Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Inmate Search

An inmate search in Allegheny County is a query used to locate a person incarcerated in the county jail. Basically, an inmate search confirms whether a person has been arrested and where they are being held. The primary detention facility in Allegheny County is the Allegheny County Jail, which is operated by the county’s Bureau of Corrections. The Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board also oversees the county jail, ensuring proper management of the facility and its inmates. The board consists of

• The County Chief Executive
• Two members of the Court of Common Pleas, including the President Judge (or a judicial designee), and one additional judge selected by the President Judge
• The County Sheriff
• The County Controller
• The President of the County Council, or a chosen representative
• Three community representatives who are not employed by either Allegheny County or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These members are appointed by the Chief Executive for three-year terms and must receive the County Council’s approval.

How to Find an Inmate in Allegheny County Jail

Individuals can find an inmate in the Allegheny County jail by contacting the jail directly. Individuals may contact the jail in person by visiting the facility or by calling the jail’s Records Office at (412) 350-2635. Inquirers seeking information over the phone should note that certain details may not be disclosed.

Additionally, individuals may complete and submit the Standard Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Request Form to the Allegheny County Controller’s Office in person, by mail, or via email. The Controller’s Office was voted by the Jail Oversight Board as the Open Records Office on July 3, 2025, and has been responsible for maintaining all jail records in the county. A request for a record must include

• A sufficient description of the record so that the office can locate and identify the record.
• The record’s requested format and delivery method.
• Name and address of the requester.

The addresses of the Allegheny County jail and the Controller’s Office are as follows.

Allegheny County Jail

950 Second Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Allegheny County Controller’s Office

104 Courthouse

436 Grant Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

How to Use the Allegheny County Jail Roster

The Allegheny County jail roster is maintained by the jail facility. Neither the Allegheny County jail nor the Controller’s Office maintains an online portal or tool for the public to access the jail roster. Consequently, individuals interested in accessing the jail roster have to call the jail to make inquiries. However, to access a comprehensive roster, individuals may need to visit the jail.

While at the jail facility, inquirers may be asked to provide a name, booking number, incarceration date, or other information that may be used to identify the specific record needed. Individuals may also request the complete roster or specify a date range for which they would like to inspect records.

What Information is Included in the Allegheny County Inmate Roster

When searching for an inmate in Allegheny County, the available information typically includes several details about the individual’s detention in jail. Commonly found information includes

• The Inmate’s Personal Information: This includes their full name, age, gender, and physical description
• Booking Details: These comprise the inmate’s jail ID, booking date and time, housing unit, sentence length, and custody status.
• Case Information: This includes charges against the inmate, the arresting agency, the docket number, and bail details.

Although inmate records are generally public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, certain information is confidential. For example, details about an inmate’s medical history and mental health status are usually not released to the public. Records of juveniles are also confidential and are accessible only to authorized persons.

Contact Details for Allegheny County Jail or Sheriff’s Office

To reach out to staff in the Allegheny County jail, individuals may use the following contact information.

950 Second Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Phone: (412) 350-2000

Incarcerated Individual’s Full Name

DOC Number

Other useful phone numbers are listed in the table below.

Purpose	Phone Number
To report knowledge of a suicidal inmate	(412) 350-2066 (412) 350-2176
To provide medical information	(412) 350-2201
To place funds in an inmate’s trust account and to set up a prepaid phone call account	(800) 483-8314
To leave a message for the Warden	(412) 350-2266
To request inmate records	(412) 350-2635
To contact an inmate in an emergency	(412) 350-2057
To pick up personal property	(412) 350-2267
To register for social visits	(412) 350-2413 (412) 350-2035 (412) 350-2036

Jail Facility Overview in Allegheny County

The Allegheny County jail is a high-security regional detention center. Unlike a state prison, its population primarily consists of individuals awaiting trial or those serving shorter sentences (typically less than two years).

The original jail opened in 1884 on Ross Street between Fifth and Forbes Avenues, the site now home to the Juvenile and Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The current facility, located at 950 Second Avenue, was designed as an improvement over the old one and began operations in 1995. It has a capacity of over 3,000, though the average daily population is usually below 2,000. Monthly reports for the jail, containing population details, are provided by the Jail Oversight Board and can be found on the County Jail Reports page.

The Allegheny County jail system also consists of two alternative housing facilities used for individuals who do not require a cell-block environment. These are not jails in the traditional sense, but residents are still technically in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections.

Agency	Office and Mail Address	Phone Number	Office Hours	Email
Allegheny County Jail	950 Second Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219	(412) 350-2000	Discharge and Release Center: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays Cashier’s Office: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays. Law Enforcement Operations: 24 hours a day	Individuals may email the jail using the contact form on the jail’s Contact page.

