Record Inmate Visits
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) has achieved a significant milestone, reporting a record number of inmate visits in 2025. With a total of 1,042,549 video and in-person visits, this marks a 5.7% increase from the previous year and a substantial growth of over four times since 2019, when video visitation was first widely implemented.
According to Secretary of Corrections Dr. Laurel R. Harry, maintaining strong family and community connections is crucial for the successful rehabilitation and reentry of incarcerated individuals into society. These relationships play a vital role in reducing recidivism and promoting positive outcomes after release. The department’s visitation statistics from 2019 to 2025 demonstrate a steady increase in both video and in-person visits, with video visits being particularly popular due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness.
The PADOC offers video visitations at no cost, allowing loved ones to connect with inmates without the need to travel to a state prison. This service has been well-received, and the department is continually exploring ways to improve access and remove barriers to visitation. State-sentenced inmates are generally permitted up to four in-person visits and six video visits each month. For more information on scheduling a visit and visiting rules, individuals can visit the PADOC website at cor.pa.gov.
The record number of visits is a testament to the department’s efforts to facilitate connections between inmates and their loved ones. As Dr. Harry noted, this achievement requires a team of skilled professionals working behind the scenes to manage complex technology and uphold security standards. The PADOC’s commitment to improving visitation access and reducing recidivism is a positive step towards supporting the rehabilitation and reentry of incarcerated individuals into society.
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