SCI Laurel Highlands
The State Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands is located in Somerset County, in Somerset Township, along Route 31, approximately one mile from the Borough of Somerset in Pennsylvania.
The facility opened July 1, 1996, as a security level 2 facility for adult male inmates. The facility occupies the former Somerset State Hospital property which was owned by the Department of Public Welfare, and which officially closed June 1996.
The property was transferred from the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of Corrections on July 1, 1996. SCI Laurel Highlands serves as the Commonwealth's provider to inmates with special needs; namely, long-term care, personal care, wheelchair, dialysis and geriatric inmates, as well as general population inmates.
SCI Laurel Highlands was accredited by the American Correctional Association in 2003 and has successfully achieved reaccreditation every three years since that time.
The facility features nine housing units with both cells and dormitory-style housing. There are also special medical facilities and dialysis for male inmates.
The average inmate age at SCI Laurel Highlands is 42.
One notable inmate at SCI Laurel Highlands is John du Pont, who murdered Olympic gold-medalist Dave Schultz. His story was made into the movie Foxcatcher starring Steve Carrell.
Prison Insights
SCI Laurel Highlands
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting Days/Times:
Monday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday: CLOSED
NOTE: The prison holds an inmate count at 11 a.m. Visitors must clear the metal detector by 10:30 a.m. to be able to visit.
MAX Number of Visitors per Inmate: five (including children)
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.
Visitors must have a $5 bill or credit card to purchase the vending card for the visiting room vending machines. The vending card maximum limit is $75. Inmates CANNOT handle the vending card ~ only the visitor can.
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
Video visitation is a free service 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.
For complete details, read the Video Visitation Visitors Guide.
Physical Address
SCI Laurel Highlands
5706 Glades Pike
Somerset, PA 15501
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/1T8GfQ1gJjjSvT2j8
General Phone Number
(814) 445-6501
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Smart Communications/PADOC
SCI Laurel Highlands
Inmate Name, Inmate Number
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733
How to Call an Inmate
Inmates at SCI Laurel Highlands 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.
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 Education through GED level
Vocational Education: Business Education, Custodial Maintenance, Electronics Repair
All vocational classes offer industry-recognized certifications specific to the trade skills taught in the program.
Family/Relationship Self
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Reading to your Children
Sex Offenders
- Sex Offender Moderate-High Intensity
- Offender Low Intensity
- Special Needs Sex Offender Booster Program
Re-Entry
- Pre-Vocational Skills Class
- Inside/Out Dads
- MoneySmart Program
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD)
- Therapeutic Community
- Outpatient Therapy Group
- Dual Diagnosis
- AA/NA/SOS/SMART Support Meetings
Offense Related
- Thinking for a Change
- Act 143 Victim Awareness
- Violence Prevention
- Batterer’s Intervention
- Long Term Offenders
- Mental Health Programs
- Dual Diagnosis Group
Community Work Program:
CWP projects included painting, cleaning, landscaping, cutting trees and brush, street work, poured concrete and set tombstones, cleaning and detailing fire trucks, and relocation of an office.
Locations include:
- Somerset Historical Center
- Somerset County Fairgrounds
- New Centerville Fire Department
- Springs Festival
- Meyersdale Fire Department
- Rockwood Boro
- Somerset Boro
- Boys & Girls Club of Somerset
- Somerset Community Outreach Center
- Somerset County Parks and Recreation
- Salisbury Fire Department
- Stoystown Lions Club
- Benscreek Lutheran Church
- Somerset Christian Fellowship
- Berlin Cemetery Association
Pictures of SCI Laurel Highlands
Careers at SCI Laurel Highlands
If you are interested in a career with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, you can find out more information about available jobs at SCI Laurel Highlands by clicking here.