SCI Mahanoy
The State Correctional Institution at Mahanoy opened in July 1993 as a medium-security level male institution. The 222-acre tract of land upon which SCI Mahanoy sits was purchased in 1991 from two separate owners, J.M.B. Limited and Eileen M. DiCasimirro, for the expressed purpose of building a 1,000-bed medium security institution of prototypical design.
The property was purchased by the Schuylkill County Redevelopment Authority for the price of $896,273. Over the period from August 1991 through April 1993, the institution was constructed at a cost of $83,500,000. Through a unique lease/purchase agreement, the institution was owned and leased by Schuylkill County to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the exclusive use of the Department of Corrections. SCI Mahanoy opened in July 1993 as a medium-security level male institution. This prison is one of five prototypical state prisons dedicated in 1993.
SCI Mahanoy was accredited by the American Correctional Association in 1996 and has successfully achieved reaccreditation every three years since that time. The facility sits on 67 acres and features 11 housing units.
Prison Insights
SCI Mahanoy
Thank you for visiting us to better understand how inmates are treated while incarcerated at this institution. Please be sure to share this website with others so that we can spread the word and help to maintain rights for current and former inmates.
Please note that by checking the box below, you understand we will be contacting you via email to better understand how we can help you and where our data will be used.
After confirming by checking the box below and inputting your email address, please press "submit" and then click on "View Insights" for the area you'd like to reveal.
What Do Inmate Families Think?
What Do Former Inmates Think?
What Do Employees Think?
Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting Days/Times at SCI Mahanoy:
Monday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Tuesday | Wednesday: CLOSED
MAX Number of Visitors per Inmate: five (includes children)
Vending Machines in the visiting room use Vending Cards only. Visitors must use a $20 bill for the initial purchase of the food vending card. Maximum card limit is $80. Photo tickets and food vending cards MUST be purchased in the administration lobby BEFORE the visit. Unused photo tickets and any balance remaining on the food vending card may be used during future visits to this prison.
Visiting Rules
- Vehicles must be locked while on prison property. Windows must be rolled up/closed.
- 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.
- Any kind of device that has the capability of audio and/or video/photography recording and/or cell phone capabilities is NOT permitted.
- No purses, bags, diaper bags, etc.
- 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
Virtual visitation is available at SCI Mahanoy. This is a free service being offered to inmates and authorized visitors, and all inmates are eligible to participate – except those in administrative and disciplinary custody
The program uses video conferencing technology to enhance parenting skills; allows an inmate to visit with immediate family members, caregivers of the inmate's children, and other individuals on the inmate's approved visiting list; increases the frequency of visits for an inmate and permits the scheduling of visits at times that are best for the visitors.
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 Mahanoy
301 Morea Road
Frackville, PA 17932
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/rZHnoyHGzd8NFUxk7
General Phone Number
(570) 773-2158
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Smart Communications/PADOC
SCI Mahanoy
Inmate Name, Inmate Number
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733
How to Call an Inmate
Inmates at SCI Mahanoy 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 to send money to inmates in all Pennsylvania correctional institutions. 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)
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 Programs Include: Adult Basic Education, General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Preparation, Adult Literacy, English as a Second Language, Life Skills, Applied Mathematics, Reading to your Children, and Act 143.
Vocational Education Programs are available: Auto Technology, Business Education, Warehouse Operation with OSHA Certification and a Flagger's Course. Each of the above vocational programs offer certifications that are industry recognized and can assist inmates with employment upon societal reentry. In addition, SCI Mahanoy offers a 12-Chair Barber School.
The Library provides collections of materials which meet the recreational, educational, and legal reference needs of the inmates. Inmates also have access to Inter-Library Loans.
Inmate Programs:
- Family/Relationship Self
- Inside Out Dads
Sex Offenders
- Sex Offender Moderate-High Intensity
- Offender Low Intensity
- Special Needs Sex Offender Booster Program
Reentry
- Pre-Vocational Skills Class
- Back on Track Inside
- MoneySmart Program
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD)
- Therapeutic Community
- Parole Violator
- Outpatient Therapy Group
- Dual Diagnosis
- AA/NA/SOS Support Meetings
Offense Related
- Thinking for a Change
- Act 143 Victim Awareness
- Violence Prevention
- Batterer's Intervention
Mental Health Programs
- MH Education
- MH Management
Correctional Industries:
Correctional Industries at SCI Mahanoy is a regional commissary distribution center serving nine institutions in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. They supply a variety of items for the inmate population to purchase. They include food, health and beauty, clothing, footwear, and electronic items. SCI Mahanoy's CI currently employs 90 inmates on one shift.
Pictures of SCI Mahanoy
Careers at SCI Mahanoy
If you are interested in a career with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, you can find out more information about available jobs at SCI Mahanoy by clicking here.
