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Parole and Probation in Pennsylvania
If someone you love is on parole or probation in Pennsylvania, or if you have just gotten out and are trying to understand what is expected of you, this guide is written for both of you. Pennsylvania has a Parole Board that makes all parole release and revocation decisions, and a Department of Corrections that handles the day-to-day field supervision of parolees. Those two agencies operate under a 2017 agreement that combined supervision functions under DOC while keeping the board as the decision-making authority. Probation in Pennsylvania is an entirely separate county-based system. And Pennsylvania has two public search tools - one for inmates in state prison, one for parolees - which is unusual and worth knowing about.
Parole vs. probation: different systems
Pennsylvania's parole and probation operate through separate systems with different controlling authorities.
Parole is the conditional early release from state prison granted by the Pennsylvania Parole Board. Pennsylvania uses indeterminate sentencing, meaning courts impose both a minimum and a maximum sentence. A person becomes eligible for parole after serving the minimum. The Board makes all release decisions and handles all revocations. DOC field staff supervise parolees in the community.
Probation is a court-imposed sentence served in the community instead of prison. County adult probation and parole departments supervise probationers. Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties operates its own adult probation office. County probation is not administered by the state Parole Board or DOC; it is a county function serving the courts.
How the Parole Board and DOC work together
A 2017 Memorandum of Understanding between the Pennsylvania Parole Board and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections combined the agencies' shared functions while keeping both agencies legally separate. Under that MOU, community supervision of parolees and all reentry services moved under a centralized DOC chain of command. The Parole Board retains full decision-making authority - it grants, conditions, and revokes parole. DOC's Bureau of Community Corrections runs the field supervision through parole offices located throughout Pennsylvania.
This means the person a parolee reports to is a DOC employee, not a Parole Board employee. But the decisions about release and revocation are made by the Parole Board, not DOC.
How to find someone in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has two separate public search tools for people under state jurisdiction.
The Inmate Locator covers people currently incarcerated in Pennsylvania state correctional institutions. You search by name, inmate number, gender, date of birth, or location. It shows housing location, race, date of birth, prison location, registration number, and release date.
The Parolee Locator covers people currently on parole under DOC supervision. You search by name or other identifiers. It shows county of residence, race, date of birth, and other details.
Both tools are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections website and are updated daily. Contact DOC at 800-677-0330 for general assistance, or by email at ra-crbiisocialmediac@pa.gov.
For county jail inmates, Pennsylvania has 67 counties with 73 county jails operated by county sheriffs. County jail inmates are not in the DOC state search. Contact the county jail or sheriff directly.
Pennsylvania also participates in VINE for automated custody status notifications.
How parole works in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Parole Board is a cabinet-level independent agency that makes all parole release and revocation decisions for state prisoners. Pennsylvania uses indeterminate sentencing, so every state prison sentence has a minimum and a maximum. A person becomes parole eligible after serving the minimum sentence.
The Board uses parole guidelines to structure its decisions. Separate guidelines matrices for violent and non-violent cases, adopted in 2023, are the primary framework. Parole decisions are made by panels of two, consisting of either two board members or one board member and one hearing examiner. For certain offenses designated by the Board, a majority vote of the full Board is required. The list of Board Designated Majority Vote Offenses was updated in May 2025.
Before release, an incarcerated person must submit a home plan describing where they will live. DOC reentry staff assist with home plan development and approval. The plan must be verified before release can occur.
Standard parole conditions include reporting to the district parole office within 48 hours of release, living only at the approved residence and not changing it without permission, maintaining regular contact with parole supervision staff, reporting within 72 hours of any change in employment or education or training status, and notifying staff within 72 hours of contact with law enforcement. Travel outside the parole district requires prior written permission.
The Board also oversees parole guidelines for recommitment when violations occur. When a person is recommitted as a technical parole violator, they receive credit for time spent on parole in good standing toward their original maximum sentence.
The Parole Board has a Victim Notification System; victims can register to receive information about an offender's parole proceedings.
2025 accountability reform
In January 2025, the Pennsylvania CLEAR Commission ratified recommendations requiring DOC to develop an Internal Affairs and Investigation policy for Parole Field Services to increase accountability for parole supervision. This reform creates formal oversight of parole field supervision activities that had not previously been subject to systematic internal investigation. It matters for families because it means parole supervision is now subject to more structured accountability mechanisms.
How probation works in Pennsylvania
Probation in Pennsylvania is county-based. Courts impose probation as an alternative to incarceration, and each county's adult probation and parole department supervises probationers under the court's direction.
Act 115 of 2019 reformed Pennsylvania's probation system, particularly around sentences of probation with restrictive conditions of supervision. The Act established specific requirements for how restrictive supervision conditions can be imposed and reviewed, and created a County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to advise on county probation administration.
