SCI Somerset
The State Correctional Institution at Somerset is a medium-security prison for male inmates that is located in Somerset, Pennsylvania. It houses approximately 2,400 inmates, and is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
The State Correctional Institution at Somerset was built by a cooperative effort between the state and county government to build the prison on a fast-track basis to accommodate quick expansion of the system. This prison is one of five prototypical state prisons dedicated in 1993. SCI Somerset was accredited by the American Correctional Association in 2016.
Prison Insights
SCI Somerset
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting Days/Times at SCI Somerset:
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 Machine: Vending card. The system charges $5 to get a card. Visitors may add more money to the card to spend in the visiting room on food and drinks.
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.
Visitors with infants
Please feed your baby/babies before visiting. If you have a baby as a part of your visiting group, you may take these items into the visiting room:
- Up to 3 UNOPENED, commercially prepared and vacuum-sealed containers of baby food per infant. All containers will be opened by the inspecting officers.
- Up to 3 clear plastic bottles of pre-mixed formula/white milk per infant.
- Up to 3 diapers per infant. Diapers must be loose so they can be inspected.
- Up to 3 pull-ups or training pants per infant.
- A reasonable number of wipes.
Video Visitation
Virtual visitation is available at SCI Somerset. This 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.
Video Visitation hours: Seven days a week, 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.
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 Somerset
1590 Walters Mill Road
Somerset, PA 15510-0001
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/15gypzqqbqd9Ubfg6
General Phone Number
(814) 443-8100
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Smart Communications/PADOC
SCI Somerset
Inmate Name, Inmate Number
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733
How to Call an Inmate
Inmates at SCI Somerset 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 Education: Adult Basic Education, Commonwealth Secondary Diploma, English Second Language, and General Education Diploma
Vocational Education: Business Education, Carpentry, Custodial Maintenance, Barber License, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing and Vinyl Siding
All vocational classes offer industry-recognized certifications specific to the trade skills taught in the program.
Inmate Programs:
- Canine Partners for Life Dog Training Program
- Family/Relationship Self
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Reading to your Children
- Sex Offenders
- Sex Offender Moderate-High Intensity Programming
- Offender Low-Intensity Programming
- Sex Offender Programming for low functioning inmates
- SOP Booster
- Reentry
- Pre-Vocational Skills Class
- MoneySmart Program
- Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD)
- Therapeutic Community
- Outpatient Therapy Group
- Dual Diagnosis
- AA/NA/SOS Support Meetings
- Offense Related
- Thinking for a Change
- Act 143 Victim Awareness
- Violence Prevention Moderate and High levels
- Batterer’s Intervention
- Mental Health Programs
- MH Education
- MH Management
- MH Peer Group
- MH Community Reentry Group
- Dual Diagnosis Group
- MH Support Group for Recent Psychiatric Commitment Returns
- MH Coping Skills/Life Skills
- MH Survivors Support Group
- SAA Group
Correctional Industries:
SCI Somerset has a Correctional Industries laundry. The laundry processes 10.5 million plus pounds per year. Their 18 customers include the Department of Corrections, Department of Public Welfare, veterans homes and universities. There is an average of 72 inmates per shift and the laundry is run for two shifts.
Community Work Program:
Inmates in The Community Work Program (CWP) perform thousands of hours of community service every year, saving the community thousands of dollars.
CWP projects:
- Painted churches – interior and exterior.
- Performed cleaning, painting and landscaping work for public and private schools.
- Performed cleaning and grounds keeping work at Flight 93 Memorial.
- Performed building and equipment cleaning for Local Fire and Police Departments.
- Assist the local food pantry monthly in unloading supplies.
- Provided 2582 hours of service to Laurel Hill State Park, Kooser State Park and Department of Forestry painting, cleaning, landscaping and cutting firewood.
- Provided 3651 hours of highway litter pick up.
- Provided 2,389 hours of various labor services to local municipalities.
- Provided 7,457 hours of services to local non-profit organizations.
Pictures of SCI Somerset
Careers at SCI Somerset
If you are interested in a career with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, you can find out more information about available jobs at SCI Somerset by clicking here.
