Philadelphia Department of Prisons
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Philadelphia Department of Prisons. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- County Facility
- Security Level
- Pretrial / Sentenced
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- Not available
- Operated By
- City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Department of Prisons
Philadelphia Department of Prisons Inmate Communication Overview
Philadelphia Department of Prisons, sometimes called PDP, is the city agency that runs Philadelphia's county jail system. Rather than a single building, PDP operates a group of facilities clustered in Northeast Philadelphia along State Road, including intake, detention, and industrial correctional buildings. Anyone arrested in Philadelphia and not released before trial is typically booked into this system, and where a person ends up depends on their classification, gender, and case status.
Communication across the PDP system runs through two providers. GettingOut handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money deposits, with a free account available at gettingout.com or through the GettingOut app. Securus handles phone calls and video visitation through a separate account at securustech.net. Because someone can be moved between PDP facilities during their case, it's worth confirming the current building on your account before sending a message or funds.
Because PDP is a system of several sites rather than one address, families should use the Department's own inmate locator to confirm exactly where a person is held before mailing letters or scheduling a visit. Philadelphia is served by public transit reaching the State Road area, which helps families without a car. People convicted of longer sentences may eventually transfer out of the city system to a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections state prison, where a different communication setup applies.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Main Phone
(215) 685-7711
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: GettingOut
Electronic messaging through GettingOut. Confirm the correct facility on your account, since PDP has multiple sites.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Video visitation through Securus. Availability can vary by facility within the PDP system.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: GettingOut
Digital photo sharing through GettingOut. Physical photo mail is also accepted under PDP mail rules.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Fund a Securus account to accept calls from a PDP facility.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: GettingOut
Commissary and account deposits through GettingOut, online or by phone.
Communication Providers at Philadelphia Department of Prisons
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
GettingOut
Handles messaging, photo sharing, and money deposits across the Philadelphia jail system.
View GettingOut ServicesSecurus
Handles phone calls and video visitation across the Philadelphia jail system.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Philadelphia Department of Prisons
- PDP operates several facilities on and near State Road. Confirm the exact building where someone is held before mailing letters.
- GettingOut covers messaging, photos, and money. Securus covers phone calls and video visits.
- All communication is subject to review by PDP staff.
- Only approved contacts can message, call, or schedule visits with someone in custody.
- People sentenced to longer terms may transfer to a Pennsylvania DOC state prison, which uses different providers.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center
Frequently Asked Questions — Philadelphia Department of Prisons
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I contact someone in the Philadelphia jail system?
- Set up a GettingOut account for messaging, photos, and money, and a Securus account for phone calls and video visits. Confirm which specific PDP facility the person is in first, since the system has more than one site.
- How do I find out which Philadelphia facility someone is being held in?
- The Philadelphia Department of Prisons offers an online tool to locate an incarcerated person on the city's website, phila.gov. Search by name to confirm the current facility before mailing anything or scheduling a visit.
- Can I do a video visit with someone in Philadelphia's jail system?
- Yes, video visitation is available through Securus. Create an account, select the correct facility, and choose an open time slot. Confirm hours in advance since they can vary by site.
- What happens after someone is sentenced in Philadelphia?
- Shorter sentences may be served within the PDP system. Longer sentences typically result in a transfer to a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections state prison, which uses a different communication provider setup than PDP.
- How do I send money to someone in a Philadelphia facility?
- Money deposits go through GettingOut online or by phone. Make sure you have the correct facility selected on the account, since PDP includes multiple buildings.
Stay Connected with Philadelphia Department of Prisons
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