York County Inmate Search
Friends and family members looking for York County inmates can locate them by executing a York County inmate search. This search also benefits other members of the public, including lawyers, investigators, law enforcement, and victims.
Inmate details are integral to York County Public Records policy, preserved and dispensed to promote public safety and transparency. With the records, families, and friends can cope better by staying in touch with incarcerated loved ones during their time in prison. (Communication can also help inmates face the challenges of incarceration and reintegrate into society after they complete their sentences.) Meanwhile, legal professionals can look up York County inmate records for legal cases, and victims may need the information to track their offender's status.
York County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
As of January 11, 2023, the York County prison had an average daily population of 942 inmates, according to the prison warden's report. This number represents a 1.76% increase from the same month in the previous year.
York County Prison System
The York County Prison is the main detention facility in the county. The Prison Board oversees the facility, comprising the York County Sheriff, District Attorney, Controller, three county commissioners, and a judge from the Court of Common Pleas (19th Judicial District).
The prison is a 2,400-bed facility with 276 beds servicing the Work Release Center. It houses inmates serving sentences handed down by the Court of Common Pleas and individuals awaiting trial.
The facility may also hold state-sentenced prisoners until their transfer to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC). State-sentenced inmates are people convicted of certain serious crimes and sentenced to more than two years.
How to Find an Inmate in York County
Individuals who want to find an inmate in York County can use any of the following means:
- Contact or visit the York County Prison
- Use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate/Parolee Locator
- Use a third-party inmate search tool
How Does a York County Inmate Search Work?
The Pennsylvania Right-To-Know law (65 P.S. §67.101 et seq.) mandates state and local correctional bodies, including the York County Prison Board, to dispense records that they collect, generate, and maintain to the public, such as:
- An inmate's full name
- Date of birth
- Commitment county
- Height
- Gender
- Complexion
- Citizenship
As seen, records surrounding the arrest and incarceration of inmates are available to the public, but certain information is exempt from public access. There are 30 exceptions to the RTKL. Among them are records that, if released, could cause considerable harm to the subject of or someone mentioned in a record, such as a crime victim's name.
Where to Find a York County Inmate Locator
Individuals can find inmates using different resources or avenues, including:
Contacting the York County Prison
Once the Central Booking Division processes an individual, the person is transferred to the York County Prison, regardless of their legal status (i.e., awaiting trial or convicted). Members of the public can visit or call the prison facility or the division to find details about an inmate. Below is the division's contact information.
York Central Booking Division
45 North George Street
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9944, (717) 771-9576
Using the Pennsylvania Inmate/Parole Locator
Offenders convicted of serious crimes and serving more than two-year sentences are transferred to the custody of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC), regardless of their county of commitment. Interested individuals may use the DOC's Inmate/Parole locator to find where such inmates are detained.
The tool accepts searches by name, but users can narrow search results by providing additional details, such as an inmate's date of birth, citizenship, gender, or DOC or parole number.
The search produces details such as an inmate's current location, parole number, inmate number, complexion, citizenship, date of birth, ethnicity, and aliases.
Using Third-party Inmate Search Resources
Individuals can also use third-party sites to confirm an inmate's location. Private businesses offer these online resources and may charge for their services. Third-party sites may help users streamline the inmate search process, as these websites allow users to look up inmates in county and state custody from one place. Generally, people who want to use third-party locators are advised to exercise due diligence, as services and fees vary by site.
How to Send Jail Mail in York County
Inmates are allowed to receive mail from public officials, attorneys, friends and family, and other members of the public.
People who wish to send mail and packages to inmates in the York County Prison must follow the prison's rules and policies regarding inmate mail. For example, senders must only mail new magazines, books, and publications with indicating packing slips.
Every mail must be addressed in the following manner:
[Inmate's Name and ID Number]
York County Prison
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
York County Jails and Prisons
Below is the contact information for the prison in York County, Pennsylvania:
York County Prison
3400 Concord Road
York, PA 17402-9007
Phone: (717) 840-7580
