Elk County PA Prison

Elk County PA Prison basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 814-776-5318

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Elk County PA Prison is a medium-security detention center located at 250 Center St
PO Box 448 Ridgway, PA which is operated locally by the Elk County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Elk County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Ridgway Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

Inmate Calling: A telephone is located in each housing unit for inmates use and is operational during times designated by the Warden. Phone calls are a privilege and can be taken away by a Supervisor. There is a twenty (20) minute time limit on all calls. Inmates are permitted a reasonable amount of outgoing phone calls per day, as long as use of the telephone is not being abused or dominated by an individual or group. Inmates may opt to purchase calling cards in denominations of $10.00 or $20.00 or their family and friends may setup an account to accept collect calls.

Commissary – An inmate may order commissary weekly by completing an order form and having the money debited from his/her inmate account. The Commissary offers a variety of items consisting of grooming aids, snacks and personal hygiene items. A list of items offered are posted in each Housing Unit.

If an inmate is considered indigent status the Commissary Officer will provide the inmate with an indigent pack including a pencil, writing paper and personal hygiene items.

Inmate Mail –

When sending correspondence to an inmate, please be sure to include the inmate's name. For example:

John Q. Public

Elk County Prison

225 Center Street
P.O. Box 448

Ridgway, PA 15853

Providing this information will allow us to deliver the mail more efficiently. Any mail received with an illegible, partial, or missing return address, or that contains tape or labels, will be returned to the post office.

Some mail may be refused if deemed inappropriate for distribution into the institution. For more information, please refer to the Public Information Brochure. In addition, please do not send: envelopes, stamps, copy paper, writing paper, clothing, undergarments, sneakers or personal checks.

visitation Info

Elk County Prison – Visitation

Visits are a privilege that may be revoked by jail staff, at any time, for cause.  We will not tolerate abuse or foul language. If this occurs, a visitor will be asked to leave the premises. No exceptions will be made, and the Warden will not accept appeals.  If you have been incarcerated in the Elk County Prison you will not be permitted to visit unless you are an immediate family member.

When visiting the prison, please adhere to the following guidelines which have been established for the security of our institution as well as the safety and well being of staff, inmates, and visitors.

      •  no weapons of any kind

      •  no tobacco or tobacco products  
      •  no food     

Visitors must be eighteen (18).

Upon your arrival report to the lobby officer and sign in. Give your name and identification. Lockers are provided for storage of personal items during your visit.  Accepted forms of identification are as follows:

      •  valid photo driver's license

      •  photo identification card issued by the PA Department of Transportation

      •  valid passport with picture identification

      •  valid photo military card

      •  valid photo I.D. accompanied by documentation with proof of age

The following dress code must be adhered to by visitors:

No halter tops, half shirts, tube tops, "short shorts," micro-mini skirts, fishnet stockings, see-through blouses, or provocative garments: blouses, shirts, and tops must extend to or beyond the belt line. Jail staff reserve the right to deny anyone visiting privileges because of inappropriate dress.

Any violation of the regulations may result in termination of a visit and suspension of future visitation privileges.    

To visit an inmate, you must first be on his/her visit list. Inmates choose who they want to have on their list.  If you would like to visit someone and you are not on his/ her visit list, please write to him/her and provide your full name, address, telephone number, and date of birth (this information is required to be an approved visitor).

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL VISITS ARE RECORDED AND SUBJECT TO MONITORING AND DIVULGING