QUICK FACTS BAR
State DOC: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC)
Parole Board: Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP)
Medicaid expansion: YES (full expansion - 2015)
Voting rights: Restored upon release from prison - people on parole CAN vote in Pennsylvania
SNAP drug felony ban: Full opt-out - no ban regardless of conviction
Expungement / Sealing: Available - Pennsylvania Clean Slate Act (automatic sealing after 10 years for eligible offenses); petition-based expungement for non-convictions and limited conviction categories
Ban the box: Public AND private employers (Philadelphia has one of the strongest local laws in the country; statewide law covers public employers)
INTRO
Pennsylvania restored voting rights to people on parole in 1995 - one of the earlier states to do so - meaning the day you walk out of a Pennsylvania state prison, your right to vote is restored. The Pennsylvania Clean Slate Act, one of the most significant record sealing laws passed in the country when it was enacted in 2018 and expanded in subsequent years, begins automatically sealing many eligible records after 10 years without requiring individuals to file a petition. Full Medicaid expansion has been in place since 2015 with a well-developed pre-release enrollment program through PADOC. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards (FCRSS) ordinance is one of the strongest ban-the-box laws in the country. The challenges in Pennsylvania are geographic: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have robust reentry service infrastructure; rural counties - and Pennsylvania has many large rural counties - have very limited services, and the distance between PADOC institutions and the urban centers where most people release creates a gap in continuity of care that is a consistent challenge.
FIRST 30 DAYS CHECKLIST
Day 1-3:
Report to your Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP) agent or county probation officer as directed. Pennsylvania has both state parole (PBPP) for people serving state sentences and county probation for those sentenced locally. Know which agency supervises you.
Day 1-3:
Register to vote if eligible. Pennsylvania restores voting rights upon release from state prison - people on parole can vote. Register at vote.pa.gov. Pennsylvania does not have same-day registration - you must register at least 15 days before an election.
Day 1-7:
Confirm Medicaid enrollment. PADOC has an established pre-release Medicaid enrollment program through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). Confirm with your PADOC case manager whether you have been enrolled before release. If not pre-enrolled, apply immediately at compass.state.pa.us or call 1-800-692-7462.
Day 1-14:
Apply for SNAP benefits. Pennsylvania has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban - everyone meeting income and residency requirements qualifies. Apply at compass.state.pa.us or your county assistance office.
Day 1-30:
Obtain Pennsylvania state ID or driver's license. Pennsylvania DMV (PennDOT): dmv.pa.gov. PADOC issues a Pennsylvania ID card to qualifying individuals at release through a partnership with PennDOT. Ask your case manager before release.
Day 30+:
Review Clean Slate eligibility. If your conviction is more than 10 years old and you have been conviction-free, automatic sealing may already have occurred or be imminent. Review the expungement section below.
ID RESTORATION
Birth certificate:
Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records - health.pa.gov/vital-records. Cost: $20 per copy. PADOC assists with pre-release birth certificate requests - confirm with case manager before release.
Social Security card:
SSA.gov/ssnumber. Free. Locate nearest office at ssa.gov/locator.
State ID / Driver's License:
Pennsylvania PennDOT - dmv.pa.gov. PADOC partners with PennDOT to issue Pennsylvania ID cards to qualifying individuals at release. Bring proof of identity (PADOC-issued ID or birth certificate), Social Security number, and Pennsylvania residency. Cost: $31.50 for ID card.
Outstanding license issues: Pennsylvania suspends driver's licenses for DUI convictions, unpaid fines, drug convictions, and other reasons. Check your license status at dmv.pa.gov before visiting a DMV center. PennDOT's Financial Responsibility Division handles reinstatement for financially-related suspensions.
ID Assistance Programs:
Philadelphia Legal Assistance (philalegal.org) in Philadelphia. MidPenn Legal Services (midpenn.org) for central Pennsylvania. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (clsphila.org). Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (palawhelp.org) connects to legal aid across the state.
