Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Inmate Search
Individuals arrested in Dauphin County are typically confined in the county jail as inmates. Each inmate is associated with a distinct set of records that include personal identifiers, arrest details, and housing or custody information. These records are maintained as part of the inmate’s official file and are generally accessible to the public through online portals or other authorized channels. The process of locating such information is commonly referred to as an inmate search.
The custody of inmates and the maintenance of inmate records are handled by the Dauphin County Prison, which operates under the oversight of the Dauphin County Prison Board.
Law enforcement responsibilities within Dauphin County are carried out by multiple agencies with arrest authority. Rather than maintaining separate jail rosters for each agency, the county relies on a centralized inmate records system that allows public access to incarceration information. Agencies operating within the county include the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Department, the Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police, the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, and the Swatara Township Police Department, among others.
How to Find an Inmate in Dauphin County Jail
Individuals may seek Dauphin County inmate records for personal, legal, or administrative purposes. The Dauphin County Prison provides several ways to locate an inmate or obtain related documents, including online access, mail requests, and in-person inquiries.
The most direct method is the online inmate search maintained by the Dauphin County Prison. The prison operates a centralized database that allows the public to search for incarcerated individuals. This is the primary and fastest method for locating inmate information in the county.
Inmate records may also be requested by mail. Interested individuals may submit a written request to the Dauphin County Prison at the following address:
Dauphin County Prison Contact
501 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Additionally, in-person inquiries may be made at the prison. Requesters should be prepared to furnish identifying details about the inmate to assist with the search.
It is important to note that the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Department is not responsible for jail operations in the county; instead, it operates as an arm of the court, with responsibilities that include transporting inmates between the prison and the courthouse. The Sheriff’s office is located at
Dauphin County Courthouse
1st Floor, Room 104
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Dauphin County Prison
501 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 780-6800
How to Use the Dauphin County Jail Roster
Dauphin County Prison offers a free inmate search tool on its official website. This tool allows the public to look up individuals currently held at the facility.
To begin, one can visit the prison’s website, scroll slightly until a menu of options appears, and then select "Inmate Lookup." This will open a jail search interface.
There are two ways to search:
- Option 1: Enter the inmate’s first and last name and birth date if that is known
- Option 2: Enter the inmate’s unique identifier, such as a booking number, county ID, or permanent number
After selecting a search option, enter the required information and submit the search. The results will be shown on the next page. A name-based search may return multiple records, especially if no date of birth is included. In that case, the user should review the list and select the correct individual. Searches using a unique identifier typically produce a single, accurate result.
The inmate lookup service is available to the public at no cost.
What Information is Included in the Dauphin County Inmate Roster
A Dauphin County inmate roster provides structured information about individuals held in the facility. The records focus on identification, custody status, and court-related details. Access to this information is guided by the Pennsylvania Open Records Law, which also limits the release of certain sensitive data. Restricted information includes driver’s license numbers, medical or mental health records, details of active investigations, and any files that have been sealed or expunged by the court.
The information generally available to the public includes the following:
- Inmate details: Basic identifying and physical information, such as full legal name, sex, date of birth, height, weight, complexion, hair color and length, and eye color
- Identification information: Official identifiers assigned to the inmate, including booking number, permanent identification number, county or police ID, race, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, and country of birth
- Incarceration details: Current custody and housing information, such as housing unit, block, cell, and bed assignment, along with commitment date, jurisdiction, and projected release date when applicable
- Detainer records: Information on any legal holds issued by other law enforcement agencies or jurisdictions
- Bond information: Bail-related details, including case number, bond type, bond amount, percentage required, total bond value, and the party who posted the bond
- Charge information: Details of the alleged offenses, including offense date, statutory code, charge description, grade, and degree
- Hearing information: Court-related dates, showing when the inmate has appeared or is scheduled to appear before a judge
Contact Details for Dauphin County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
Individuals awaiting trial or serving a sentence in Dauphin County are housed at the Dauphin County Prison. Members of the public seeking official information, submitting written inquiries, or visiting in person may contact the prison directly using the details below:
Email: DCPrisonBoard@dauphincounty.gov
While the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Office does not administer or manage the county prison, it performs related statutory functions, including serving warrants, providing courtroom security, maintaining public order, and transporting inmates between the prison and the court facilities. For general inquiries related to inmate transport, warrants, or court-related matters, members of the public may contact the Sheriff’s Office or the other appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Dauphin County Sheriff’s Office
Dauphin County Courthouse
1st Floor Room 104
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6590
Dauphin County Prison
Summary Contact Information:
|
Category |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Dauphin County Prison website |
https://www.dauphincounty.gov/government/support-services/prison |
|
Prison phone |
(717) 780-6800 |
|
Inmate search |
Available on the Prison’s Inmate Search website |
|
Prison email | |
|
Sheriff’s department website |
https://www.dauphincounty.gov/government/publicly-elected-officials/sheriff |
|
Sheriff’s department phone |
(717) 780-6590 |
Jail Facility Overview in Dauphin County
Dauphin County has a single primary jail facility: the Dauphin County Prison, which serves as the main correctional institute for individuals awaiting court proceedings, as well as those serving short-term sentences. The facility is located in Harrisburg.
