SCI Cambridge Springs

SCI Cambridge Springs, a minimum-security female facility located in Cambridge Spring, Pennsylvania. This prison opened in March 1992 and was formerly a college known as Polish National Alliance.  

The existing buildings were built in the 1930’s and 1940’s; however, construction of new housing units and renovations have since been completed. SCI-Cambridge Springs was accredited by the American Correctional Association in 2002 and has successfully achieved reaccreditation every 3 years since that time.

This facility features six housing units that consist of both cells and dormitory-style housing. The average inmate age is 38.

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SCI Cambridge Springs

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Visiting Hours and Rules

Please allow for no less than a one-hour visit. Visitors should arrive no less than TWO HOURS prior to closing of the visiting room.

Visiting Days/Times:
Monday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday: 8:45 am to 3:30 pm
Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday: CLOSED
MAX Number of Visitors per Inmate: 8 (includes children)

The vending machines accept CASH only. Nothing larger than coins, $1 and $5 bills are permitted. No more than $35 is permitted. All coins and bills must be contained in a clear, plastic bag or small clear change purse. DOC staff will not make change.

Visiting Rules

  • Vehicles must be locked while on prison property. Windows must be rolled up/closed. All equipment must be secured in or on your vehicle (such as ladders, tool boxes).
  • NEVER bring any gifts or money for the inmate. This must be done through JPay. Prisons will NOT accept money to be placed on an inmate’s account.
  • Cell phones and/or pagers are not permitted inside the SCIs. They must be properly secured in your locked vehicle prior to entering the SCI.
  • Any kind of device, whether worn or hand held, that has the capability of audio and/or video/photography recording and/or cell phone capabilities is NOT permitted. This could include, but is not limited to, eye glasses, tie tacks, lapel pins, wrist watches, pens, etc.
  • No purses, bags, diaper bags, etc., are permitted.
  • Due to space restrictions, visits may be terminated on a first in, first out basis, to make room for visitors that may be waiting.
  • Visiting room officers may assign specific seating locations for visitors and inmates, especially for those who are suspected of or have displayed problems with obeying procedures.
  • Unused visits per week may not be carried over into the following week. It’s a “use them or lose them” rule.
  • At most facilities, lockers are available for use. Some lockers may require a deposit ranging from 25 cents to $10. Items not permitted in the visiting room should either be left in your vehicle or placed in the locker. All vehicles and lockers are subject to search.

Video Visitation

Starting Aug. 19, 2020, the DOC unveiled a new video visitation program that will remain throughout the duration of COVID-19 and beyond, even when in-person visits resume. For complete details about how to participate and how to schedule a video visit, read the Video Visitation Visitors Guide.

Video visitation is a free service being offered to inmates and authorized visitors, and all inmates are eligible to participate. The visiting rules for Video Visitation are generally the same as those for visiting in the facility.

To sign up and schedule a visit, check out the visitation scheduler system.

Visitors who have been restricted from visiting any institution may not participate in this program. If any inappropriate conduct occurs on the behalf of the inmate or the visitor the visit shall be terminated.

Physical Address

SCI Cambridge Springs
451 Fullerton Avenue
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238

Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/EmQuxKJuUpLLVBkQ8

General Phone Number

(814) 398-5400

Inmate Mailing Address(es)

Inmate Name, Inmate Number
SCI Cambridge Springs
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at SCI Cambridge Springs can’t receive incoming phone calls, but they do have access to phones during certain hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Pennsylvania, please click here.

How to Send Money

The Department of Corrections (DOC) uses JPay for the processing of ALL MONEY ORDERS sent to inmates in all Pennsylvania correctional institutions AND all online and over-the-phone credit card transactions.

Family and friends must deposit money into an inmate's account through JPay, either online or through lobby kiosks at each individual state prison. This service allows the funds to be posted to inmate accounts electronically and results in quicker access to the deposited funds. If an inmate is sent $50 by a family member, the inmate receives the full $50. The person who sent the funds may have to pay a fee through JPay, but the inmate does not.

DO NOT send money to any other individual, website or Email account. Money orders are NOT accepted at any state correctional institutions.

For JPay information, call 800.574.5729

JPay Frequently Asked Questions Information Sheet (pdf)

Money Orders

A Deposit Slip MUST be filled out and submitted with EVERY money order. Slips are available at the money order section of the JPay website, visiting rooms and the DOC's website.

DEPOSIT SLIP (pdf)

DEPOSIT SLIP (pdf) (Spanish)

ALL money order deposit slips MUST have the following information CLEARLY TYPED in order for the funds to be posted to the inmate account: Handwritten forms are subject to delay.

• Correct inmate ID #
• Inmate name
• Sender’s name and address

Programs For Inmates

Academic and Vocational Education:

Academic Education through GED level
Vocational Education: Optical, Braille, Custodial Maintenance, Cosmetology
All vocational classes offer industry-recognized certifications specific to the trade skills taught in the program.

Inmate Programs:

Standardized Programs: Moving on for Women, Sex Offender Program Evaluation, Sex Offender Program Moderate-High Intensity, Sex Offender Program Booster, Alcohol and Other Drug Outpatient, Co-Occurring Outpatient, AOD Therapeutic Community, AOD (State Intermediate Punishment) Therapeutic Community, Living Safely for Women.

Other Staff Facilitated Programs: Seeking Safety, Act 143 Victim Awareness Education, Impact of Crime, Positive Relationships, Abuse Group, Individual Counseling, Basic Parenting Skills, Pennsylvania Family Support Group, Read to Your Child.

Volunteer Facilitated Programs: Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Religious Volunteer Study Groups, Domestic Violence.

Reentry Services Programs: Inmates are encouraged to participate in Reentry Services prior to release from the facility. The Reentry Program is located on Housing Unit D-1, which serves as a Transitional Housing Unit. Workshop topics include Stay on Track, Parenting, Healthy Living, Relationships, Mental Health, Living under Parole Supervision, Employment & Vocational Opportunities, Resume Writing, Money Smarts and Victim Awareness.

Correctional Industries:  The Correctional Industry designated for SCI Cambridge Springs is an Optical Lab that makes glasses for all of the DOC facilities. The Lab also services DEP Southeastern Region, DPW Norristown State Hospital, and other local nonprofit agencies.  The inmate must successfully complete a four-month vocational class before being permitted or eligible to work in the Optical Lab.  After completing the four-month vocational training, inmates have an opportunity to take the American Board of Opticianry test to become a certified Optician. This certification allows them to practice Opticianry in the United States. Fifty-four inmates currently hold this certification at SCI Cambridge Springs.

Community Work Program: The Community Work Program had a total of nearly 3,000 hours of community work over the last year.  Their projects include the following:

  • Interior Painting
  • Highway Clean Up
  • County Fair Grounds Clean Up
  • Local Park Clean Up & Landscaping
  • Custodial Work for Churches
  • Monthly Custodial Work at the National Guard Stryker Base in Cambridge Springs

Pictures of SCI Cambridge Springs

Careers at SCI Cambridge Springs

If you are interested in a career with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, you can find out more information about available jobs at SCI Cambridge Springs by clicking here.

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