VOTING RIGHTS
Pennsylvania restores voting rights upon release from state prison. People on state parole can vote. People on probation can vote. Pennsylvania restored this right to parolees in 1995.
People currently serving a sentence in a Pennsylvania state prison or county jail cannot vote.
Register at vote.pa.gov. Note: Pennsylvania does not have same-day registration - you must register at least 15 days before an election. County election offices handle registration.
Pennsylvania also allows mail-in (absentee) voting without an excuse - people on parole or probation who are eligible can vote by mail by requesting a mail ballot at vote.pa.gov.
BENEFITS ACCESS
MEDICAID:
Pennsylvania fully expanded Medicaid in January 2015. Most low-income adults at or below 138% of the federal poverty level qualify immediately. PADOC has a pre-release Medicaid enrollment partnership with DHS - confirm with your case manager whether you have been enrolled. If not, apply at compass.state.pa.us or call 1-800-692-7462. Pennsylvania Medicaid is administered through managed care organizations including UPMC Health Plan, Highmark Wholecare, Geisinger Health Plan, and others depending on region.
SNAP:
Pennsylvania has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban on SNAP. Everyone meeting income and Pennsylvania residency requirements qualifies. Apply at compass.state.pa.us or your county assistance office.
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Cash Assistance):
Pennsylvania has fully opted out of the TANF drug felony ban. Eligible families are not excluded based on drug felony history. Apply at compass.state.pa.us.
Housing:
Pennsylvania does not have a single statewide transitional housing program. Federal RRCs serve federal inmates under RRM Philadelphia and RRM Pittsburgh. State-contracted Community Corrections Centers (CCCs) and Community Corrections Facilities (CCFs) are operated under PADOC contracts through the Bureau of Community Corrections - these are the primary state-supervised reentry housing options. Philadelphia has the most developed nonprofit reentry housing network in the state. Pittsburgh is second. Rural Pennsylvania county reentry housing options are very limited.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA): phfa.org - administers housing assistance programs. Formerly incarcerated individuals are not categorically excluded.
EXPUNGEMENT AND RECORD RELIEF
Pennsylvania Clean Slate Act:
Enacted in 2018 and among the first automatic sealing laws in the country. Key provisions:
- Misdemeanor convictions of the second and third degree: automatically sealed after 10 years without petition, if the person has been conviction-free for that period
- Summary offenses: automatically sealed after 5 years conviction-free
- The sealing is done by the court system automatically - no petition or fee required
What automatic sealing does: Removes the record from public-facing Pennsylvania court dockets. Employers, landlords, and most agencies conducting background checks cannot see sealed records. Law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing boards retain access.
What is NOT eligible for automatic sealing: First-degree misdemeanors, all felony convictions, sex offenses, domestic violence offenses, and offenses requiring registration. These categories require petition or are not eligible for sealing.
Petition-based expungement:
Available for: arrests without conviction (mandatory in most cases), acquittals, charges that were nolle prossed, summary convictions after 5 years of conviction-free behavior (by petition), and people 70 or older who have been crime-free for 10 years. Pennsylvania does not have a general mechanism to expunge or seal most felony convictions through petition.
Section 9122.1 - Limited Access / Sealing:
Separate from Clean Slate, Pennsylvania allows petitioning for limited access for some misdemeanor convictions not covered by automatic Clean Slate sealing. This process requires a court hearing and is more complex than the automatic process.
Legal resources:
- Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network: palawhelp.org - connects to 14 regional legal aid organizations
- Community Legal Services of Philadelphia: clsphila.org / (215) 981-3700
- Philadelphia Legal Assistance: philalegal.org / (215) 981-3800
- MidPenn Legal Services: midpenn.org / (800) 326-9177 - central Pennsylvania
- PA Clean Slate self-help: Clean Slate eligibility screener at palawhelp.org
EMPLOYMENT AND LICENSING
Ban the box - statewide and local:
Pennsylvania has a statewide ban-the-box law for public (government) employment - the Fair Employment Act prohibits state and local government employers from asking about criminal history on initial applications. Private employers in Pennsylvania do not have a statewide restriction.