Standard probation conditions are set by the sentencing court and include regular reporting to a probation officer, remaining in the county or state without permission, no new criminal conduct, drug and alcohol testing, restitution, and any treatment or programming ordered by the court.
Probation violations are handled by the sentencing court, which can continue probation, modify conditions, or revoke and impose incarceration.
County probation contact information for all 67 counties is listed on the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections website. For example, Allegheny County Adult Probation is at 564 Forbes Avenue, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15219.
Voting rights in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not permanently bar voting based on felony convictions. People who have been released from incarceration, including those on parole, can register and vote. Only people who are currently serving a sentence of imprisonment - meaning physically incarcerated in a state or county facility - are ineligible to vote. People on probation and on parole are eligible to vote in Pennsylvania.
Reporting and your supervision officer
This section is for the person on supervision. On parole, your officer is a DOC employee at a parole office in the district where you are living. Report to the district office within 48 hours of release as instructed. Know your conditions.
On probation, your officer works for the county adult probation and parole department for the county where you were sentenced or are living under supervision. Contact your probation officer through the county probation office.
Contact before you act. Any address change requires prior written permission on parole. Any travel outside the district requires prior written permission. Employment changes must be reported within 72 hours.
For families: use the DOC Inmate Locator for state prison inmates and the DOC Parolee Locator for parolees. For county probation matters, contact the county adult probation office directly.
Violations: what families should know
For parole violations, the Parole Board determines the response including recommitment to prison. Technical parole violations have recommitment ranges set by parole guidelines. When recommitted as a technical violator, the person does receive credit for time in good standing on parole toward the maximum sentence.
For probation violations, the sentencing court holds the hearing and can modify, continue, or revoke probation.
In both cases: get an attorney immediately. Document mitigating circumstances. Show up.
Early termination and getting off supervision
For parole, ORS 144.083 - in Pennsylvania, the Board can grant early discharge when supervision is no longer needed.
For probation, the sentencing court can terminate probation early on petition.
Pennsylvania has a process for expungement and record sealing of certain convictions. Getting off supervision is not expungement; they are separate. An attorney is the right resource.
[Internal link block to render at foot of article:]
- See every prison and jail in Pennsylvania: /prisons/pennsylvania
- Send mail or photos to someone in Pennsylvania: InmateAid mail and photos service
- Send money to someone in Pennsylvania: InmateAid send money
- Search arrest records in Pennsylvania: Arrest Record Search (honestly labeled affiliate)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between parole and probation?
Parole is granted by the Pennsylvania Parole Board after serving the minimum prison sentence. Probation is court-imposed and supervised by county adult probation departments. They are separate systems with different controlling authorities.
How does indeterminate sentencing work in Pennsylvania?
Courts impose both a minimum and maximum sentence. A person becomes eligible for parole after the minimum. If parole is denied or revoked, the person can be held until the maximum.
What is the 2017 MOU between the Board and DOC?
A 2017 agreement combining parole supervision under DOC while keeping the Parole Board as the decision-making authority. The Board grants and revokes parole; DOC field staff do the day-to-day supervision.
How do I find someone in Pennsylvania state custody?
Use the DOC Inmate Locator for people in state prison, or the Parolee Locator for people on parole. Both are on the PA DOC website and updated daily. Call 800-677-0330 for assistance.
Are there two separate search tools in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The Inmate Locator covers state prison inmates; the Parolee Locator covers people on parole. They are separate tools, both on the DOC website.
What is the home plan requirement in Pennsylvania?
Before release, an incarcerated person must submit a home plan describing where they will live. DOC reentry staff help develop it and it must be approved before release.
Who supervises probation in Pennsylvania?
County adult probation and parole departments, which are county agencies serving the courts. Not the state Parole Board or DOC. Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties has its own probation office.
What did Act 115 of 2019 change?
It reformed probation with restrictive conditions, establishing requirements for how those conditions can be imposed and reviewed, and created a County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee.
What is the 2025 CLEAR Commission reform?
In January 2025, the CLEAR Commission required DOC to develop an Internal Affairs policy for Parole Field Services, creating formal accountability for parole supervision activities.
Can people on parole vote in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Only people physically incarcerated are ineligible to vote in Pennsylvania. People on parole and probation are eligible to register and vote.
What happens if someone violates parole in Pennsylvania?
The Parole Board determines the response. Technical violations have recommitment ranges set by parole guidelines. When recommitted as a technical violator, credit is given for time on parole in good standing.
What are standard parole conditions in Pennsylvania?
Report to the district office within 48 hours; live only at the approved residence; maintain regular contact with supervision staff; report employment changes within 72 hours; get written permission before leaving the district. =====================================================