the charges.
- Bail amount: One can find out the amount of bail that has been set for the inmate.
- Mugshot: One can usually see a mugshot of the inmate.
- Personal information: One may be able to find some basic personal information about the inmate, such as their name, age, gender, and race.
- Court information: One can find information about the court case associated with the inmate, such as the date of the next court appearance.
- Arresting Agency: One can find out which agency made the arrest, such as the local police department or the county sheriff's office.
- Inmate programs: One can learn about any programs or services available to the inmate, such as educational classes, job training, or substance abuse counseling.
Where to Find a Montgomery County Inmate Locator
Some of the inmate locators in Montgomery County include:
- Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation Inmate Search: A person can use this inmate search tool on the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation website to find information about inmates in the county's correctional facilities. Using this tool, one can search using the inmate's name, booking number, or case number.
- Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator: This inmate locator tool can be used to search for inmates across the state's correctional facilities, including those in Montgomery County. Using this tool, one can search for inmates by name or inmate number.
Some third-party inmate locators that can be used in Montgomery County for a fee include VineLink, Golookup, Pigeonly, and InmateAid. It's important to note that the information provided by these inmate search tools may not be up to date. It is a good idea to contact the appropriate authorities for the most accurate and current information.
How to Send Money to a Montgomery County Inmate
Some of the ways to send money to an inmate in Montgomery County include:
- Online: A Person can send money to an inmate online through JPay, a trusted third-party provider that serves several facilities. To use JPay, create an account on their website, select the state and facility where the inmate is located, and enter the inmate's ID number. The money can then be paid into the inmate's trust account using a debit or credit card.
- Mail: Money orders or cashier's checks can be sent to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. The money order or cashier's check is made payable to the inmate by including their full name and ID number. In case it needs to be returned, the sender's name and address should be written on the envelope.
- Lobby Kiosk: The Montgomery County Correctional Facility has lobby kiosks for depositing money directly into an inmate's trust account using cash or a credit card. There is a fee for using this service.
- Phone: A person can send money over the phone by calling JPay's customer service, providing the inmate's ID number and facility number then pay using a debit or credit card.
Always check with the facility and service provider for details on processing times and fees, as some of these services may come at a fee.
How to Visit a Montgomery County Inmate
It is necessary to confirm the facility where the inmate is being held before scheduling a visit to them. This can be done by using an inmate locator or calling the holding facility. The process to follow when visiting an inmate in Montgomery County include the following:
- Schedule a visit: Schedule a visit online through the Montgomery County Correctional Facility website. Visitors need to create an account and provide their name, address, phone number, and email address.
- Complete the visitation application: Also, on the website, visitors are required to fill out a visitation application form. They need to provide their name, address, phone number, email address, and information about the inmate they intend to visit.
- Pass the Background Check: All visitors must pass a criminal background check before visiting an inmate. The Montgomery County Department of Corrections will conduct the background check once they receive the visitor application.
- Dress Code: Visitors must follow the facility's dress code and act appropriately. The drey must wear suitable clothing, such as a shirt and pants or a dress/skirt that covers the knees. Visitors are not allowed to wear revealing or provocative clothing.
- Check-In: Visitors are advised to arrive 15 minutes early to the scheduled visit. They are to check in with the front desk, present their valid state identification, and follow the rules and regulations regarding dress code, behavior, and personal items.
How to Send Jail Mail in Montgomery County
Individuals who wish to send packages to Montgomery County inmates must follow the facility's guidelines. Mail should be addressed properly to the inmate (include inmate ID number) and sent to the mailing address for the correctional facility unless it may be returned to sender. General guidelines to ensure that your mail reaches the inmate include:
- Package the items appropriately: Adhere to the facility's guidelines which specify the size and type of packaging materials allowed as jail mail.
- Use an approved vendor: Some facilities have approved vendors who can ship the packages directly to the prison. Vendors have an assortment of available items that can be purchased on their websites. Buyers need to pay for the package and shipping fees. Vendors usually provide tracking information to monitor the package's delivery status.
Only approved items can be delivered as mail to inmates in Montgomery County. Some approved items include letters, photos, books or magazines, legal materials, money orders, and cashier's checks. Approved personal items that can be sent by mail include hygiene items or religious materials, which are to be sent directly from a vendor or manufacturer.
In Montgomery County, jail mail is delivered to inmates Monday through Friday, with the exception of holidays. Facility staff checks the incoming mail for prohibited items before distributing it to the inmates. Once the mail is cleared, it is delivered to the inmate's housing unit or cell. Inmates collect their mail from a designated area in their housing unit or cell block.
Montgomery County Jails and Prisons
The jail facilities, prisons, and detention centers in Montgomery county include
Montgomery County Correctional Facility
60 Eagleville Road,
Eagleville, PA 19403
Phone: (610) 635-7100
Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center
540 Port Indian Road
Norristown, PA 19403
Phone: (610) 631-1893
Montgomery County Community Corrections Center
1991 Sproul Road,
Suite 21, Broomall, PA 19008
Phone: (610) 259-8850
