Facility Overview
Blair County Jail sits in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, right in the heart of the county. It’s a county-run facility that holds people awaiting trial, serving short sentences, or waiting transfer to state prison. We’re talking medium-security setup mostly, with some max for higher-risk folks. Capacity runs around 300 beds, but it often pushes that with doubles and temporary overflow. They house men, women, and occasionally juveniles in separate units. Protective custody and RHU (restrictive housing unit) keep things segregated for safety.
Day-to-day, it’s your standard county jail. Inmates come from local courts in Altoona, Hollidaysburg, and surrounding towns. No long-termers here unless sentences are under a year or so. We’ve seen it packed during court weeks, which means less rec time and more lockdowns.
Location and Contact Information
The full address is 2117 Inner Loop Road, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Phone the main line at (814) 693-3405 for general questions. Want the roster or inmate info? Call the same number and ask for records—they’ll point you right. No direct email listed, but the county site has a contact form. Fax is (814) 693-3794 if you need to send paperwork.
| Department | Phone | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Main Jail | (814) 693-3405 | Inmate info, visits |
| Records | (814) 693-3405 | Roster lookup |
| Warden’s Office | (814) 693-3400 | Complaints, policy |
Check the official Blair County Prison page for updates. Policies shift, so call ahead.
How to Access the Blair County Jail Roster
Finding someone on the Blair County Jail roster isn’t always straightforward. No fancy public online portal like some big-city jails. Best bet? Hit up the inmate locator through Pennsylvania’s statewide system at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov. Punch in the name or DOC number, and it’ll show if they’re there or supervised elsewhere.
Can’t find ’em online? Call the jail directly. Officers manning the desk know the roster cold—they pull it up on their computers quick. We’ve had families say it took two calls during shift change to get through, but persistence pays. Expect basic info: booking date, charges, bond amount. No medical or location inside the jail.
Pro tip: Search by full name and date of birth if aliases pop up. And yeah, the roster updates daily, but releases happen fast—sometimes overnight.
Visiting Information
Visits are non-contact, through glass with phones. Hours depend on the unit. Males in RHU: Mondays 5-6 PM. Protective custody guys: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 5-6 PM, Saturdays 12-1 PM. Women and general pop have set blocks too—call to confirm your inmate’s schedule.
Dress code’s strict: no sleeveless tops, shorts, tight pants, or anything sheer. Undergarments show? Turn around. They’ve got a list at the door. Arrive 15 minutes early; pat-downs and metal detectors are routine. Kids under 16 need birth certs. No more than 2 adults per inmate.
Schedule? It’s first-come, first-served mostly, but some units require sign-up. Weekends fill up. One thing we always tell families: bring ID for everyone 18+. And if you’ve visited before, they might fast-track you.
Visiting Hours Summary
| Unit | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Male RHU | Monday | 5-6 PM |
| Male PC | Tue, Wed, Sat | 5-6 PM; 12-1 PM Sat |
| Female/General | Call to confirm | Varies |
Recent news mentioned issues with strip searches for visitors—court case ongoing. Verify rules before heading out. Source: Altoona Mirror article.
Inmate Communication
Phones run through Encartele. Inmates call out; you set up a prepaid account. Calls cost about $0.21/minute, all recorded and monitored. No three-way calls or blocks—staff listens.
Mail’s standard: stamped envelopes to 2117 Inner Loop Road, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. No care packages, just letters and photos (up to 5×7, no Polaroids). They scan everything for contraband. Email? Not directly, but some tablets allow messaging via third-party like JPay—check with the jail.
Video visits? Not widely advertised here. Call to see if they’ve added kiosks. Families tell us mail takes 2-3 days to reach inmates, phones are reliable but eat funds fast.
Sending Money to Inmates
Use JailATM for quick deposits. Lobby kiosk takes cash ($5-100 bills), no coins. Online or app works too—add to commissary or phone account instantly. Money orders by mail to the jail, inmate’s name and ID# on it.
Commissary covers hygiene, snacks, stamps. Weekly spending limits around $75. We’ve heard inmates get $10-15 startup if indigent. Track your deposit online; it posts same day via kiosk.
- Kiosk: At the jail lobby, 24/7 access.
- Online: JailATM.com, create account with inmate ID.
- Phone: 877-810-5247 for help.
One common gripe: fees bite, about 5% per deposit. But it’s safer than mailing cash.
Daily Life at This Facility
Wake up at 6 AM, count, breakfast slop—oatmeal, eggs if lucky. Lockdown till 8, then jobs like kitchen, laundry for $1/day. Rec’s 1 hour outside if weather’s good, gym otherwise. Meals at 11, 4, 8—think bologna sandwiches, mystery meat.
Programs? AA meetings, GED classes, some counseling. Church on Sundays. TV in dayrooms: sports, news. Showers three times a week, 5 minutes each. Pods hold 20-40, officers rotate shifts.
Reality check: fights happen, especially weekends. Medical’s basic—nurse on call, doc weekly. Mental health? Improving but stretched. Inmates say food’s edible, portions small. Families, send stamps for writing home.
History and Background
Built in the 1970s, expanded in the 90s for more beds. Been through riots in the 80s over overcrowding—state stepped in. Recent upgrades: new HVAC, body scanners at entrance. Population spiked post-COVID with court backlogs.
Notable? That civil rights suit over visitor searches hit headlines last month. County fighting dismissal. Shows they’re under scrutiny like many jails.
How to Get There
From Altoona: Take US-22 west 5 miles, exit Inner Loop Rd. Plenty parking. Public transit? Limited—PAT bus to Hollidaysburg, then Uber. Nearest hotels: Holiday Inn Express (2 miles), Comfort Inn Altoona (4 miles).
Drive safe; rural roads wind. Gas up in town—cheap stations off 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the current Blair County Jail roster online?
Use Pennsylvania’s inmate locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov—enter name or ID. If no luck, call (814) 693-3405; staff pull the roster fast. Updates daily, but call for releases.
Can I visit an inmate at Blair County Jail today?
Check unit hours: RHU Mondays 5-6 PM, PC Tue/Wed/Sat. No walk-ins without ID; dress modest. Call ahead—schedules shift with lockdowns.
How much does it cost to put money on an inmate’s books?
JailATM charges small fees, like 5% online. Kiosk’s free for cash. Funds hit commissary or phone same day—start with $25 to test.
What can I send in mail to Blair County Jail inmates?
Letters, 5×7 photos only—no packages or colored paper. Address with full name and ID#. Expect 2-3 day delivery after scan.
Does Blair County Jail have video visitation?
Not standard yet—call to confirm kiosks. Phones via Encartele work best for now. Tablets might add video messaging soon.