Beginning April 18, friends and family will again be permitted to schedule in-person visits with their unvaccinated loved ones. In-person visitation had previously been restricted to the vaccinated population only. Visiting room play areas for children will reopen, and food and drink vending will also resume. Masks are encouraged for visitors and inmates, but not required.
In addition to resuming in-person visitation, effective April 4, unvaccinated inmates will have the opportunity to return to previous work assignments and participate in off-unit programming and education.
"We're grateful for the sacrifices made over the past two years by DOC staff, inmates, and their loved ones in the interest of health and safety," said DOC Acting Secretary George Little. "With nearly 90 percent of the incarcerated population vaccinated and fewer than 20 active COVID infections throughout our system, we welcome this return to normal."
As facilities return to normal operations, friends and family with previously scheduled visits may receive a cancellation notice due to changes in housing assignments. Visitors are asked to reschedule at cor.pa.gov. No-cost video visitation remains an available as an alternative to onsite visitation. All visits must be scheduled online at least three days in advance.
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters remain available upon request at each state correctional institution.