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Allegheny County Jail

Friends and family can send money into an inmate’s trust account at the Allegheny County jail to help them with commissary purchases, phone calls, tablet usage, and other needs they might have. A deposit can be made in any of the following ways:

In-Person Deposits

Individuals may deposit money into an inmate’s account using kiosks located at the jail lobby during operational hours (7:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. daily). Funds may be deposited in cash or by debit or credit card. Depositors should note that the Jail Cashier’s Office cannot resolve any issues related to the kiosks.

Money Orders

Instead of depositing money in person, individuals may send a money order through the mail. Depositors should ensure they include the inmate’s DOC number on the money order. Money orders over $100 are placed on a 10-business-day hold.

Phone Deposits

The Allegheny County jail accepts deposits for inmate funds over the phone, but not directly. Phone deposits are made through an approved private vendor. For the first deposit, individuals will have to visit the vendor’s website to register an account and then deposit the money. Subsequent deposits can then be made by calling the customer service line.

Online Deposits

Loved ones may also deposit money into an inmate’s trust account online through a private provider’s website. Additionally, individuals may use the vendor’s mobile app to make deposits.

Note: As of November 1, 2024, only individuals who are on an inmate’s approved visitor list may make deposits into the inmate’s trust account. When inmates are released from incarceration, the funds in the account will be returned to them. $50 will be given to them in cash, and the rest will be given to them in a check.

Inmate Search by Jail Facility

The Allegheny County jail is the primary detention facility where inmates are housed. There are also two alternative housing facilities not directly run by the Bureau of Corrections where inmates may be kept. All records of inmates, whether in the county jail or an alternative housing, are maintained by the county jail and the Open Records Officer, which is the Controller’s Office.

Individuals may generally search for an inmate by inquiring in person at the jail, calling the jail’s Records Office, or sending a Right-to-Know request to the Controller’s Office.

Allegheny County Visitation Rules and Schedules

Visiting someone in the Allegheny County jail is possible but requires following certain steps and guidelines. Below are the visitation rules and requirements for visiting an inmate in the facility.

Who is Allowed to Visit

Almost everyone is allowed to visit, especially immediate family members, provided they are part of the inmate’s approved visitors list. To register as an approved visitor, individuals may visit the jail in person or call any of the following numbers: (412) 350-2413, (412) 350-2035, or (412) 350-2036. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or guardian before they are allowed access to visit an inmate.

Who is Not Allowed to Visit

• Alternative Housing inmates
• Individuals currently under parole or probation
• Current or former Allegheny County Jail employees
• Victims of the inmate
• Ex-inmates unless pre-approved by the warden or deputy warden

How to Schedule a Visit

Approved visitors can schedule a visit online via the Inmate Visitation Scheduling Website belonging to a private vendor. Also, visits can be arranged by calling the vendor on the phone. A visit must be scheduled at least 48 hours before the intended visit day. Individuals may call (412) 350-2035 or (412) 350-2036 to confirm that their visit has not been canceled due to circumstances such as lockdowns or inmate movement.

ID Requirements

Visitors are required to show their government-issued ID card when checking in at the facility. Not bringing a valid ID may lead to access being denied.

Dress Code and Behavior Expectations

Visitors are expected to be appropriately clothed and avoid wearing bright neon colors, such as lime, green, yellow, and orange. Visitors are also expected to behave respectfully during the visit, speak quietly, and refrain from using obscene language. Children must be under constant supervision, and there should be no physical contact with the inmate beyond a handshake.

Visitation Schedule

Visits are typically allowed to last up to an hour. The visiting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays. Visitation also depends on the Housing Unit Schedule. Visits to specific pods, such as 5B, 5MC, and 5MD, must be pre-approved and are limited to two individuals per inmate.

Visitor’s Responsibilities

Visitors are expected to

• Arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in
• Supervise their children, ensuring they adhere to the rules
• Not bring any contraband with them. A violation may lead to their visitor privileges being revoked and possible legal consequences
• Clean the booth and phone before and after the visit.

Individuals can also make video visits through a third-party vendor. Video visits are limited to 30 minutes and cost 25 cents per minute. Visitation hours for video visits are 9:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m., every day.

Mailing and Commissary Information

Individuals may send mail to an inmate at the Allegheny County jail. Mails sent to an inmate must be addressed as follows.

Allegheny County Jail

950 Second Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Mail missing a full name, DOC number, or return address will be returned. All mail sent to the facility is opened and checked before being delivered to the inmate. The jail has a list of items inmates may receive, including money orders for an inmate’s commissary, and a list of prohibited items. Individuals who attempt to send contraband into the jail may face legal consequences.