Dauphin County Prison typically holds approximately 800 to 1,000 inmates per month. Incarcerated individuals are placed within the facility using an internal classification system, which determines housing assignments based on custody, safety, and operational needs.
|
Agency |
Office and Mail Address |
Phone Number |
Office Hours |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dauphin County Prison |
Dauphin County Prison Contact 501 Mall Road Harrisburg, PA 17111 |
(717) 780-6800 |
The prison does not maintain standard public hours. |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Dauphin Prison
Inmates’ commissary accounts are generally automatically set up as soon as they are committed to prison. There are three ways for members of the public to add money to the accounts of loved ones who are incarcerated at Dauphin Prison.
Individuals can post remotely; this is generally a service provided by the third-party contractor. One can find a guide on how to create an account and send money to any inmate on the contractor’s web page.
Members of the public can also drop off a money order in the drop box situated in the front entry of the prison.
Use of the kiosk in the prison lobby is also accepted. Individuals who want to send money to an inmate can use the kiosk in the lobby to make credit and cash deposits into the inmate’s account. While cash deposits are automatically processed into an inmate’s account, credit card payments take up to 3 hours.
Additionally, Dauphin Prison allows individuals to send money orders to inmates via mail. However, these must be addressed to the Dauphin Prison, to the attention of the Business Officer.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
Law enforcement agencies operating within Dauphin County do not maintain separate, agency-specific inmate databases. Instead, inmate records are consolidated at the county level. Dauphin County Prison serves as the central repository for custody information and provides an online inmate search system that allows the public to look up current inmates and related custody records.
Dauphin County also operates a Work Release program that functions in coordination with the Dauphin prison. The program allows eligible incarcerated individuals to reside in a structured community corrections setting while remaining under county supervision. Participants are typically monitored electronically and must comply with strict program conditions.
Information about individuals assigned to the work release program is not published in a standalone online database. Members of the public may obtain limited status information by contacting the appropriate facility directly or by reviewing relevant court records, which may reference work release placement as part of a sentencing order or release condition.
Work release contact numbers:
- Female Work Release Center: (717) 780-7001
- Male Work Release Center: (717) 780-7002
Statutory restrictions apply to certain inmate records.
|
Facility |
Public Jail Roster Availability |
Method of Access |
|---|---|---|
|
Dauphin County Prison |
Available to the public |
Online inmate roster |
|
Dauphin County Work Release Center |
Available (limited) |
Direct contact with the center or review of court records |
Dauphin County Visitation Rules and Schedules
Dauphin County Prison maintains a formal visitation policy. All inmates are eligible to receive visitors, provided visitors meet the established requirements. Visitation operates on schedules posted in each housing unit, and these schedules may change at any time.
To maintain the safety and security of detainees or inmates, staff, the facility, and visitors, prison staff do not provide visitation dates or times to the public. It is the inmate’s responsibility to inform visitors of their assigned visitation schedule, applicable rules and regulations, and any schedule changes.
Visitors are required to follow all conduct standards, including
- Maintaining appropriate behavior and refraining from disruptive actions or profane language
- Properly supervising children at all times
- Not entering the facility under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Failure to comply with visitation rules will result in the denial of visitation privileges.
All visitors must be electronically registered in the visitation database and present a valid photo identification. Visitors are subject to a search of their belongings and must pass through a walk-through or hand-held metal detectors.
Each inmate is permitted one non-contact visit per week, lasting up to 50 minutes. A maximum of two visitors may attend per visit, including children. If more than two visitors are approved, inmates may rotate visitors within the allotted time.
Individuals who do not qualify for visitation, such as those currently on parole, those released from incarceration within the past six months, or individuals disapproved by the Warden, may submit a written request for reconsideration by mail to the Warden.
Visitation will be denied if visitors
- Arrive after the designated sign-in time
- Fail to present valid identification
- Do not comply with the dress code
- Are victims of the inmate’s alleged offense
- Have suspended visitation privileges
Visitors are encouraged to review Dauphin County Prison Visitation Rules for detailed instructions and requirements before planning a visit.
Mailing and Commissary Information
Mail procedures at Dauphin County Prison vary depending on whether the correspondence is personal or legal.
Personal Mail
Personal mail is sent through the United States Postal Service to the prison’s inmate mail processing center. All personal correspondence is scanned and delivered electronically to the inmate’s tablet.
Inmates can send and receive mail while housed at Dauphin County Prison. There is no limit to the amount of mail an inmate may receive; however, all incoming/outgoing mail is subject to inspection for prohibited items (contraband). Legal mail is inspected only in the presence of the inmate.
All mail sent to or from the facility must be properly addressed.
Money Orders
Mail containing money orders must be addressed to the Business Office and include the inmate’s full legal name and Dauphin County Prison (DCP) inmate number inside the envelope. Mailing address for money orders:
Attention: Business Office
501 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Legal Mail
Legal correspondence must be clearly marked as "Legal Mail" and include a verifiable return address. Legal mail should be addressed as follows:
Inmate Name, DCP#
Dauphin County Prison
501 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Friends/family members may deposit funds into an inmate’s commissary account through approved third-party contractors. Funds may also be submitted by placing a money order in the drop box located at the front entrance of the prison or by using the kiosk available in the facility lobby.