Philadelphia Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards (FCRSS):
Philadelphia's local ordinance is one of the strongest in the country. It covers private employers with 10 or more employees in Philadelphia. Employers cannot ask about criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment. If an employer wants to rescind an offer based on criminal history, they must conduct an individualized assessment using specific criteria and allow the applicant time to respond. The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) enforces this ordinance.
Pittsburgh does not currently have a ban-the-box ordinance for private employers.
Occupational licensing:
Pennsylvania Act 53 (2020) significantly reformed occupational licensing for people with criminal records. Licensing boards must conduct individualized assessments - they cannot automatically deny a license based on a criminal conviction. The board must determine whether there is a direct relationship between the conviction and the license sought, and must consider rehabilitation evidence and time elapsed. People can request a preliminary determination before applying. This applies to most Pennsylvania licensing boards.
Employment assistance:
- Pennsylvania CareerLink: pacareerlink.pa.gov - statewide workforce development with local CareerLink centers in every region providing reentry-specific employment services
- Reentry Employment Opportunities Program (REOP): PADOC operates pre-release employment programming
- Philadelphia FIGHT: fight.org - employment and health services for returning citizens in Philadelphia
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): ceoworks.org - operates in Philadelphia providing immediate paid transitional employment on release
KEY PENNSYLVANIA REENTRY ORGANIZATIONS
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
ceoworks.org / (215) 627-4409 / Philadelphia
Provides immediate paid transitional employment to returning citizens upon release - one of the most evidence-based employment reentry models in the country. Operates in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Reentry Coalition
philareentry.com / Philadelphia
Coordination network for reentry services in Philadelphia. Maintains a provider directory and connects returning citizens to services across the city.
Renewal, Inc.
renewalinc.org / (215) 222-4790 / Philadelphia
Transitional housing, substance abuse treatment, and employment services for returning citizens in Philadelphia. State-contracted facility.
Volunteers of America Pennsylvania
voapa.org / (412) 281-0872 / Pittsburgh
Transitional housing, employment, and reentry services in western Pennsylvania. Federal RRC operator and community programming.
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
clsphila.org / (215) 981-3700 / Philadelphia
Comprehensive legal services including expungement, Clean Slate assistance, housing advocacy, and reentry legal needs.
MidPenn Legal Services
midpenn.org / (800) 326-9177 / Harrisburg (central PA)
Free legal services including Clean Slate and expungement assistance for central Pennsylvania residents.
Pennsylvania Prison Society
prisonsociety.org / (215) 564-6005 / Philadelphia (statewide reach)
Advocacy, visitation support, and reentry assistance. Long history in Pennsylvania criminal justice. Operates a statewide visitor program and reentry navigation assistance.
Gaudenzia
gaudenzia.org / (610) 279-9270 / Multiple Pennsylvania locations
Substance abuse treatment, mental health, and reentry housing across Pennsylvania. State-contracted provider with facilities in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and multiple mid-state locations.
STATE DOC REENTRY PROGRAMS
PADOC Bureau of Community Corrections:
Operates and oversees Pennsylvania's network of Community Corrections Centers (CCCs) and Community Corrections Facilities (CCFs) - state-contracted facilities providing transitional housing and programming for people transitioning from state prison to full community release. Placements are managed by the PBPP.
Medicaid Pre-Enrollment:
PADOC's partnership with DHS enrolls eligible individuals in Medicaid before release. This is one of the better-developed pre-release Medicaid programs in the country. Confirm enrollment with case manager 60 days before release.
REOP (Reentry Employment Opportunities Program):
PADOC's pre-release employment program preparing incarcerated individuals for the job market. Job readiness training, resume assistance, and employer connections.
