SCI Mercer

State Prison

Last Updated: February 12, 2024
Address
801 Butler Pike, Mercer, PA 16137
Beds
1489
County
Mercer
Phone
724-662-1837
Email
ra-crpadocsecretary@pa.gov
Mailing Address
PO Box 33028, St Petersburg, FL 33733

SCI Mercer is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed

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 State - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Securus Tech®, 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 JPAY - Pennsylvania SCI. 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 SCI Mercer

You can support your loved ones at SCI Mercer on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 724-662-1837.

Located at 801 Butler Pike in Mercer, PA, SCI Mercer carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. SCI Mercer offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

SCI Mercer is a minimum-security state prison housing around 1,500 adult male inmates across 37 buildings, including thirteen housing units with a mix of dormitory-style and multiple occupancy cells. Inmates nearing the end of their sentences can join the Community Work Program, aiding local communities through tasks like painting, park cleaning, and food bank assistance.

Vocational training and certification opportunities are available in automotive repair, custodial maintenance, computers, and various construction trades. Inmates lacking a diploma can pursue educational classes, including GED preparation. Additionally, SCI Mercer operates the CARE Canine Program, partnering with Stray Haven Animal Shelter for dog training, benefiting both inmates and adoptable dogs.

Originally a State Regional Correctional Facility, SCI Mercer transitioned to a State Correctional Institution in 2008. It sits on 304 acres and operates solely on electrical power, equipped with emergency generators and a wastewater treatment plant. The inmate population stands at 1,489, managed by a staff of 440.

The Education Building, originally a bowling alley, now hosts educational programs offering academic education up to GED level and vocational training in various fields. All vocational programs offer official certifications. Inmates nearing release participate in the Community Work Program, contributing labor to local governmental and nonprofit agencies, enhancing community relations and fostering a strong work ethic.

Projects completed by the CWP crew include painting, yard work, fairground cleanup, highway litter cleanup, and assistance at local food banks and fire departments. The program aims to instill a sense of self-worth and responsibility while providing valuable assistance to society.

Inmate Locator

SCI Mercer maintains a database of current inmates and their locations within the system. To locate an inmate, begin by using the DOC locator tool, which requires entering the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name, allowing for variations in spelling.

If unable to locate the desired information through free resources, users may opt to use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment. While this option incurs a small fee, it provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Get an Arrest Record immediately.

Visitation Information

In-person visitation is available at all DOC facilities. Some visiting rules have changed, so please be sure to read this entire page and check out the updated Visiting Rules page, as well as the Visitor Guide before scheduling an in-person visit with an incarcerated loved one. This page also contains instructions on how to schedule a no-cost video visit.​

In-Person Visitation

All in-person visits must be scheduled online at least three days in advance.

  • Schedule a visit.
  • You will see available timeslots, based on your loved one’s specific housing assignment, when you log in.
  • Each inmate is permitted four in-person visits per month, one of which may be on a weekend; in-person visits are guaranteed to be at least one hour long.
  • Four visitors are permitted with one inmate at a time. (Exception: At Quehanna Boot Camp, two visitors are permitted at a time.)
  • All visitors must clear all security procedures and comply with all visiting room rules.
  • Notice on Cancellations: Visits may be canceled for several reasons. You will be notified by email if a cancellation occurs. Please check the email associated with your account the morning of your scheduled visit.
  • At the time of arrival and departure, the visitor may exchange a brief hug and kiss with their incarcerated loved one. There shall be no excessive displays of affection.

Video Visitation

Video visitation is a free service offered to inmates and authorized visitors. All inmates are eligible to participate. Rules for video visits are generally the same as those for in-person visits at a facility. All non-legal video visits are monitored and recorded. Please review our detailed Visitor Guide prior to your visit.

If you are an attorney, legislator or other professional visitor:

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.