Allegheny County PA Jail

County Jail

Last Updated: September 12, 2024
Address
950 Second Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
County
Allegheny
Phone
412-350-2000
Fax
412-350-2186

Allegheny Co Jail-5th Ave is for County Jail offenders sentenced up to twenty four months.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for County - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are seeking to send your inmate money for commissary, one recommended for this facility is AccessCorrections There is a fee for sending money, see their rates and limitations.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of Allegheny County PA Jail

You can support your loved ones at Allegheny Co Jail-5th Ave on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 412-350-2000.

When someone you care about gets arrested, it can be overwhelming. This webpage aims to ease your concerns by providing information about Allegheny County PA Jail. From visitation guidelines to contacting jail staff, we're here to support you as you navigate this challenging time. Take a look around and let us help you understand how to best support your family member or friend in custody.

The Allegheny Co Jail-5th Ave, located at 950 Second Ave in Pittsburgh, PA, is a secure detention center operated by the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office. This facility primarily houses individuals awaiting trial or sentencing, typically for less than two years. It accepts inmates from various jurisdictions, including surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service, and the Pittsburgh Police Department.

New detainees are regularly admitted to the jail, with some being released on bail or placed under pretrial services caseloads. Others await their court appearances at the facility, receiving necessary accommodations such as bedding and meals. View all arrest records here.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in Pennsylvania. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Allegheny County PA Jail.

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

Visitation Information

Personal and professional visitors to the jail must follow established guidelines. From scheduling your visit to finding out what to wear, you will find the information you need on Visitor Information. You may also set up a video visit with an inmate.

Social Visitation

To ensure that the proper safety and security measures are established and implemented, the Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections has established the following policy to be implemented related to social visitation at the facility:

Potential visitors must first register as an approved visitor either in person at the jail or by contacting 412-350-2413, 412-350-2035, or 412-350-2036. Potential visitors can then schedule visits online or by calling 855-208-7349. All visits must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. To be placed on visiting lists for multiple inmates, contact Chief Deputy Warden Jason Beasom at 412-350-2027.

A maximum of three incarcerated individuals will be permitted to visit at a time and every other visitation booth will be used to allow for proper physical distancing. Incarcerated individuals and visitors will be required to clean the visitation booth and phone before and after their visit.

  • Incarcerated individuals housed on 8E and 1C will be approved for visitation on a case-by-case basis following previously outlined guidelines.
  • Incarcerated individuals from the following pods will need to visit Level 1 and will need to be pre-approved: 5B, 5D, 5MC, and 5MD. Any visits on Level 1 will be a maximum of two individuals using alternate visitation booths.
  • Pods 1C and 4A have incarcerated individuals isolated for COVID-19 protocol. Individuals cleared for work detail and assigned to those pods, and individuals who have completed isolation status on those pods may receive visitors. Visitors must call the morning of the assigned visitation day to schedule a visit rather than scheduling online.

All incoming adult visitors, including professional visitors, will be required to show identification to the visitation officers in the visitation lobby before the visit is approved.

Visitors must be checked in no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled visit time.

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent or legal guardian for a visit. The person accompanying a child must present evidence that they are the legal guardian, such as a birth certificate. Masks are optional for all visitors inside the facility.

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.