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Friends And Family Visitation

Friends And Family Visitation

The criteria and guidelines for friends and family visitation are outlined below. To ensure everyone’s safety, the guidelines below will be strictly enforced.  Violations of these guidelines may result in the termination of the visit and/or suspension of visitation privileges.

Each inmate is permitted three (3) thirty (30) minute in-person visits per calendar month. Inmates will be permitted three (3) visitors at each visit. In addition to in-person visits, each inmate is credited with two (2) free 15- minute video calls each week. 

Visits MUST be scheduled by no later than 3:00pm the day prior to the visit; same-day appointments are NOT permitted.  Appointments may be made up to three weeks in advance.  Absolutely no walk-in visitors will be permitted.

To schedule a visit, please call (610) 208-4800 select option 3 for "visitation" and speak with a receptionist between the hours of 8:30am-3:00pm Monday – Friday. If multiple individuals wish to visit at the same time, one of the individuals must schedule all parties. You will need to give the name of the inmate you wish to visit and provide the first and last name of all visitors. 

You may not leave a voicemail to schedule your visit, you must speak with a receptionist to confirm the day/time of your visit. If you do not receive verbal confirmation of your visit, it is not scheduled and will not be honored should you attempt to visit.
 
If you are unable to traverse stairs, please mention that you need an accommodation when you call to schedule your visit.  We have one room on the ground level to accommodate visitors with disabilities.

If you require a handicapped parking space, report that to the receptionist so she can ensure that a space is available at your scheduled time.

Inmates are permitted three (3) visitors at each visit.  All visitors must be scheduled and MUST be on the inmate’s approved visitation list- there are no exceptions to this rule. If you need to reschedule or modify the visit, please contact (610) 208-4800 and select option 3 for "visitation.

Visitors must arrive at the jail no more than 15 minutes prior to their scheduled visit time.

Visitors must arrive in a vehicle and that vehicle must remain on the property for the duration of the visit; there are no “drop-off” visits allowed.

Designated parking spaces for visitors are on the 2nd level of the parking lot and are numbered. All visitors MUST park in a numbered visitor space. Parking in any other area is prohibited unless you have a handicap designation for your vehicle.

Visitors must report to the lobby door and press the intercom button to check in with the lobby officer. You will be assigned a locker by the lobby officer to store your personal items (cell phone, car keys, etc.) while you are in the visiting area. 

Visitors may not loiter in the parking lot before, during or after their visit. You must remain in your vehicle, report to the lobby as directed and return to your vehicle immediately after your visit ends. CHILDREN CANNOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED ANYWHERE ON JAIL PROPERTY.

Inmates on quarantine or isolation status will not be permitted to have visitation. 

*As a visitor you give up certain rights while you are on Berks County Jail System property*

Visits are a privilege that may be revoked by jail staff, at any time, for cause. We will not tolerate abuse or foul language. If this occurs, a visitor will be asked to leave the premises. No exceptions will be made. Terminations and suspensions of visitation privileges will be reviewed by the Warden or designee. There is no appeal.

If you have been incarcerated in Berks County Jail System in the past two years, you will not be permitted to visit.

When visiting the jail, you are required to adhere to the following guidelines, established for the security of our institution as well as the safety and well-being of staff, inmates, and visitors.

  • No weapons of any kind

  • No unauthorized photography or video recording

  • No medication or drugs of any kind, no alcohol, no items that contain alcohol (i.e., cough syrup)

  • No cell phones

  • No loitering

  • No contact with inmate workers

  • No outside food or beverage (vending machines are available in the visitation corridor)

The Berks County Jail reserves the right to deny anyone visiting privileges because of inappropriate attire. This is determined at the discretion of the Lobby Officer.

The following garments are not permitted to be worn by visitors:

  • Winter coats, vests, jackets

  • Thick hooded sweatshirts or anything that has a full-length zipper (regular thickness sweatshirts, button sweatshirts,  fleece tops, and blazers are allowed)

  • Tank tops

  • Provocative garments

  • Low cut shirts/exposed cleavage

  • Tops that do not extend below the belt line

  • Spaghetti straps

  • Halter tops, tube tops, half-shirts, midriff shirts

  • Any skirts which do not reach the knees (Miniskirts, micro-mini skirts, etc.)

  • Shorts that do not reach at least halfway down the thigh

  • Items that are sheer or see through

  • Items that expose a bra, underwear or other non-allowable items

Proper photo identification is required for all visits. Below is a list of acceptable forms of photo identification:

  • Valid Driver’s License

  • Valid State Identification Card

  • Active Military ID

  • Valid US or Foreign passport with an address

Any violation of regulations may result in termination of a visit and suspension of future visitation privileges. Terminations and suspensions of visitation privileges will be reviewed by the Warden or designee.  There is no appeal.

To visit an inmate, you must first be on his/her visit list. Inmates choose who they want to have on their list and submit this list to Treatment Staff, who enter the visitors into the visit system.

Treatment Staff cannot add you to an inmate’s visit list at your request. The addition can only be made at the  request of the inmate. If you would like to visit someone and you are not on his/her visit list, please write to him/her and provide your full name, address, telephone number, and date of birth (this information is required to be an approved visitor).

Visitors over the age of 18 are required to have a valid picture identification card with a current address. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must be the child, stepchild, sibling, or grandchild of the inmate they are visiting.