Education and Vocational Programs:
PADOC provides GED preparation, vocational training (welding, construction, food service, and others), and college programming through partnerships with Pennsylvania community colleges.
HALFWAY HOUSES LINK BLOCK
Find halfway houses and reentry housing in Pennsylvania ->
inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/pennsylvania/
Pennsylvania has federal Residential Reentry Centers under two BOP Residential Reentry Management offices:
- RRM Philadelphia: covers eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and other eastern states
- RRM Pittsburgh: covers western Pennsylvania and West Virginia
State-contracted Community Corrections Centers and Facilities are operated under PADOC's Bureau of Community Corrections. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have the highest concentration of options. The Bureau of Community Corrections maintains a list of contracted facilities at corrections.pa.gov.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I vote in Pennsylvania if I'm on parole?
A: Yes. Pennsylvania restores voting rights upon release from state prison - people on parole can vote. Register at vote.pa.gov at least 15 days before any election. Pennsylvania does not have same-day registration. You can also apply for a mail-in ballot at vote.pa.gov.
Q: Does Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act automatically seal my record?
A: For eligible records, yes. Second and third-degree misdemeanor convictions are automatically sealed after 10 years of being conviction-free, with no petition or fee required. Summary offenses are automatically sealed after 5 years. The sealing is done by the court system. Felony convictions, first-degree misdemeanors, sex offenses, and domestic violence offenses are NOT eligible for automatic sealing. Check your eligibility at palawhelp.org or contact Community Legal Services in Philadelphia or MidPenn Legal Services in central PA.
Q: How do I apply for Medicaid in Pennsylvania after prison?
A: Apply at compass.state.pa.us or call 1-800-692-7462. Pennsylvania fully expanded Medicaid in 2015 and most low-income returning citizens qualify immediately. Ask your PADOC case manager whether you have been pre-enrolled before your release date.
Q: Does Philadelphia's ban-the-box law protect me when applying to private employers?
A: Yes - if the employer has 10 or more employees and operates in Philadelphia. The Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards ordinance prohibits Philadelphia employers from asking about criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment. Outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has ban-the-box only for government (public) employers. Private employers outside Philadelphia can ask about criminal history at any stage.
Q: How do I get a Pennsylvania state ID after prison?
A: PADOC partners with PennDOT to issue Pennsylvania ID cards to qualifying individuals at release - ask your case manager before your release date. If not obtained at release, visit any PennDOT DMV service center with proof of identity, Social Security number, and Pennsylvania residency. Cost: $31.50. Check for outstanding license suspensions at dmv.pa.gov first. TruthFinder WIDGET Search Pennsylvania inmate and arrest records INTERNAL LINKS - inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/pennsylvania/ - inmateaid.com/reentry/ - inmateaid.com/reentry/myths-and-facts/ EXTERNAL LINKS (new tab) - cor.pa.gov - compass.state.pa.us - vote.pa.gov - dmv.pa.gov - palawhelp.org - pacareerlink.pa.gov - findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov SCHEMA BreadcrumbList + FAQPage DATA SOURCES Voting rights: 25 Pa. C.S. § 1301 et seq.; PA voting rights restoration 1995 / vote.pa.gov Medicaid: kff.org expansion tracker / PA DHS pre-enrollment program SNAP: ccresourcecenter.org full opt-out confirmed Expungement/Sealing: Pennsylvania Clean Slate Act (Act 56 of 2018); 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122 / palawhelp.org Ban the box: PA Executive Order (public employers); Philadelphia FCRSS ordinance / PCHR Licensing: Pennsylvania Act 53 (2020) / BPOA Organizations: verified from individual organization websites PADOC programs: cor.pa.gov/reentry BOP RRM: RRM Philadelphia and RRM Pittsburgh
Discovery Offer - Silos 1-2
Search arrest records and find out where they are
If you're trying to locate someone who was arrested or find out where they are being held, TruthFinder searches arrest records, court records, and custody status across all 50 states.