Franklin County PA Jail

Franklin County PA Jail basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 717-264-9513

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Franklin County PA Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 1804 Opportunity Ave Chambersburg, PA which is operated locally by the Franklin 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. Franklin County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Chambersburg Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

FCJ Weekender Incarceration Program – In attempting to continue our goal to use the jail beds in the most efficient manner available, save tax dollars and allow offenders to maintain adequate employment, we have developed a weekend incarceration program. This program includes a mandatory participation in community service.

Local government entities, as well as churches and non-profits, will have the ability to use offenders in this program for their projects. Needs such as spring clean up, painting projects and the like are good applications for this program.

Using the form provided, agencies can make a request for weekender volunteers. Weekender Community Service Program Agreement. This form can be faxed or mailed to the Jail. Volunteers will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Direct Supervision – Our move is not just a physical one, rather we have adopted the philosophy of Direct Supervision. In essence, when an individual comes through our door, we are going to assume that they will behave like a normal adult. Should they do so, they will be on a housing unit where they are out of their cell all day, have free access to the phone, television, shower, exercise yard and programs.

Should they choose not to, their privileges will be removed. This operational philosophy has been proved to be effective throughout the country, and we look forward to making it work in Franklin County. As this is a significant change from our current mode of operation, we ask that you would encourage your loved one to adhere to the rules and regulations.

Program Opportunities – One of the biggest benefits to the new jail is a significant increase in program space, and therefore programs. Our programs are all research-based and proved effective .

The two primary building blocks of our approach are Education and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT).

Education – This program includes 70 hours per week (2 instructors 35 hours of program time each), of General Equivalent Diploma (GED), Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and basic reading competency.

This program is operated by Manito, Inc. Nearly 50% of our inmates do not have a high-school diploma. Additionally, in accordance with PA Act 30 of 1997, we offer an actual high-school program for all inmates under the age of 20, who have not graduated. This program is operated by the Lincoln Intermediate Unit.

Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) – The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that we offer is called MRT. Research indicates that this approach reduces recidivism. Read more about MRT here. This is also the primary approach of the Day Reporting Center (DRC), therefore an individual can begin the steps while incarcerated, and continue after release in the DRC, thereby creating a continuum of treatment throughout our system.

Medical Services – Our medical service provider (PrimeCare Medical, Inc) provides all medical, dental and mental health service staff. We are a National Commission on Correctional Health Care

Other Programs Offered – They also offer Stress and Anger Management, Life Skills, Drug and Alcohol Education, Sex Offender Therapy and Job Retention. Later in the year, they plan to offer a Batterers Group.

Additionally, there are several work opportunities, to include the availability of receiving Serv Safe certification through Canteen (our food service vendor).

Franklin County PA Jail – Inmate's Rights and Responsibilities

visitation Info

Franklin County PA Jail – Visitation 

Visiting hours are Monday through Friday from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 

Each inmate may receive 1 visit per week.  

Those in General Population or Work-Release will get a visit of at least an hour.  
Those in a segregation status will receive one ½ hour visit per week.

There will no longer be a visit list, so you will just need to bring a valid government-issued ID card. All new commitments are locked down for a 48-hour quarantine and will not receive visits during that time.